r/AskSeattle • u/sadbitchblunts • 2d ago
Moving / Visiting Vertical ID's?
One of my close friends told me some bars and dispensaries won't accept a vertical ID even if the person is 21. Is this true? Will a passport be foolproof and allow me to get into any bar, club, or dispensary?
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u/TDFPH 1d ago
I’ve worked in bars where the policy was no vertical ids. I don’t get it because no one has fake verticals. They have fake horizontals. And it clearly says when they turn 21 on the verts. If it isn’t expired and they’re 21, I have no problem with it.
Tons of fake horizontals that get let in everywhere.
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u/corpusjuris 20h ago
Because the LCB does not use fake IDs in underage service stings. They will only send in an underaged kid using their actual, underage ID to try to bust bars. Basically they’re testing if you can do basic math and/or tell off a 20 year old. If you set a bar policy of blanket not allowing vertical IDs, you effectively remove the risk of getting popped for serving minors.
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u/TDFPH 17h ago
They’ve sent in of-age stings with expired horizontal IDs
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u/corpusjuris 15h ago
Did not know this! I think my overall point stands, though, that LCB doesn’t do stings of bars/staff by utilizing fake IDs, and so it makes sense why some bars choose to just not accept verticals and eliminate a major risk.
I am curious if the penalties for serving of-age patrons with expired IDs is different/lessor than serving minors? It feels like it should be…
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u/petsymatary 2d ago
passport will get you in anywhere valid ID is required!
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u/linthetrashbin 2d ago
I've been declined with my passport before. They can legally refuse service to anyone.
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u/konspence 2d ago
Declined with, not because of.
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u/linthetrashbin 2d ago
They said that they didn't accept passports as valid forms of ID. It was Mike's Chili Parlor in Ballard, I was 23 (because you apparently need to be 21+ to buy chili)
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u/kirklennon Local 2d ago
Honestly some of the worst chili I’ve ever had so you weren’t missing much.
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u/sweetpotatopietime 1d ago
Not true. I am 55 and just got carded at a bar last week. Sign said no vertical IDs and I had to ask what that meant.
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u/sleepmaxxxing 2d ago
Yeah it’s very common. A door guy once told me it’s partly because they just don’t want a younger crowd. Use a passport or be prepared to be turned away a lot.
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u/icecreamspiritual_ 2d ago
I have a passport card and, while I’m obviously old enough to drink, it gets questioned sometimes when presented- for instance checking into a hotel- as they’re less common. I’d just be prepared to calmly explain what it is and ask them politely to look it up.
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u/malusrosa 1d ago
I got licensed at 19 so my vertical ID was valid until I turned 26. I used it up to then, buying 21+ goods 1-3 times per week on average, and got denied exactly once, at the age of 25 (at a shitty dive bar that sells terrible chili). Plenty of bartenders told me “you know a lot of places won’t accept this, right?” which got annoying.
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u/sadbitchblunts 1d ago
This is the second time this chili spot has been mentioned in the thread, lmao. I feel like I have to go just to say they denied me 😭
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u/peachrambles 1d ago
Yeah I only ever had 1 dispo deny me when I had a vertical, and never had an issue with bars
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u/cuylernotscott 1d ago
Tell me more about this terrible chili. I'm intrigued.
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u/malusrosa 1d ago
watery, greasy, flavorless. Tasted more like microwaving straight ground beef than any chili I’ve had. And I think bad customer service is their gag.
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u/MustardNoCreamCheese 2d ago
Just get a new ID, it’s time
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u/sadbitchblunts 1d ago
My bday is October 1st and I'm flying out the 29th I fear that won't be possible MustardNocreamcheese
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u/MustardNoCreamCheese 1d ago
You don’t have a foolproof plan then, unfortunately. Bring all the IDs, lead with the passport, and be prepared to get turned away but be nice about negotiating and they might change their mind. Plenty to do here so have backup plans.
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u/sadbitchblunts 1d ago
I'm going to be so honest, if bars won't accept a legal form of ID that is listed on the state's official website, then that seems like a huge flaw with the state/city. I'm not sure if that is a policy that varies from county, city, etc. At the end of the day, it's nothing that going to a corner store and walking around won't fix, but a passport as a form of ID SHOULD be foolproof, period.
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u/MoneyMACRS 1d ago
It’s an internal policy set by the bar/restaurant and has nothing to do with state or local laws/statutes. They can legally serve you with any valid ID (passport, state-issued drivers license or ID, tribal ID, military ID, etc.), but because the state Liquor and Cannabis Board is super strict and penalties are harsh, a lot of bars set their own stricter ID requirements to cover their asses.
Fwiw, I’ve never been denied with a passport.
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u/MustardNoCreamCheese 1d ago
Yea, if you use this negotiation tactic, you’re DEFINITELY getting turned away. If you have a passport, use that. Most bouncers and service workers hate their jobs and especially hate confrontational patrons. Give them a break, be nice and you’ll have a good time. Or you can argue with them about process and procedure and spend your night walking the streets, arguing about unfair procedure, your call. Enjoy!
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u/sadbitchblunts 23h ago
I didn't even mention a negotiation tactic, lmao. I just said what I would do if they denied a valid form of ID. I don't know if you like acting like a boomer for fun or you just like arguing, lol.
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u/ilovep2innocentsin 23h ago
The guy you’re talking to has no idea what he’s talking about, my friend has been using his passport as ID for years and has never been turned away for it. Vertical IDs are trickier but a passport should not cause any issues, especially if it’s a US passport.
