Liquor Barn - ID required for everyone in party

I agree with everyone else that the store's rule is definitely a bit draconian, and it shouldn't be required for your wife to show her ID if she's not buying and it's pretty clear she's the same age (or older) than you. But at the same time I'll never understand this attitude of entitlement:

Then the clerk asked for my wife's ID. She is a few years older than me, and usually doesn't carry ID on her person unless she's driving.

I've worked door/bartended/served at enough restaurants, bars, and clubs to be thoroughly annoyed with people who show up at such places and still expect to drink without their ID. Sometimes, I've even seen the "ID-less" get mad at the establishment and the people working there, just because they're too selfish to follow the rules that everyone has to abide by. Why have one if you're not going to actually use it when it's absolutely required? What if you need your ID for something more serious -- say a traffic stop where a cop will check every ID in a car, not just the driver's -- than just buying beer? What's the harm in making sure a small piece of plastic is on you when you leave the house? It's not like carrying an ID is some terrible hardship!

[Robin Garr]

What if you need your ID for something more serious -- say a traffic stop where a cop will check every ID in a car, not just the driver's

Actually, I don't believe that's constitutional.

It's not like carrying an ID is some terrible hardship!

I probably mis-stated this. Her ID is in her purse, and it is usually goes with her wherever she goes. Since this was a quick trip, she left the purse in the car. I know you are making a generalization, but I wouldn't instantly assume "entitled" from this...

I probably mis-stated this. Her ID is in her purse, and it is usually goes with her wherever she goes. Since this was a quick trip, she left the purse in the car. I know you are making a generalization, but I wouldn't instantly assume "entitled" from this...

Okay, nevermind then! There are people though who, for some reason, seem to think carrying an ID is a big hassle. I'll never understand why.

Robin, just because something might be unconstitutional or technically illegal doesn't mean a cop won't do it anyway. Though I'm not sure that in such a situation asking for ID is unconstitutional.

[Robin Garr]

Though I'm not sure that in such a situation asking for ID is unconstitutional.

I'm not a lawyer, but my rough understanding is this: If you're driving, the officer may ask to see your driver's license. The fact that you're operating the car justifies a request that you show the legal document under which you're registered as a driver. For passengers in the car, it's not so clear-cut. The US does not (yet!) have a requirement that individual citizens carry ID at all times. Historically, we think of that as something more aligned with totalitarian dictatorships. However, police may ask for ID if they have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed; and in the touchy situation of a traffic stop, with no witnesses but you and the cop, then defending your constitutional rights may leave you in the position of arguing with an angry cop and trying to persuade a judge to agree with your position on your rights in court later on.

"C'mon, that's their mom. She's not going to give those kids alcohol."


Ha ha ha ha LOL

That is the funniest thing I have ever heard... phhh, yea right.!

by David H. » Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:52 am As my wife comes back in, we ask why they didn't require ID for the teens, and his response was something like, "C'mon, that's their mom. She's not going to give those kids alcohol."

Definitely the joke of the day.

Blessed are the naive/innocent/ignorant. (Your choice.)

I do think that the Liquor Barn isn't left with much choice in the matter: use discretion and risk losing their license, or play it safe and risk making a few customers a little angry.

The choice should be to ID everyone that is buying alcohol and leave it at that. Banning everyone under 21 is a poor business decision and apparently not enforced anyway. So just drop the no one under 21 and card only the people buying booze. If I'm underage and trying to get booze, I'm not walking into the liquor store with the person getting my alcohol. That is taught in underage drinking 101.

Don't allow anyone under 21. End of story. Enforce your own rules/policies. Since there are some liquor stores DO follow their own policies and have yet to go under (everytime I have bought in the store), I fail to see it as a drastic business mistake. If there are any articles/studies/laws on the books regarding such, then I'd like to view them; it would be interesting to see the difference.

If I'm underage and trying to get booze, I'm not walking into the liquor store with the person getting my alcohol. That is taught in underage drinking 101.

Very true. Anyone that pulls this rookie mistake doesn't deserve to be drinking that night anyway

If nothing else, all this thread bumping keeps the thread title at the top of the page, reminding people to bring their IDs to Liquor Barn, whether or not they're buying.

Don't allow anyone under 21. End of story. Enforce your own rules/policies. Since there are some liquor stores DO follow their own policies and have yet to go under (everytime I have bought in the store), I fail to see it as a drastic business mistake. If there are any articles/studies/laws on the books regarding such, then I'd like to view them; it would be interesting to see the difference.

I was refering to the fact that Liquor Barn is so much more than a liquor store. Not allowing customers under 21 to buy all the non-alcoholic items is crazy. But if they choose to keep and post a no one under 21allowed, they should enforce it.

Sidenote: Are people allowed in a true liquor store if under 21, with a parent or not?

I've worked PT liquor/wine sales in Indiana on and off for most of the last 12 years, so I'm pretty familiar with the laws over here. It absolutely drives me bonkers when an employee tells me they can or can't do something dueto an imaginary state law. It might be a store policy, and I'm fine with that, but don't use the cop-out that it is a state law. Case in point, I recently stopped in a liquor store to make a purchase and was told it needed to be in a bag if I intended to take it off premises. Nonsense! Asked to speak with a manager and she repeated the same BS. Since I had time on my hands, I offered to call the ATC in Indianapolis for a ruling...she blinked and let me go out without the paper bag. I've never been pestered about this issue in this store subsequently.
As with any business, they are free to make any policy they'd like, but don't go making up laws and regulations...we have enough already.

Back when i was drinking, we didnt have these problems. We drove 15 minutes, bought our alcohol, put it under the seat.......... then crossed the border back home.

It now is INDIANA law that every person buying alcoholic beverages for carry-out must show ID. Period. Straight package store floorspace is 21 only. Bars and restaurants have floorplan "separations" permitting certain ages in certain areas. Grocery stores, drug strores and mini-marts are all ages BUT cannot sell cold beer to go.

I remember visiting a friend at IU in the early 90's. One of the people I was with at the time was from the area; we went up to the liquor store and it was their policy not to admit anyone under 21. I imagine it had more to do with being near a college campus, but could not be sure if it was the State Law at the time. As Roger mentioned, it's clear the law has been written for such a thing in Indiana.

~In MY days they delivered the beer to the door. . Ok, not really...

My teenage son has been in Liquor Barn with me in the past month. No one said a word or raised an eyebrow. Signs at the door say No one under 21 without parent or guardian.