The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday voted 8-4 to repeal a ill-conceived ordinance that required all customers at bars, restaurants, and breweries to show ID before buying alcohol, regardless of their age. Even if you were clearly in your 60s, the server would ask to see your ID if you ordered alcohol. The rule, which took effect on March 1, lasted just over three months.
With the repeal, hospitality venues are no longer required to check every customer’s ID. However, liquor stores must still card everyone, as they’ve been doing under a 2011 state law.
The original goal of the now-repealed ordinance was to stop people with court-ordered alcohol restrictions, identified by a red stripe on their driver’s licenses, from buying alcohol at on-site establishments.
But the policy quickly ran into problems. It turned hospitality transactions into rude interactions.
Business owners complained of slow service, lost sales, and upset customers, especially older locals and tourists who were confused or offended by the blanket ID checks. Some staff even reported verbal abuse from frustrated patrons.
The repeal shines light on the difficulty of turning a well-intended public safety measure into reasonable policy. As Anchorage is in its busy summer tourism season, businesses hope the rollback will ease tensions and speed up service.
The ordinance caused confusion. Some wait staff even tried to “card” patrons who were not ordering alcohol but who were at a table where others were ordering adult beverages.
Assembly members Daniel Volland and Scott Myers, who had supported the ID rule originally, joined newcomer Yarrow Silvers to push for its repeal.
The vote broke down as follows:
Opposed to repeal (voted to keep the universal ID checks): Anna Brawley, Zac Johnson, George Martinez, and Felix Rivera.
In favor of repeal: The remaining eight members.
Read about the now-repealed ordinance at this link:
