Outside Alcohol

[calmanny]

Can licensed establishments (Karaoke rooms, pubs, etc.) really fine people for brining in outside alcohol? I was given a pretty cool-looking flask for my birthday, and I figured it'd be a good way to avoid spending the crazy amounts that these places charge for drinks, but I've seen signs in a few venues threatening fines of around $500

Comments

[wendykh]

They can't, but they can report you for bringing it in and you can be fined by the city. Also, they can be fined by the city for allowing in outside alcohol (a big no no depending on their license) and then sue you for the fine. I have seen the latter done.

That said, if ou do it just yk, do it discreetly and don't be super obvious. In other words don't sip water all night and then look good and tipsy after a bit. One thing I've been known to do on St. Pat's is buy a bailey's and then top it off with my own flask. The amount of drinking required to celebrate the parade properly here would require bank financing if I didn't bring my own. ;-)

[calmanny]

Thanks, Wendy! I appreciate your response, since I honestly didn't realise this was a city bylaw.

I suppose it was silly of me to ask about something that's clearly against the wishes of the businesses. I just wasn't sure if these places were being unfair (it's common for restaurants to allow outside wine, for example) or if it was actually a law. Since it's the latter, I'll happily abide by it. :-)

[kaylla_334]

I'm not sure they can fine you per say, but they can sure as hell kick you out and/or conifscate it.

[kaylla_334]

duh? These places make money out of the booze, not out of the karaoke machine

[misskitty_79]

::giggles::

You win one internets. :)

[mellybean71]

Please forgive me, I can't think of any way to phrase this that doesn't sound preachy and/or pretentious...

It's sort of wrong to bring your own supply to a place that makes money off selling booze. Maybe a better idea is to have a drink or two before you get there? Yes, the prices are outrageous but you wouldn't bring a ham sandwich to a restaurant would you?

[wendykh]

While I can understand this sentiment, it really depends on how much of a drinker one is. If you go and order one drink an hour which is what they are expecting generally, and top it off with your own supply because you happen to be a harder drinker, well, I don't see the problem. Pre drinking is a good stop gap measure, however this results in being ready to go home 2 hours after you arrive. Some people, if they drink one drink an hour, which is about what most non wealthy people can afford in this town, will be sober all night. This really ruins the fun. I am not one personally, but I do know people who if they can't top up won't bother going out at all as it's no fun.

[misskitty_79]

If you can't have fun while sober, that may be a problem you should look into.