Theme Camps and Alcohol

[brc-fun]

Hey Kids,

I've been involved in an "official" theme-camps that gifted tea and another that gifted corndogs (porndogs = strap-on corndog). I'm presently camping with a crew that runs an unofficial lounge/bar, and we'd like to come in early, so that set-up is done before the gates open.

My question is:
What sort of extra headaches would we run into as an official theme-camp that served alcohol?

I know the theory. I'd prefer responses from folks who have jumped through the hoops. What are your suggestions?

Thanx All,

Grady

[Box Burner]

What's an official theme camp?

[theCryptofishist]

You will have to fill out the theme camp questionnaire. I don't know if last year's is still on line.
You will have to decide if you will supply drinking vessels. I suggest that you don't. It's just going to increase the amount of moop, and there will be plenty without that. Or you're going to get into the whole health department thing about cleaning glassware. You will have to conform to regulations about ice scoop and maybe where you slice lemons, if you provide lemons that is.
You will have to conform to Nevada laws about serving the under-aged. Have that figured out before you hit the playa.

[Trishntek]

Post signs indicating no one under 21 allowed, ID required and live by that rule. LEO seem to get off seeing your visible recognition of the law.

We premixed vodka lemonade and served it out of a cooler. We also offered absinthe via a strap-on dildo which was cleaned before and after each ummmmm engagement. Rangers and LEO alike witnessed our service and never hassled us.

They did compliment us on the signs and willingness to comply with da law.

[Trishntek]

Post signs indicating no one under 21 allowed, ID required and live by that rule. LEO seem to get off seeing your visible recognition of the law.

We premixed vodka lemonade and served it out of a cooler. We also offered absinthe via a strap-on dildo which was cleaned before and after each ummmmm engagement. Rangers and LEO alike witnessed our service and never hassled us.

They did compliment us on the signs and willingness to comply with da law.

[Digit]

Post signs indicating no one under 21 allowed, ID required and live by that rule. LEO seem to get off seeing your visible recognition of the law.

You will have to decide if you will supply drinking vessels. I suggest that you don't. It's just going to increase the amount of moop, and there will be plenty without that. Or you're going to get into the whole health department thing about cleaning glassware. You will have to conform to regulations about ice scoop and maybe where you slice lemons, if you provide lemons that is.

These are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!! Not only on legality issues but on sanitation as well. Serve NO-ONE, for any reason, no matter what, that is unable to show proof of age, including those that you're camped with. Things to keep in mind...

1. The legal age for drinking, purchasing, and possessing alcohol in Nevada is 21.

2. It is illegal for parents or other adults to allow underage drinking or provide minors (under the age of 21) with alcohol.

3. State law makes public intoxication legal and prohibits any county or city law from making it a public offense. There are exceptions if intoxication is an element in a civil or criminal offense, such as DUI. Being drunk is not a defense or excuse for any criminal act. The Sparks municipal code makes it illegal to provide alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated.

4. Minors are not permitted to hang out in areas of a business where liquor is sold, served, or given away, unless the under age person is an employee and regulations related to such employment are adhered to. This includes hotels, casinos, and restaurants. Minors are barred from entering stand-alone saloons, taverns, and bars where the primary business is serving alcohol. IDs required.

5. It is a misdemeanor to possess or use a fake ID showing the bearer to be 21 or older, not only for buying alcohol and entry into 21+ establishments, but also for any other purpose (like gambling) where proof of age is required. It is a gross misdemeanor to provide fake IDs to people under 21.

6. The legal DUI limit for all Nevada drivers is .08 blood alcohol concentration or above. If a test shows a person under 21 stopped for suspicion of DUI has a blood alcohol concentration of more than .02 but less than .08, their license or driving permit must be suspended for 90 days.

To continue: I'm SERVsafe certified and I can NOT stress enough the difference between 'clean' and 'good enough'. If your glasses (should you provide them) are 'good enough' WASH THEM AGAIN and DO NOT stop washing them until they are 'clean'. There is a significant difference be 'clean' and 'good enough' and the last thing you want is a bunch of people running around getting sick from drinks at your bar.

