Under-21s banned from bars in Georgia, business owners say not a bad thing
GEORGIA — A new law takes effect Friday in the peach state that bans most people under 21 from setting foot inside a bar, and while some bar owners say it won’t affect their operations, at least one says it could hurt establishments that cater to families.
The law — Georgia House Bill 152 — defines “bar” as “any premises at which a retailer licensed pursuant to this title to sell alcoholic beverages derives 75 percent or more total annual gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.”
The law makes exceptions to the under-21 ban for those patrons who are accompanied by a parent, guardian or over-21 spouse, as well as persons attending a musical event for which they have paid for admission. The law also forbids employing someone under 21 as a bouncer.
The legislation is commonly referred to as Michael’s Law, after Georgia Southern freshman Michael Gatto who passed away after a violent fight at a bar in 2014. Gatto’s parents fought to get the bill signed into law in 2015 and it takes effect this week.
When asked if he thought the new law would impact local businesses, Sidney Carter Williams, owner of Cuz’s Sports Bar and Grill on Bemiss Road in Valdosta, Georgia, said, “Yeah, it probably will.”
Underage drinking is legal in some form or fashion in 45 states. Most states make exceptions for religious ceremonies or on private property with parental consent. In Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana people under 21 years of age may drink in at bars or restaurants with parental consent as well, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
While individual bar and restaurant owners may create policies preventing persons under 21 from entering a bar, there are few states where this is law.
Cuz’s already has a policy in place barring admittance to anyone under 21 after 9 p.m., he said.
“It may affect families during the lunch hour,” he said. Cuz’s has a fair amount of business from families who come in for lunch at midday when the kids can play pool or throw darts, Williams said.
“The parents never drink (alcohol) when they bring the kids along,” he said. “You’ve got to be responsible.”
Sales of “virgin” drinks — non-alcoholic versions of alcohol-based favorites — may hurt as well, he said.
“If families come in, Dad may drink sweet tea just to be safe,” Williams said.
Mikki Osha, the owner of Mikki’s on Northside Drive in Valdosta, Georgia, said the law won’t affect her business since the bar’s had an under-21 ban of its own for 14 years.
“We have an older clientele,” she said. “I think it will have an impact with college bars.”
Asked if she knew of any problems with under-21s at other bars around the area, Osha said, “It always happens.”
Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress backs the new law, saying it lines up well with Georgia’s legal drinking age, which was already 21.
“If you’re not going to let someone under 21 drink, why let them go into or work at a bar?” he asked. “Why create the opportunity?”
Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.