LAN Center that serves alcohol...

[jdcross0525]

I find this idea verrrrry intriguing! lol

But seriously, how is the best way to approach this method? I really like the idea but wasn't sure how it would work with ppl being there younger than 21. Or is that even legal?

I have seen where there is one night a week where a gc will sell beer and wine after certain hours. But is beer and wine different from liquor? Can a gc sell liquor/beer to 21+ while kids 20 and younger are there? Can you actually set up certain times where you must be 21+ to enter the gc?

My general idea; being able to serve alcohol to 21+ but still be able to have the younger ppl there too. Possible??

[Alomax]

This is a complex set of questions to answer. Laws vary from state to state, so take everything I'm about to say with a grain of salt.

If you are not a restaurant (your primary  business is food) you cannot serve alcohol if minors are present unless they are in a completely separate area, and no alcohol is allowed to enter that area. (I've seen clubs like this).

Beer, wine, and hard liquor all require separate types of licenses. You don't need separate licenses (I don't think), but the license you get will specify exactly what you are and are not allowed to serve, and the restrictions on quantity, times, and alcohol content of the drinks.

And now my standard demographic rant :
IMO, if you can get a liquor license, get it, build a LAN for 21+ ONLY, and never look back.  Targeting the younger crowd is all well and good, but it is not (IMO) the optimal idea.  The age of the average gamer is 35+. Serve alcohol, target an age range of 21-40 (at least). Don't serve alcohol, and you miss out on that potential income (markup on booze is HUGE), and only gain the sales to 12-20 yr olds.

For inspiration look at the Mana Bar and Barcade

[RsteeleAUG]

There is a place in Atlanta that serves a full menu and alcohol called http://battleandbrew.com/ They seem to do very well.

There's also a place in Las Vegas called http://www.insertcoinslv.com/ also seem to do very well.

I'd really like to have another location that was 21 and up closer to downtown. We've looked in to private parties and BYOB but I'd require high deposits and a higher than normal hourly rate because the chance of accidents and damage increases a bit with the drinking.

Research local liquor license requirements some places have certain requirements about the physical location, sinks, inspections, ect.

[jdcross0525]

Thanks for the input.

I have seen multiple times throughout different post's where someone mentions BYOB. Would you have to have a license for this? I think this would be a cool idea as well, but you're completely right about higher prices/deposits. drunk ppl can be pretty clumsy lol

[RsteeleAUG]

If it's a completely private party I see no reason for any licensing or permits. Since the people that rent the place bring in their own drinks. However it probably depends on where your located and your county/city policies. I haven't done one of these events yet but I have had several customers ask and I always tell them the same thing.

We will have paper work they have to sign, anything they damage they pay for, no alcohol any where outside the store, and we keep the general public locked out.

[Skyshark]

I think serving alcohol and having an all ages facility does bring some other issues up.  It really depends on the demographic you're catering to.  If you're restricting to 21 and up it's a big bonus...with the added costs of licensing and liability.  That also may limit the staff you're allowed to hire, depending on local and state regulations regarding alcohol sales. 

Here in FL Beer and Wine is a separate license than Liquor...and also much easier to get for fees and zoning...but both will change the atmosphere of your establishment. 

It certainly is possible because every neighborhood grille serves liquor and has all ages customers.   The key is whether that servers your business plans better to have that aspect.  Will that drive away a key customer group (i.e. will parents allow their middle/high school kids to hang out)?