under 21 shutdown, Atlanta venues Options

[*CowerPointyObjects*]

A new law proposed will prevent anyone under 21 from entering venues in Atlanta that serve alcohol. This does not, obviously, include restaurants, but it does include pretty much all clubs where concerts are held, meaning that if this is passed, the tickets I've bought for shows next month will be completely useless (unless I get a fake ID, which I hadn't really planned on doing since I barely look my age). Here's an article for more information:

Atlanta Bans All Under 21 People From Going To Shows

By ERIC STIRGUS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/18/07

The days of nightclubs hosting "18 to party, 21 to drink" events may soon come to an end in Atlanta.

The Atlanta City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday prohibiting anyone younger than 21 from entering or working at businesses where alcohol is consumed. It should go into effect next week.

Councilwoman Cleta Winslow, who wrote the ordinance, said she is troubled by the city's law that allowed 18-year-olds to work in businesses where people are drinking. It does not affect restaurants where alcohol is served, nor supermarkets or convenience stores.

Winslow worries about teenagers drinking in strip clubs or bars and endangering themselves.

"Since a person under 21 can't drink in a nightclub, they should not be in these establishments," said Winslow, chairwoman of the council's public safety committee.

Greg Pridgeon, chief of staff to Mayor Shirley Franklin, said she would not veto the ordinance. Pridgeon said Franklin was concerned that the old rules allowed teenagers to drink and harm themselves or others.

"It seemed a little inconsistent you had people [under 21] working in these establishments and people who were patrons having to show ID to get in," Pridgeon said.

Winslow said teenagers working in strip clubs are more likely to fall into prostitution or taking drugs.

"We need to help our young ladies feel like they have some self-worth," said Winslow, 55, who said she worked three part-time jobs while in college. "We need to be more about protecting our young people. Even at 18 because the mind is not as mature at that level."

Pete Carver, an employee at the House Nightclub in Underground Atlanta, disagreed with Winslow's thinking.

"A lot of 25-year-olds act like they're still in high school," said Carver, 31.

Carver described the ordinance as the latest attempt by local government to "micromanage" the area's nightlife. DeKalb County commissioners are considering rolling back last call on most days from 3:55 a.m. to 2 a.m. After a string of fatal shootings in the Buckhead party district, the Atlanta City Council in 2003 ordered bars to stop serving alcohol at 2:30 a.m. and to close their doors at 3 a.m.

Although the House Nightclub does not permit anyone in under 21, Carver said decisions about age limits should be left to business owners.

"The city can't make the best judgment for every individual nightclub," he said.

At Goosebumps, a strip club in downtown Atlanta, the management said it would comply with the ordinance, although it has some dancers younger than 21. The club requires dancers older than 21 to wear plastic wristbands to prevent anyone younger from being served alcohol..."

How do you feel about this? Is it fair? Do you feel that the measures they're taking are necessary, or even just? Will it be effective, or will it just make law-breaking even more prevalent? Discuss.