University students under 21 can pick up any number of entertainment guides to check concert or show times each week, but what they can’t pick up is a ticket for many of these shows if the venue hosting the event serves alcohol.
The times may be changing however, and Oregon could join a number of states that allow minors and people legally allowed to buy alcohol to congregate in the same area. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will decide at a Dec. 13 and 14 session whether to amend a state law so that establishments hosting music concerts or art shows, but also serving alcohol, can allow minors into their building and in the same rooms where liquor is being sold and consumed.
“As someone who is in the industry, I’m a big supporter of this … someone who is 18 to 20 years old is more likely to spend good money to watch a show,” said Veselina Karakoleva, a marketing and promotions person for Diablo’s Downtown Lounge.
While enlarged profits look appealing, the risk that establishment owners face are scaring some in this nightlife industry.
“If someone is standing there with a beer, how do you stop him from handing it to his under-age buddy … or how do you stop someone from dumping a shot into a Coke so that nobody working can tell they are drinking alcohol?” said Jeff Gaulton, co-owner of Taboo. “I don’t see the reward from the risk of getting a violation and possibly losing a license” for a few years.
Local venues such as Diablo’s or John Henry’s host music concerts, but do not allow minors, any person under the age of 21, to attend. Taboo and the McDonald Theatre serve alcohol at their shows, but keep minors out of the areas where the drinks are served.
These venues are subject to the same regulations as restaurants and hotels that serve alcohol, but they serve multiple functions unlike their counterparts.
“This rule was written 10-plus years ago… so that minors in certain venues would not be in alcohol environments,” said Dan McNeil, the director for licensing at the OLCC. “Now many businesses have multiple functions and aren’t set types of operations. This amendment is intended to take out language that is specific to a venue, and put in language with regards to alcohol control.”
The OLCC laws known as “minor postings” are displayed on signs posted at the entrance of establishments serving alcoholic drinks. Minors face various entry restrictions depending on the sign posted. Some block minors from entering any part of the premises or just certain rooms, while others allow minors in the site during specified times.
The possible change would come in the form of an amendment to the minor postings so that each establishment could tailor its own request to the OLCC. The request would detail how the establishment would limit the access of alcohol to minors, such as having wristbands for those of drinking age, different color cups, or extra staff on board to watch the crowd.
If this change is accepted, the liquor license-holder faces two hurdles, said OLCC spokesman Tom Erwin. The first is having the commission approve the request to allow minors in their establishment. The second hurdle petitioners will face is a review of the establishment’s history, whether the place and its owners have followed the rules in the past, Erwin said.
Much of the chatter about this issue flows out of Portland, where a vibrant music and art scene could benefit from a rule change, but some local business owners don’t think they will see any increase of profit.
“You’ve got more people in the room that aren’t paying for drinks, and I’ve never figured out a way to make money on all-ages shows,” said Keith Martin, co-owner of John Henry’s. “The concert industry is taking a big hit” with slack concert sales, and “this is a trend being seen across the country. I just don’t know where the cost breakdown and the return on investment is.”
Financial gain and access to cultural events may be the big motivations for many involved in this debate, but with alcohol come the potential dangers and that will have to be addressed.
“Intoxication comes with a certain set of responsibilities. There’s a certain level of responsibility as a business owner that you have to avoid putting people in a situation they can’t handle,” Gaulton, the Taboo co-owner, said. “I would take a long, hard look at it because it would increase business, but I also think it could be a bad idea … just look at all the underage drinking and driving accidents recently.”
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