Question about IDs for alcohol...

[Bushead]

I believe that an establishment, whether a restaurant or grocery store, can serve products and services to whomever they choose.

I know in Virginia there is some law that states that you can drink on the day before your official 21st at a restaurant or something like that. But, most restaurants don't let you do that so there is nothing you can do. They have the choice of who they serve.

I imagine it is the same for the grocery store. Even if you are in the "right" and the law states you don't have to card people who are also with the person purchasing alcohol, an establishment might just be deciding to protect itself to a further extent.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by Bushead

I believe that an establishment, whether a restaurant or grocery store, can serve products and services to whomever they choose.

I know in Virginia there is some law that states that you can drink on the day before your official 21st at a restaurant or something like that. But, most restaurants don't let you do that so there is nothing you can do. They have the choice of who they serve.

I imagine it is the same for the grocery store. Even if you are in the "right" and the law states you don't have to card people who are also with the person purchasing alcohol, an establishment might just be deciding to protect itself to a further extent.

I remember about 5 years ago I visited my friend in Cali for her 21st birthday and we went to 7-11 to grab us a few 40's (I was super underage at the time.. 18) and it was still 10 minutes from midnight of March 13 and the clerk made us WAIT until midnight to ring her up.

Needless to say, I felt like that was overkill.

[BDBohnzie]

List of alcohol laws of the United States by state - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State of Delaware states that no person under 21 can even go into a liquor store.

I would imagine any ID'ing of individuals in an establishment beyond the person purchasing is set by the establishment themselves. Just covering their asses.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

List of alcohol laws of the United States by state - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State of Delaware states that no person under 21 can even go into a liquor store.

I would imagine any ID'ing of individuals in an establishment beyond the person purchasing is set by the establishment themselves. Just covering their asses.

I can see that, but why even have a policy to card both parties when it's so easily gotten around? It just makes a giant hassle for everyone involved. Often, my wife doesn't even bring her purse in to stores. We just know we have to at Kroger because they're being giant d-bags.

[BDBohnzie]

It's a hassle yes, but they are covering their asses. And being in a college town, I would imagine they get underage drinkers by the bus full in there all the time with of-age adults buying them booze. If they keep their liquor license because they card everyone in line, then you still have the option of buying your 30 of Keystone Light when you get groceries. If they get busted, you'll have to make a 2nd stop, like the rest of us schleps here in Maryland (well, certain counties anyways).

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Shoot I just turned 21 in February and I've never been carded. I was buying Alcohol (be it rubbing or otherwise) Since I was 17. It must be the beard.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

I swear I get carded more often buying video games than I do buying booze, and I'm 27 and I look 27.

I have one liquor store near my house that I used to go to a lot and I can only remember being carded there one time. I was chewing gum and for some reason as I was waiting for the guy to swipe my card I blew a big bubble and the guy instantly asked for my ID. I guess that goes to show you, people won't respect you as an adult if you're blowing bubbles with your gum.

[Trample the Elderly]

Alcohol and drugs are readily available at any age at any time, if the price is right. To pretend they aren't is idiotic.

[saden1]

In some states it is the law that you show ID regardless of how old you look and in other's it's left to the discretion of the establishments. Most establishment in WA will always card you because of the potential for fines and imprisonment. ID everyone...better safe than sorry...seems reasonable.

[over the mountain]

state laws are really strict on serving alcohol. last year i know that this kinda new bartender at this real nice bar/restaurant. they were packed. this guy comes up and orders 2 beers. bartender asks for id, looks at it, the guy is over 21 gives him the 2 beers.

the guy was an undercover, busted the bartender for not asking for 2 ids since there were 2 beers. the bar tender as well as the establishment get somethign like a 1000 fine each.

i know you must ask for id before taking cash or handing over any alcohol as well.

the undercover stuff happens or they come into your place at 9:30 pm with their badges and ask to see your liq license even though you have it posted out on your front window b/c they constantly come by to harass you. they just want to come in, flash a badge and pull their shirt up so you can see their gun. pretty f'in lame how some of the younger guys act. then they will try and small talk and hit on the ladies. f'in herbs.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

state laws are really strict on serving alcohol. last year i know that this kinda new bartender at this real nice bar/restaurant. they were packed. this guy comes up and orders 2 beers. bartender asks for id, looks at it, the guy is over 21 gives him the 2 beers.

the guy was an undercover, busted the bartender for not asking for 2 ids since there were 2 beers. the bar tender as well as the establishment get somethign like a 1000 fine each.

i know you must ask for id before taking cash or handing over any alcohol as well.

the undercover stuff happens or they come into your place at 9:30 pm with their badges and ask to see your liq license even though you have it posted out on your front window b/c they constantly come by to harass you. they just want to come in, flash a badge and pull their shirt up so you can see their gun. pretty f'in lame how some of the younger guys act. then they will try and small talk and hit on the ladies. f'in herbs.

I work in the industry, and I've never once seen any ATF or local enforcement come in and flash badges or guns just to flex. As long as your bartenders make sure they see one ID per drink and they card age appropriately, your establishment will never have an issue. Unless you have employees who have otherwise pissed off the powers that be.

What's funny to me is that in Montgomery County they send their own groups of undercover around looking to bust establishments, yet their own stores - that by law sell all the booze that any restaurant in the county is allowed to sell - are wildly inconsistent and stupid about their ID-ing procedures. Ahhhh, government.

[Longtimefan]

A friend of mine runs a beer and wine store here in Maryland only three blocks from my house. He make a point of carding anyome who looks to be under age, or anywhere close to it.

He has come very close to losing his license on more than one occasion for selling to underage patrons. The penalties are stiff and the fines are astronomical, merchants are now taking all necessary precautions to protect themselves.

[FRPLG]

You do live in a college town. I am sure that changes things a little bit. What Scud said is right. They follow the rules...which is pretty easy to do...and they're golden. The only thing I would add is that they also cant serve to someone who is drunk. That one is harder to follow and subject to a great amount of interpretation. A place of business here has been open for 13 years and never once had a violation...that in and of itself is amazing. Then last fall an idiot comes in drunk...the bar-tender who has no idea serves him and they get hit with a 10-day suspension. This place is probably the most diligent place I have ever seen about alcohol and the ABC hits them up. Stupidity.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I'm not sure if I didn't read right, or maybe I'm nuts, but does anyone know why grocery stores still card both people?

I mean I understand the idea of someone "covering their asses", but I don't see how that is going to stop people who are actually trying to do something sketchy. It's a rule that's inconveniencing law-abiding people 99% of the time. If I was buying for someone underage, I'm not taking them through the line with me and handing it off to them inside the store. I think the store is protecting as long as I'M carded. After that, it's MY fault for getting busted for distributing to a minor.

[BDBohnzie]

As discussed above, depending on the establishment, each drink purchased will have to have legal ID to match. In your case, since there are 2 people line to purchase the alcohol, they have to card both per rules of the establishment. Now, if said establishment sells alcohol to a group of 4 people and only cards one, then you have a case to wonder why you 2 are being carded. I've been to places where I've needed to show more than 1 ID to buy a round of drinks. I think the principle is the same here. If you are in line, it's assumed that you are going to imbibe in the alcohol purchased, or at least in the establishment's eyes. Not that I think it's justified, but if you are concerned about it, speak to the store manager and get clarification.

You do realize that the simple way of getting around this is to have one of you not be in line when you buy the alcohol...