transplantella
Member Profile
Redline denied me entry to their prestigious premises last night because I did not have a drivers license with me.
I am 55 years old. No one, believe me NOBODY could possibly mistake me for someone who might possibly be under 21.
Brilliant move Redline. Guess who won't be coming back yo your place--ever? With or without a drivers license.
Sorry that happened, transplantella. Honestly though, I believe you have to have it on you regardless - sort of like proof of insurance for your car. Maybe they had an infraction or warning recently and think they may be checked-up on by liquor control?
I've read the law and I'm not 100% clear on this, but I've been told by more than one acquaintance in the bar biz that they won't let in ANYONE who doesn't have something on them proving their age, even if that person is their own grandmother. Reason being, if the LCB shows up and asks if they can prove that everyone in their establishment is over 21, they've got to be able to say yes.
My own parents got carded at the Vogue years ago, and they're in their sixties! And even though the bouncer was a friend of mine and my band was playing there that night, they wouldn't have gotten in without their IDs. It's got nothing to do with how old you look.
It is my understanding that the law in WA state is "no id, no service, no exceptions".
LOL, datamuse, your parents just got major points in my book - the Vogue?! :)
austin
Member Profile
I've heard the same thing as datamuse, and I know of at least a couple places that won't let you in without ID even if you aren't buying alcohol. Also when you're buying retail booze everyone present at the point of purchase has to show ID. Even though that one is less enforced, my older sister wasn't allowed to purchase a six pack of beer once because she had a 12 year old austin in tow and I was unable to produce ID stating I was of legal drinking age. And I was with someone who was buying beer at met market the other day and we both got carded. When Fremont PCC was in its "old" location I was carded for trying to buy henry weinhard rootbeer on two different occasions by two different people. That was my favorite. Also the redline is gross.
GenHillOne, my mother used to work for an art school--she's seen it all! Nothing much fazes them. (That said, they wouldn't have been there if I hadn't been playing that night!)
transplantella
Member Profile
So can we now declare common sense to be legally dead?
Even if some policing agency were to bust into Redline looking for underage drinkers, I'm pretty sure that drivers license or no, they wouldn't be looking at me for a cuffing and stuffing.
Foolish nonsense.
transplantella, you're assuming that WA liquor laws are common sense - there's a ton about them that are nonsense. Misfocused and some of the worst in the country if you ask me.
Jiggers
Member Profile
It is their right to refuse. It doesn't matter how old you look or are. I forgot my I.D. once and knew I wasn't going to gain entrance somwhere else because I didn't know anyone their. Lessons learned the hardway. I didn't take it personal because it is the law to have a legal I.D. to drink in a bar. No if's and's or butts about it. Maybe Scott(the owner of Redline)is very happy now that his employee is doing his job correctly if he caught this thread.
transplantella - Your experience was unfortunate, but I'm going to agree with some of the others that Redline might have been wanting to "cover their behind."
.
Perhaps they had just been recently cited or spooked because they heard some other business was cited. Who knows? Have you talked to the Redline management to get their take on this?
.
You and I are about the same age, and I have been "carded" before right here in West Seattle. Personally, I thought it was kind of cute, and when the server "guessed" my age at ten years younger than I really am, she just earned herself an extra dollar when it was time to leave a tip!
.
flowerpetal
Member Profile
Transplantella, you are in good company. Governor Gregorie got carded last year in Olympia after a day of volunteering with the hubby on some outdoor project. She was refused service (rightfully) and went home w/out the first husband. And just a few years ago, a lady in her early eighties had just finished a day of Christmas shopping with an adult grandaughter and decided to stop into a hotel lobby bar downtown Seattle for a before dinner drink. She too was turned away for lack of i.d.
Redline is not worth it. It is in your best interest that you have decided not to go back there.
And now I am going to make my own cocktail and sit in the backyard with my sweetie. Want to join us? We won't card you.
RCW 66.16.040 and 66.20.160 are a great start. You must have acceptable valid id on your person to enter a licensed premises. Even the 61 year old Govenor was denied entrance into an Olympia bar (Hannah's) without her id back in July.
It is the application of the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law.
Write a letter to your Representatives (McDermott, Cody, & Nelson) and the Govenor to affect change.
I'm 62, and was carded within the last 3 months...I smile and say "thanks". My question...transplantella, what was your mode of transportation to the Redline? Drive? well, then, no excuse anyway. If you walked or had a ride, well, you're in the clear. But the law is the law...we all understand that.
I figure that if something happened to me while I was out and about, while walking, busing,etc, or driving, it's a good idea to have ID on me, anyway. :)
miws
Member Profile
Yes, an establishment, and it's servers, that sells/serves alcohol can each be heavily fined, and risk closures by the WSLCB, even if the customer w/o I.D. is obviously of age, and well known by the server/establishment.
Mike
transplantella...
carrying your driver's license is a good idea anyway... if you are hurt you can be quickly identified...
and it is useful when you want to stop for a drink:)
Don't get mad at the Redline, contact or rant on
the WSLC board who have the monopoly here in
WA state. I'll bet the bar was cited. I've never been there but I hear nothing but good things about the owners desire to have a great place to go!
Even if some policing agency were to bust into Redline looking for underage drinkers, I'm pretty sure that drivers license or no, they wouldn't be looking at me for a cuffing and stuffing.
No.
However, they may very well cite the Redline for letting someone onto the premises who could not show proof of age.
THAT's what they're guarding against.
Trick
Member Profile
I've dealt with the liquor board numerous times.
They won't check the I.D. of someone who looks over 30.
However, don't blame the Licensee, they're just following the archaic laws this state has.
I always backed up my doorman when it came to I.D.'ing ALL guests at clubs, even fireman and police flipping their badges for free entry.
The WSLCB usually targets venues with live/DJ music, seldom do they go after the neighborhood pub.
villagegreen
Member Profile
As several people have alluded to, they did you a favor by not allowing you in.
C'mon Transplant,
just let "the man" put a microchip in your arm and you'll never have to worry about being carded again. That solves all your problems. . . . .go ahead, it won't hurt a bit. It's just like having a Club Card. . . . .
linda
Member Profile
Used to work for a wine and beer distributor, folks are correct that in this state you are required to carry valid ID when purchasing alcohol at a retailer, restaurant or gaining entry to an over 21 establishment like the Redline. It's not you that will be in trouble for lacking ID, it is the Redine. I seem to recall the first time it happens it's a hefty monetary fine, additional offenses usually mean complete closure of the business for several days (remember a store on Vashon that got caught selling to minors and had their liquor license suspended for a month).
For a business, it's just not worth the risk since the WSLCB agents look like every other customer until they show their ID and start asking questions.
So transplantella, don't take it personally and consider it a Welcome from the State of Washington Liquor Control Board. ;)
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