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[The Hammered]

The title pretty much says it... I'm one of them upstart young brats who won't be able to get into alcohol-serving places for several years, but I'd still like to be able to go to some shows rather than relying exclusively on recordings. So... any suggestions on how to find venues I could get into, or anything else that would help?

[Kai]

When a band you like comes through, check the venue's web site?

[jcknbl]

Well I'm sort of confused by the above suggestion because every over 21 club I know of checks ID. (Though most venues in my area are open to all ages)

I'm not going to suggest anything illegal but I imagine there are ways of fulfilling such an ID requirement, hypothetically. Since breaking the law is always wrong I suggest that when you see a band is coming at you are underaged for the show go to the band's site (or some site that lists tour dates) and see if they're playing somewhere else in your area. I know a lot of times DC tickets will sell out before I buy and I'll just go to a Baltimore show instead.

Make friends with the club owner/children of the club owner. The daughter of the owner of the 9:30 club (the big DC venue) went to my school. I didn't know her well personally but I imagine if 9:30 had an underage rule she could have gotten friends in.

That last piece of advice might be a little difficult to follow. So I suggest finding a friend with computer design skills and a digital camera- you guys will have so much fun with that new camera you'll forget you couldn't go to the show.

[Thrillho]

The 18+ thing is such bullshit.

I went to see Bloodhound Gang live and they were 14+. BLOODHOUND GANG.

For fuck's sake if anyone should be 18+ it's those swearing, projectile-vomiting, nudity-promoting bastards. And then a We Are Scientists gig turns up as 18+ due to one 'f-word' on their album, as far as I can tell. What the fuck?

[Garcin]

I went to a Bloodhound Gang concert after their first album came out (I'm not proud of it).  They had a segment where they invited underage girls to come up to the stage (specifically underage mind you) and show the crowd their boobs.  A surprising number participated.  I recall one of the members taking one of the girls on his shoulders and fondling her in front of the audience.  Interesting show.

[jose]

18+ regulations tend to have more to do with hours of the show and targeted demographic, not with the content (ie swearing, talking about sex) of the show itself

sometimes it's shitty city ordinances that say if a show is set to go later than a certain time it has to be 18+

and yeah, usually you aren't going to get into a 21+ show without an id.  so definitley don't count on that

[Rubby]

What kind of weird places do you guys go to shows at? The only kind of age restrictions I’ve heard of were 19+ restrictions (the legal drinking age round these parts) because the place served alcohol. I’ve never in my life seen restrictions based on anything else.


edit: Woo, 400th post.

[pat101]

What kind of weird places do you guys go to shows at? The only kind of age restrictions I’ve heard of were 19+ restrictions (the legal drinking age round these parts) because the place served alcohol. I’ve never in my life seen restrictions based on anything else.


edit: Woo, 400th post.

Yeah I'm in the same boat as him, the only 18+ shows (drinking age in THESE parts) that I've been to have been in actual bars.

[Johnny C]

I understand that bar owners have to make a living and that is why they hold drinking-age+ shows. I don't like it, but I just respond by going to shows at smaller venues and checking out artists who do play to all ages. And I am biding my time until my 19th birthday.

[Rubby]

I guess I’m kind of an asshole hypocrite when it comes to the subject. I recall that before I was legal age I got pissed off when shows I wanted to see were 19+, now days though I’m glad there aren’t a bunch of 13 and 14 year olds at the shows I go to. So yeah, I’m a jerk.

[Skibas_clavicle]

I'm glad I no longer have to worry whether a show is 19+ or not. I missed many a great concert back before legality. I remember missing the Wilco, The Dismemberment Plan and Jets To Brazil shows the summer when I was 16. It was terrible.

[jose]

In the US drinking age is 21 obviously.  18 is when one is legally an adult.  Because of this some clubs that don't serve alcohol still say you have to be 18+ to get in.  This could be because they want to limit liability or maybe there is a city ordinence that says that clubs open after X hour must be 18+.  Maybe a club just doesn't wants to attract a specifically 18 and over crowd.  

I think it's probably a city ordinence here in portland because all the "clubs" that aren't 21+ that I see in this area are all 18+

[penpen17]

The majority of shows that I end up going to are all-ages.  Which is unfortunate because all-age shows in Chicago are required to end at 10:00 pm.

