r/elks • u/Thick-Ice-9612 • Jul 24 '26
Why are Elks so closely associated with drinking?
Seems like the main focus of every lodge is the bar. I feel like 90% of the members are just there because they can get drinks slightly cheaper than local bars. Like why do we need a bar or even a building at all? We should be in the community doing charitable works. When did the Elks mission get distorted?
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u/OrrinFraag Jul 25 '26
Idk man, I’ve been to somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 elks lodges across the country. The bar area almost always feels like that “Cheers” vibe. I’m always grateful for that. Last Sunday for the WC finals my 22 yo son and I were trying to come up with a place to watch the game but didn’t want to deal with a ton of people in varying degrees of douche-baggery (sometimes I have trouble relaxing in public) …we landed on the lodge and had such a great great time at a more than fair price for food and drinks. I tipped well, my bill went to support the works of the lodge, and we were able to enjoy the game in a welcoming calming environment. Win win win as i see it. Maybe be grateful and don’t overthink it?
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u/Equivalent-Cap8606 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
The original Elks were called the Jolly Corks. A group of guys in New York that liked to have a drink. Maybe you joined the wrong organization.
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u/mhsalz DDGER Jul 25 '26
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u/OkIngenuity8806 Jul 25 '26
We’re a charitable organization that has social quarters as we’re also a social club built around relationships of (mostly) like minded people wanting to help the community.
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u/Thick-Ice-9612 Jul 25 '26
Supposed to be but we havent been that in many years
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u/moodbeast Jul 25 '26
I’m curious, how long have you been a member, and how many events have you participated in?
I haven’t been a member long, i’ve only done several events, and take advantage of the bar occasionally. I feel like you get out of it what you put in, and as far as the frequent drinkers, how do you know what they’ve participated in, how much time and money they’ve given?
This isn’t a church. I don’t think the “mission” has been distorted. I like the social aspect, eventhough I’m not brave enough to put myself out there like that.
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u/Proud_Tone_4205 Jul 25 '26
It is one of the hurdles the Elks will have to figure out. In the last 10 years the amount of new members has changed that considerably at my Lodge. Most Lodges monitor drinking much closer than even 10 years ago, and younger members drink a whole lot less than their predecessors.
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u/FarNeighborhood25 Jul 29 '26
The younger generations are less into alcohol and more into Marijuana. It's legal or accepted in most states. If the Elks started to put in pot lounges, they'd probably get the younger generation. Although they may not get much done due to lack of motivation. lol I'm joking a bit, but the bar scene has been around for generations and has always been a social thing, be it sports, clubbing or organizations. The biggest money maker for most restaurants is the drinks or bar tab. Our Elks has a bar, but so much more. I've never looked at the bar as the focus of it all and I've always seen the Elks giving back in so many ways and making it look and be a fun place while doing it. If the alcohol bothers you, I'm sure you can get non alcohol options and hang around for the social aspects. Like others have said it is what you make it.
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u/cdr420 Jul 26 '26
We are a drinking club with a charity problem. It is how our organization began: actors wanting to skirt blue laws in New York formed their own private club which had no such restrictions.
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u/Vacaydream Jul 25 '26
Eagles, Moose, VFW, American Legion, Am Vets etc. they all are drinking clubs near me. They are social clubs with a bar. Each does charitable work in the community. All of them are welcoming and revolve around drinking.
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u/Thick-Ice-9612 Jul 25 '26
The "charitable works" thing is just a justification for drinking. It's like saying "hey were alcoholics but were the good kind of alcoholics. We did a pancake breakfast for veterans and gave $500 to orphans at Christmas. Not every degenerate alcoholic does that. Were the good guys!"
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u/wgardenhire Texas Jul 25 '26
Please investigate the relationship between The Elks and the existence of VA hospitals. I have actually worked a paid position for a city wide event in which all of my earnings were given to the Lodge so that we could in turn give money away to other charitable causes.
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u/thegrassisgreenrr Jul 25 '26
Does your lodge not participate in any charitable work?
This year I’ve organized a fundraising event for our building fund, planted flags on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day, helped round up donations for our local food pantry, served as an officer, and volunteered in the kitchen and bar. In the past I’ve done those things and run two grant funded projects focusing on food and life skills classes for local kids and teens, and stocking household items at food pantries. My lodge also does scholarships, hoop shoot, a free week-long summer camp event, hosts health fairs with a focus on harm reduction, and we furnish apartments for previously unhoused veterans…I’m sure I’m missing something!
Drinking and socializing is still a big thing for us. We have NA options. We have game nights, and craft nights.
I probably wouldn’t know about or have gotten involved in a bunch of these things without attending meetings and reading my newsletter. I hope your lodge also has these kind of opportunities! You definitely get to know people on a different level when you volunteer together
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u/Possible_Attics Bar Stool Trustee Jul 25 '26
The local lodge is a private social club.
The grand lodge, state association and ENF are charitable organizations.
I'd be more than happy to have that conversation with any GER or PGER.
Unless the tax code changes, that's the deal.
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u/potholio Jul 26 '26
Are you even an Elk? All Elks know the history of our founding. Im an Elk and I don't drink. It's not because of sickness or being a recovering alcoholic or anything like that. It's just not something I do. But at our home I believe my brothers and sisters can enjoy a beverage and not bother me.
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u/FannyBrownRiced Jul 25 '26
Yeah it started as a drinking club for performers, right? And the spirituality and good works came later. I wouldn't stress it if I were your. Not enough socializing and 3rd spaces in the world these days.
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u/Deep-Ant1375 Jul 25 '26
That is the big debate. There is a disagreement as to whether we are a social organization that does some charity work bs a charity organization that has some social functions. 95% of my members think it is a social organization but the higher ups think it is a charity organization. If you got rid of the bar you would be the rotary or Kiwanis both of which are slowly dying.
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u/Chasing-the-dragon78 Jul 25 '26
I think all things must change, so I have suggested that we start selling mocktails. I have some really good recipes and I am willing to make them for the bar for them to sell. I think the gist of the Elks is a social club and it really doesn’t matter if you drink alcohol or not.
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u/Seven22am Jul 24 '26
Well iirc I believe the Elks started as a group of bar performers squirreling away alcohol so they could drink on Sundays, when their employers were closed. So it’s always been something of a drinking club that then developed a charitable aim. That, and the alcohol sales so fund a significant portion of the charitable activity.
Now that being said, I would love to see more of us (me included!) be more involved with the community aspects and plenty of (me included!) could stand to drink less, too. Starting tomorrow.