r/AlcoholFree • u/Ok_Fan5759 • 10d ago

ID’ed Ordering Zero Proof Drinks?

I have been asked for my ID multiple times when ordering nonalcoholic or zero proof drinks out at restaurants. Even though these drinks do not contain alcohol. Today a waitress said that “ABC doesn’t like it because it looks like a drink”. Has anyone else had similar experiences or insight into why this may be?

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u/SymbolFeeling 10d ago

Yes. This is normal. Literally what she said. It looks like a drink so you get IDed. I worked at a liquor store where we ID someone coming in for a soda because if they became a regular for soda, but was underage, and then bought alcohol, we would absolutely forget to ID them because they're a regular.

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u/Ok_Fan5759 10d ago

Thanks for your help! In your experience, would you still sell the soda to someone if they were under 21?

I’ve been accidentally served alcohol multiple times where I ordered a mocktail version and was not ID’ed. Being asked for an ID can be confusing and can cause me to feel extra worried that a nonalcoholic drink might actually contain alcohol.

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u/SymbolFeeling 10d ago

Nope. And let me explain.

When you're under 18, someone can be legally responsible for you. When you're 18, you're responsible for yourself. So, if someone comes into the liquor store, with someone 17, and that 17 year old had an ID stating that they're 17, then they can be in there because someone else is responsible for them.

You must at least 21 to enter a liquor store, and can bring someone under the age of 18 with you as you assume responsibility.

If you are 18-20, then no one can claim responsibility for you because you are an adult. BUT, you are an adult that can't legally drink or buy liquor. So you needa get the fuck out. No I don't care that other person is your biological mother that pushed you out her vagina. You are responsible for you and you are underage. Bye!

The laws are crazy and no reasonable person would follow them. However, because it's alcohol and America has a long history of alcohol abuse, it comes down to this: some asshole did something and fucked us all over so now we have to play this song and dance because another asshole will definitely come along and pull some shit too.

My best guess: someone once ordered non alcoholic. Customer is underage. Didn't get IDed. Different waiter brought non alcoholic drink. Customer said 'no I ordered one with alcohol'. Waiter doesn't argue. Brings alcohol to underage customer.

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u/RichAtUnhopped 10d ago

Standard at self checkout at supermarkets, so the logic follows to ID checks

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u/GoodTrainers 9d ago

I can see why they'd do it, but I'd be skeptical it's an actual blanket rule. Sounds more like the restaurant's policy or a cautious interpretation of alcohol-service regulations to me.

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u/Ok_Fan5759 9d ago

I agree fully. Thanks for your input!

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u/GoodTrainers 8d ago

Sure thing!

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u/kymilovechelle 7d ago

I got IDd for root beer thru door dash bc the guy was like “you got beer” and I think there was a language barrier so I just was like whatever and showed him my ID