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It may be different from state to state, but there seems to be some confusion at one of my venues regarding DJs/KJs/band members consuming alcohol during their performances? Anyone have any experience with this? I'm in WA state. Thanks.

Someone had mentioned that before so I talked with the WSLCB directly & they stated confirming that ANYONE that works in a bar including hired entertainment (hired as bar employees or subcontracted as most of us are) are absolutely not to be drinking while they are working at anytime. This includes dj / kj / bands.

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In Colorado anybody serving alcohol or food cannot drink. If the alcohol and beverage control walks into a bar and the mngr or bartender is seen drinking behind the bar it is automatic shutdown.

Bands and others drink freely but here is the way I look at it. I have a lot of money invested in the system If nothing else I and my host must stay sober to protect it. I work very close with staff and security regarding drugs or heavily intoxicated customers. We take care of them. They appreciate it in the long run and come back.

One of my biggest fears is one of my singers getting busted for a DUI. Bars now are tame compared to what they used to be but all sober people in a bar have responsibilies and most are there when needed. My peeve is right now lawmakers that dont even go into bars but pass laws concerning bars based upon their fantasies about what really happens in bars.

We had a wild sat night and 4 or 5 were escorted out of the bar. One of the security was actually there partying and had to go on duty. No cops were called and nobody was 86'd. It was stopped before it reached that stage. BTW I limit myself to one sugar baby shot in the first hour...

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Wow-

Taking away a musicians beer or two prior to getting on stage is cruel and unusual punishment. I always needed to loosen up before band performances..Get relaxed and get that initial endorphan kick from shot-gunning something with alcohol content.. A tranq before playing massively large venues just isn't the same Well, I suppose few musicians get thrown in jail for getting caught hiding someplace with a glass of water spiked with fermented barley, hops resulting in some type of malt that appears to have foamy stuff ! Must be bad water !!

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I would like to formally announce that Hurt Me Tommy will not be making any appearances in the state of Washington.

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I don't think it really stops too many...

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Wow Lonnie, when did this law go into effect? I played in bands in the Vancouver, WA area from 1980-2000. Nobody ever said a word to us in any of these bars/taverns. Maybe I should turn my self in just to ease the guilt!

Supposedly it's always been the law. At least according to the agent I talked with. I mentioned that it must not be enforced very much as some bars incorporate a bar tab into the pay, they reponded back that that will change.

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I don't know if there's any "law" against it here in Oregon, but if there is.... it's being broken. (everywhere... atleast 3-4 nights a week)

Most bands I've seen have their drinks atleast on breaks, and the KJ's I know normally have a few throughout the night too.

It would be tacky if they became intoxicated, but I don't see where having just a few hurt anything.

Bartenders and waiters/waitresses..... should not. (imo)

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I'm not sure if there is a law here , The way I see it ..DRINKING IS LEGAL no matter what you do. ...its EXCESSIVE drinking which gets your alcohol blood level over the legal limit that gets you in trouble. You start taking a little alcohol away from musicians and entertainers and you will be left with Sunday Afternoons at the nursing home

I believe it's against the law in both Washington and Oregon for anyone working in the bar to be drinking, regardless of job description. Whether of not it's enforced on entertainers is usually whether or not a particular liquor inspector is informing the club that they must or risk getting fined or shut down. Otherwise it's widely ignored around these parts.

Personally I know that my rooms (and customers) all appreciate me more now that I no longer drink on the job. But that's because I could never stop at two.

Although we work with the owner and staff as fellow employees technically I have a separate business contracting a service to the bar. I have serviced bars in many ways Repairing everything from tv's to jukeboxes. Are you saying if I am there installing a sound system I cant have a brew when done?

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I have no idea about the laws in Colorado, but around here when you're done (not working) sure you can. No matter what your job description... independent work, bar staff, bookkeeper, manager....

edit: As we all know, there are often policies set up by the establishment that go beyond what is legal or not. I've worked places where as entertainer I could drink with no restrictions, places where it was only allowed offstage on break, and places where no one who worked there could drink at all whether on shift or not. This is often done if a manager has been having problems with employees getting loaded after shift and thinks it's unprofessional if anyone who works there is seen in that shape.

When I was drinking I would sometimes have to choose between working a particular room without alcohol or not working there at all. And I would usually choose alcohol over work, as crazy as that sounds to me today.

No it's while you are doing the job you are contracted to do. Once you are done, you are done with that job.

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This has been something has changed from bar to bar in both states I have worked(OR & WA). Whether it is a law or not I have gotten vague answers from both Washington Liquor Control and Oregon Liquor Control. Enforcement has usually come down to an individual bar's policy more than State law. Some let entertainment (DJ/KJ/bands/dancers etc) have a stated number of drinks per shift or gig. Others have no limit. Others don't allow it at all. I think someone stated earlier that the problem is not the drinking on shift- it is the OVER drinking and becoming intoxicated that becomes the problem. I would simply make it very clear with the management or owner before the first show what they allow or expect when it comes to liquor consumption. Then it is on them whether it is breaking the law if they allow you to drink or not.

Tig AKA Mike Powers AKA Lightning Entertainment
Beaverton, Oregon
not hiding

As a business professional I do not need laws to tell me how to run my business. I have spent many hours in bars and did not imbibe. I consider it an insult to my integrity and mores.

It seems with every election they must pass a new law for the bars. They are killing mom and pop businesses and eventually the public will revolt. It is written on the wall. Why do you think cops are afraid of crowds? They are between a rock and a hard spot. Do you think the demonstrations during the 60's were something? You haven't seen anything yet and this old vet will be there with them.. Enough is Enough!!!

Believe me. I talk to college students and feel what is about to go down.

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Ya gotta love Wisconsin! The Tavern League here is one of the strongest lobby groups in the state capitol. Bar staff can imbibe as long as they don't over do it. Bands definitely take advantage of complimentary drinks for musicians. I knew more than one KJ who would every once and awhile yell "Sociable", which meant to buy a shot.

Lonman, I can see where the state might legislate no drinking from those who are serving alcohol since it requires a state permit to do so and it involves keeping sound judgment about not overserving.

But the band? Or DJ/KJ? I think your agent friend misunderstood.

I know all those Washington state codes are online, can you get us a statute number?

It's only once in a blue moon that I'll ever drink alcohol during my show. (Guests often want to buy me drinks and once in a while I say yes.) I most usually bring one of those huge 64 oz. mugs that the bar will fill up with Diet Coke. It lasts me throughout the night so I don't have to try to get a refill when the place is packed.

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I can't find the email with the link to all the rules but you can find it at the wslcb website & it is clearly stated in there where no employee or hired help as in bands / kj / dj included are to be served while they are working and that the establishments can be fined &/or lose their license if caught. I dont think she was mistaken I just don't think it's enforced very often if any (i've never heard of a case anyway but never looked for one either). It hasn't stopped me from having one or two....when I get one bought for me on a rare occasion...

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