The bar is also required to make all of its old and current sign-in books available to the ABC at all times, which creates a significant storage dilemma. “We ran out of room at our tiny bar,” says Battles, who adds that she and her husband have had to resort to storing old membership materials at their home.
“The revision in rules in my opinion is a direct response to the change in times and commission being progressive to the need for change,” says Bottego, “The change in membership time [in my opinion] allows the new member to take advantage of the social setting sooner, but again the structure for [a] private club is much more than just a place to drink.”
So now that this is happening, here’s what I’ve learned and some tips:
Instead of racking up tons of membership cards and carrying them around in your wallet or losing them somewhere in your car, you can keep a photo of your membership card on your phone. Pro tip: Save the photo in your favorites.
1. You don’t have to be 21. You can be 18 and up and still be a member if the establishment allows people under the drinking age.
2. Members can bring up to five guests with them. All guests have to sign in on the guest log.
3. If you’re inside a “private club” and an ABC officer asks to see your membership card, you need to be able to show it or qualify as someone’s guest. (This is rare, but could happen.)
4. Breweries are different and don’t classify as “private clubs.”
5. There are a crazy amount of alcohol laws made a long time ago that really don’t apply anymore because, well, it’s 2016 and time has turned the tide.
