Related: Dangerous drinking progress without 21-ordinance

Although both Iowa City and Lincoln lack 21-ordinances, almost no one under 21 frequents Lincoln’s downtown bar scene.

Police, city officials, bartenders, managers and owners agree: The cost of admitting underage people is just too great. And University of Nebraska students say most of those underage don’t even try.

“You put yourself at such a risk if you’re not 21 and over,” said Rick Vannice, a manager at Woody’s Pub. He said the dimly lit joint caters primarily to young professionals. “You don’t know who has been drinking before they got there. The liabilities of it are just absurd. We don’t want those problems.”

Vannice said he would rather be less busy and have responsible drinkers. “For me, it’s just not sound business,” he said.
Bars that serve minors can be fined, potentially losing their liquor licenses, said Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission oversees those with the privilege to serve, holding hearings and responding with warnings, suspensions, and possible revocations when complaints arise.

“The consequences are really to the liquor licensee more than they are to the underage drinker,” he said. “It’s a big risk for them.”

But Casady said he doesn’t have many complaints with Lincoln bars. Most already effectively limit entry to those who aren’t of age.

However the longtime cochairman of the city’s coalition to reduce high-risk drinking said other cities might need to consider imposing restrictions to keep underage drinkers out.

“My impression is always that good management trumps law, but sometimes it takes changing the law if you have an unhealthy environment that has sprung up where people are not paying attention and not being held accountable,” he said.
— Danny Valentine