By STEVE GANEY

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Five local bars got a little too creative with their online advertisements, violating state liquor advertisement regulations through their promotions on Facebook.

Cpl. Jason Gilbert of the Warrensburg Police Department logged into Facebook on Oct. 2 and found the bars were advertising specific drink specials and prices. Most of the advertisements noted were posted in September, although some were found as far back as May.

While bars are allowed to advertise specials, they cannot list the specific discounted prices.

“You can say ‘two-for-ones’ or something without the price,” Gilbert said. “It’s when you advertise a specific price that’s below your normal everyday price that you’re violating the rules.”

Gilbert said the bars were reported to the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, which could administer administrative sanctions.

“That can be anything from a fine, to a temporary suspension of their liquor license,” he said. “It usually starts with a written warning, but that depends on the nature of the violation and if it was their first offense.”

Gilbert said this is not the first instance he has found of this kind of violation occurring.