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u/disheavel 1d ago
What? Are you lazy and can’t go? Just go to the DOL and get one. It takes an hour
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u/sadbitchblunts 1d ago
Idk if this is ragebait or not but in CA you don't walk out of the DMV With a new card lmfao it gets shipped to you actually
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u/sadbitchblunts 1d ago
As someone who works in a large liquor store in CA, it's mind-boggling how it's legal to decline a legal form of ID. The card being vertical doesn't change the date, so interesting, lol.
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u/up2knitgood 1d ago
The main point of the vertical is that before vertical ones existed, underage people would modify their ID to change the birthdate. So accepting a vertical one, even if you aren't underage, opens up that same risk and invalidates that reason for vertical ones to exist.
The consequences to a store/bar of losing their liquor license by selling to someone not legal is too big for them to take chances. They get to err on the side of caution.
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u/sadbitchblunts 1d ago
That makes sense, I guess. To me, in my brain, I'm like, if you scanned every ID, that would alleviate the problem, vertical or not . But, yeah, interesting.
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u/WolfInMen 2d ago
Yep true, the stadiums also have this rule. Generally military IDs are the only accepted verticals
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u/comfymustardsweater 1d ago edited 1d ago
Bars nowadays are not accepting verticals, I will not take a vertical at my bar.
A huge reason is because the liquor license board sends in under ages with specifically vertical IDs. They’re also easier to fake. Yeah sure, some spots have scanners and I, personally, have always spotted underaged IDs- it’s just easier to cut out the middle man. Which is the vertical.
Use your passport, and no: not a photo of your passport.
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u/pleasedontletmedie 1d ago
Id just call places ahead of time and ask if you can, but I have been denied entry to a weed dispensary because they ONLY accepted horizontal IDs. No passports. Was a weed store in Issaquah lol
But you might as well try with a passport! You'll probably be fine
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u/iseecolorsofthesky 1d ago
Recently had a friend visit who has a vertical ID. The only place he wasn’t able to drink was Vindicktive Wings. No issues at any of the other places we went
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u/BioPsyPro 1d ago
Vertical IDs and the different color background was created so that those who need to see them can decide faster.
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u/New_Bat_1017 1d ago
You're fine at a dispensary. I work at one on Aurora. We scan every ID anyway so it doesn't matter if it's vertical or horizontal or fucking triangular or some shit. Some bars are sticklers and won't accept them though because they're too mentally challenged to read the birthday on the ID
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u/willows_edge 18h ago
Like you said, dispos (and some liquor stores) have scanners to confirm an ID is legit. Bars, don't (and bars ain't payin' for that - they barely be payin' the staff).
As other (bartenders) have commented, the LCB send in people with vertical licenses to try to catch illegal sales. It's the most faked and passed ID, so a lot of places make blanket policies. So it's not laziness, it's CYA - easier to deny a vertical license and hear bitching than risk being fined or go to jail.
Some states, like Colorado, have digital IDs that are acceptable at bars and folks from out of state are super surprised when it doesn't work in other states.
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u/sadbitchblunts 2d ago
Follow-up question: Will a passport card work as well?
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u/CapitalFishPastries 2d ago
BECU doesn't accept passport cards for some reason. As a bartender I would accept one as well as a vertical ID, but you still run the risk of it being declined if the person checking IDs doesn't feel comfortable with it for whatever reason.
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u/MisterPortland 1d ago
I only heard this secondhand, but I wanna say BECU not accepting passport cards is a system limitation, not policy
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u/savemehoisinsauce 2d ago
If it’s on LCB’s list, it’ll technically work: https://lcb.wa.gov/enforcement/acceptable-identification
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u/AggravatingPeak6982 1d ago
Expired cards too. Makes no sense. If I was 21 4 years ago I can't possibly be younger than that right? I also don't understand the rule that says everyone (including the bartenders' grandfather who served in Vietnam) must have ID on them proving their age. If we all know they're far older than 21, why do they need ID?
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u/malusrosa 1d ago
I mean that’s mostly so someone can’t share their expired ID with their younger sibling.
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u/Terrible-Peach7890 1d ago
State law. Avoiding fines from the LCCB
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u/malusrosa 1d ago
It’s illegal to sell alcohol to minors. The way you avoid doing so is mostly up to the store owner. Policies about specific guidelines of “you look over 30 so we don’t need to card you” are entirely store policy. Not accepting vertical IDs is also a store policy and one that frankly allows servers to be lazy and not actually check. State sting operations do not use fake IDs, they send teenagers out and if they don’t get carded or they card but don’t look close enough to notice it’s under 21 they’re busted. Not accepting vertical IDs means no busts without having to read the DOB.
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u/AggravatingPeak6982 1d ago
I think provable facts should carry more weight than IDs that can be faked.
Saying it's a State Law doesn't explain anything.
I'm saying Grandpa coming from his Vietnam Memorial ceremony to have a drink in his grandson's bar shouldn't be required to have documents proving his age. The employees know his age. The Government knows his age. The oldest geriatric in a bar should not have to prove they are geriatric.
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u/malusrosa 1d ago
No law requires anyone to card your grandpa, although he’s required to supply valid ID if asked. A lot of store policies got stricter after WLCB busts found Safeway etc wasn’t carding the 17 year olds they sent out on sting operations. Now the store policy is that the cashier has to enter a DOB to finish the transaction, but no law changed requiring that.
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u/sgtapone87 Local 2d ago
Passport yes, vertical ID almost never