[Cartilage Head]

I have never heard of age restrictions at concerts in my life. Weird.

Edit: Well,I'm certain that I have..but they have certainly never been enforced.

[LIVE!Forever]

MOST MISLEADING TITLE EVER.

[JLM]

I understand that bar owners have to make a living and that is why they hold drinking-age+ shows. I don't like it, but I just respond by going to shows at smaller venues and checking out artists who do play to all ages. And I am biding my time until my 19th birthday.

Wow, so you don't support 19+ venues and shows by not going to 19+ venues and shows...which you couldn't get into anyways because you're not 19 yet. That's stickin' it to the man.

(sorry...it just seemed funny to me).

[Synchronicity]

Well that depends where you live. I live in Seattle and there are several clubs which have all-ages (bar with ID) shows fairly regularly. Other than that I can't really help. I have a similar problem seeing as I'm only 17 (and I can't even get into R rated movies without showing my ID since I look like I'm 14 or 15.)

[brandie]

I always got around the age requirements when I was a young 'un by befriending and carrying equipment for the bands, or just going in the back door.  I can't think of a single show that I didn't get in this way, even if it sometimes involved extensive physical exertion jumping fences and stuff.

[Shaft]

I went to see Squarepusher at an 18+ gig AND I WAS ONLY 17

THE HORROR.

[Johnny C]

Wow, so you don't support 19+ venues and shows by not going to 19+ venues and shows...which you couldn't get into anyways because you're not 19 yet. That's stickin' it to the man.

Actually that was just suggesting that there are decent all ages shows and sometimes you wouldn't expect them to be good but you should have checked 'em out and you didn't because you dwell on the awesome live shows that are at 19+ venues. I mean, I'm glad you found it amusing. But it's not rebellion, it's just checking out options.

[PoliceDiscoLites]

I've heard a lot of places will let you in an 18+ show if you have a parent with you. Y'all are probably like "Ew, parent, WTF," but that'd be a really viable option for me if it's true, because my dad is pretty fun and he likes a lot of my music. Plus I'm still scared to death to drive to Atlanta by myself, so that helps with that as well.

This is actually a big issue because I absolutely HAVE to go see Tilly and the Wall in about a week, but it's 18+. So do you think that's a good idea? Should I go with the dad thing? Should I try to just get in and hope they don't card me? Should I invest in a fake if I'm only two months away from 18? Are there any Atlantans here who have been to the Drunken Unicorn who can give me some insight? Help help help!

[The Hammered]

I suppose I'll try looking up some venues around this area some time. And hope that the bands around here don't all suck.

[Scandanavian War Machine]

age restrictions dont have to do with the band thats playing, as far as i know. its the venue, time of show, etc.

for instance: Gwar has come to seattle several times over the last few years and been all ages every time. meanwhile...every time The Reverend Horton Heat has come to seattle (as far back as i can remember anyway) it has been 21+
the exploited came to town a few years ago (all ages) and they had a 'best tits' contest on stage. they literally let any girl from the crowd get up on stage and show their tits. at an all ages show.

to be honest, i dont really understand the rules either.....but i know it rarely (if ever) has anything to do with the actual music being performed.

[Kai]

I think it has to do mostly with whether or not alcohol is being served; venue's that have a bar would rather have people who can drink in their club and buy their 8 dollar beers than kids who can't.

[brandie]

Age restrictions are totally at the club's discretion, and are usually standard on all nights, not based on which band is playing.  A lot of clubs don't want underage people in because a) they could be liable insurance-wise if something happens b) younger kids are generally more destructive and rowdy and c) it just increases the chances by 430% that there will be underage drinking and the club will lose its license.

[Scandanavian War Machine]

underage kids, compared to the wasted 21+ers are like puppies compared to combines.

underage kids, on average, are the least destructive people at a show.
in my experience, at least.

[brandie]

I knew I'd get flack for saying that.  It really depends on what kind of underage kids.  A bunch of underage Mogwai fans are going to be a totally different than a bunch of underage ICP fans.  But I doubt most venues have the time or interest in trying to discern who's who.

[Joseph]

underage kids, compared to the wasted 21+ers are like puppies compared to combines.

underage kids, on average, are the least destructive people at a show.
in my experience, at least.

