After underage adults attempt to enter a New Year’s Eve party, Salty Seal implements new rules.

The new owners of the Salty Seal on Cannery Row noticed something was amiss when they looked at the guest list for their sold-out 2025 New Year’s Eve 21-and-up party. After being tipped off on social media by attendees, co-owner Jade Vucina communicated to co-owner Ian Karafa that several ticketholders were likely under 21 years old. Vucina cross-referenced the list with social media accounts and estimated between 20 and 30 ticket-holders were under the age limit.

“I went through the whole guest list,” Vucina says. Karafa adds, “We saw individuals posting pictures of high school graduation in May 2025 and used that to our advantage.” Salty Seal bouncers were notified, and received a list of suspicious names in advance.

Vucina and Karafa say fake IDs have gotten harder to detect, even with ID scanning equipment. So effective Jan. 1, they started implementing a new policy that will remain in effect indefinitely for patrons in the evening hours (after Salty Seal switches from an all-ages restaurant to a club). Those under 24 are required to be vetted by staff, meaning they must present two forms of identification – such as a birth certificate or passport to prove their age and identity. They are then added to a list and when they return, are required only to present one form of ID, such as a driver’s license when security checks IDs.

Karafa and Vucina view the Monterey Police Department as allies. Karafa approached a Monterey police officer before the festivities began to share potential problems. The officer did not immediately take action since a crime had not yet been committed. One underage person who was denied entry called the police to say other underage patrons were attempting to enter. Vucina, Karafa and the officer were ahead of the game, and the caller was banned from the venue.

Vucina also warned several other local bars about the issue via social media. “If it’s happening here then it’s happening elsewhere,” she says.