Keeping foods separate (and cold or hot depending) is also vitally important. Know that you can NOT serve food that is older than 48 hours old and not heated to the proper temperature. Make sure that atleast ONE of your crew is SERVsafe certified or atleast has their food handlers card to let you all know whats what. This is VITAL to your success on both the Legal and Sanitation points of view.

*phew* Thats a mouth full. Hope it helps! [/quote]

[pinemom]

Here here now....First 86 the whole providing a cup idea...
(K.I.S.S.= keep it simple stupid!)

Then there is the business of where you keep your ice and where you keep the scoop for the ice.(both must remain uncontaminated by Nv heath dept.law)

If you are not washing cups, nor serve any type of food, a permit is not required.

Easier to just not bother with fresh fruit in drinks...ie lemmon/limes, do the plastic squeeze lemon/limes. just as good and can be kept sanitary.
As well as those are considered a food.(permit requirement)

Very fine line on this law: Being the owner/operator of a bar in Nevada. Your child can be in the bar(family run), only "unopened" beer or wine can be served by the over 18 but not yet 21 yrs of age child.
You as a parent may give your child a alcoholic beverage, but it is a federal child abuse infraction, if you get your child intoxicated.

[Lassen Forge]

What Piney said. She's run a hyper-successful pub (no, a fucking rocking watering hole) in BRC for a few years, they've had frequent visits by certain members of the regulatory community, and ALWAYS without question come up unscathed.

If ever there was someone who I would trust to steer me right on a bar, its them thar peeps.

BTW - at the Kantina I do shots, and have a healthy supply of plastic shot glasses (because our main stock in trade is vodka shots). I have VERY FEW glass glasses, and those are usually for the staff only, OR for pouring shots into PROVIDED cups (which is my preferred modus operandi!). I do have a limited amount of shot glasses, but they're a PITA.

New next year - people take their shot glasses with them. That way I don't have to watch over them. I also am thinking of a new bar curved, with a "well" for the bartender, to give more counter space. The old str8 one is just too small.

As for food, I do bagged chips and pretzels and other NON-MOOPY (read no peanuts, damnit!) bar MUNCHIES. I don't do Whores Dovers as then you gotta deal with the Health Dept, AND the hassle of making all that food AND cleaning up after it.

OK, I gotta go work now...
bbs

[brc-fun]

Thanx for the info.

We don't do cups, and the food is "part of our lunch and dinner" given to friends (not really part of our gift).

Good ideas regarding no lemons and such, but I'm not sure if we can do bloody marys without celery (if not bacon).

Need to look into cleaning shakers...

Good to know that Booby Bar has gotten the shake-down without getting a ticket.

Keep the info coming!

[Playa Pixie]

I was part of a very large sound camp that had a rockin' bar to provide our parched playa friends with a nice cold bevvy during our day parties. Everyone who got a drink from our bar had to have a stamp (a big giant stamp somewhere on their chest usually) that told the bartender this person was ok to serve because they were over 21. We checked ID's if there was any question and turn away those that couldn't produce it. I saw more than a handful of stings on the playa in 2009 and had several friends get fined thousands of dollars because they served an underage kid a beer. It's not worth it. We all worked so hard and were so proud, as all the camps do, to provide this amazing experience. Taking the extra precaution was no big deal and definitely worth it since we believe we were targeted. Our safe practices saved us.

[StevenGoodman]

The easy and simplest, but not complete answer. You ask EVERYONE who comes into the bar the two questions:

1) Are you 21 years of age or older?
2) Are you legal to drink in the state of Nevada?

If someone doesn't answer yes to both questions you ask them to leave.

Yes, there are more things involved, but that is the basics of serving booze to people.

Martini Steve

[Risky]

There are already some great threads about operating a bar on playa.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... t=underage

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... e&start=30

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... t=underage

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... t=underage