  It varies.  I'm still an underage kid myself, but I'll freely admit, some of us are dicks, with no concept of concert etiquite.  Mainly those emo-pricks who were at the Death Cab/Franz Ferdinand show I was at a month or so ago, who decided to storm the stage in a frantic attempt to get near the band.  I came really close to decking on of them at one point, but I decided it'd be a better idea not to lose my girlfriend in the crowd.

  Basically, I'm all for some venues having 19+ (in Canada), even though I can't get in for another two years.  Having said that, it turns out my mmom may have connections at one of the better non-all ages venues here in Vancouver, so I may be able to bypass this system entirely.

[Lines]

my friend went to an avenged sevenfold concert and there were children (like maybe ages 10-12) with their parents there. i'm not sure how they managed not to get crushed from people dropping on them.

i've been to both types. usually, if it's all ages it makes sense, because the ones that allow underaged people were more low key or in bars or something.

[tacroy]

One thing I've found for getting into age-restricted shows is that if you have a photo ID that doesn't have your age on it, they won't give you much of a problem.

For instance, I've yet to have a problem getting into 21+ shows using only my college ID, which does not have my date of birth printed on it.  I usually just flash that at the door with some mumbled line about "I took the train here and left my license at home, it's never been a problem here in the past."

[sjbrot]

Age restrictions are based mostly on the type of license a place can get. By law, some places aren't alowed to have boozing and youngens, while others can do by meeting certain standards.

This is my understanding of it.

I remember feeling bitter because I was missing out on the big shows that came through town because I was underage. I've come to understand a bit from the venue's perspective, since the best way for them to make money is to sell out a crowd of people who are going to be drinking three, four beers each. It sucks for the youngens, but that's the way it is.

[Johnny C]

MORAL:

CAPITALISM
RULES

[Bunnyman]

I've discovered that a lot of places don't bother to check ID.  So it's worth a shot, especially if you've (like a dumbass) bought $30 nonrefundable tickets for said show.

[Nemba]

Most often, if you look like you know what you're doing, they won't bother checking ID. I'm 15, and I went to a concert held at a vinyard bar (clearly restricted to 18 and over, 18 being the drinking age here). Not only did they not bother checking for ID, they offered me and my girlfriend at the time free wine. So yeah, looking the part is everything.

[jcknbl]

This is actually a big issue because I absolutely HAVE to go see Tilly and the Wall in about a week, but it's 18+. So do you think that's a good idea? Should I go with the dad thing? Should I try to just get in and hope they don't card me? Should I invest in a fake if I'm only two months away from 18? Are there any Atlantans here who have been to the Drunken Unicorn who can give me some insight? Help help help!

I'm not an Atlantan but get the fake id if you plan on purchasing alcohol in the next three years, also there are 21+ venues all over the place so it still might be worth having for future shows. Otherwise just go with your dad. You definitely don't want to drive to Atlanta and then not be able to see the show.

[E. Spaceman]

Most shows in Mexico are all ages regardless ofthe venue. The only one I remember being 18+ (18 being legal age here) was the Art Brut/Kasabian/The Rapture one, and that was because there were free unlimited drinks served. It was great, and I'm 17

[ASturge]

Pfft
When Bouncers ask If I'm 18, i reply
"Are you!?!? fuckooo!"

Then i flash my fake Id....

[PoliceDiscoLites]

This is actually a big issue because I absolutely HAVE to go see Tilly and the Wall in about a week, but it's 18+. So do you think that's a good idea? Should I go with the dad thing? Should I try to just get in and hope they don't card me? Should I invest in a fake if I'm only two months away from 18? Are there any Atlantans here who have been to the Drunken Unicorn who can give me some insight? Help help help!

I'm not an Atlantan but get the fake id if you plan on purchasing alcohol in the next three years, also there are 21+ venues all over the place so it still might be worth having for future shows. Otherwise just go with your dad. You definitely don't want to drive to Atlanta and then not be able to see the show.

Thanks for the advice. That's probably what I'll do. And I like your fat kitty.

[daddsy]

its weird around here, more and more venues seem to be becoming 18+, but the ones where most non-local bands play are still all ages, even thought the 14 year olds are always the wasted ones near the back of those shows. i dont get the point of those people though, or age restricted shows; if your gone not be able to remember the show, why not just goto the park so the venue doesnt have to stop all underage kids coming in?