Sorry, young'uns, Beantown's strictly 21 and up

Given the recent uproar regarding the lack of social outlets on the Tufts campus, it is no wonder that many students flock to the bars in Boston. However, in spite of the abundance of college-aged students in the Boston area, Beantown isn't so welcoming to underage partygoers.

A 2000 census profile states that, "Boston is the university capital of the nation, housing more 20- to 24-year-olds than any other age group." The existence of this large college-age demographic has contributed to a strict fake ID policy among Boston hotspots.

According to 21-year old senior Bianca Fargnoli, Boston is not the place to try out a new fake ID. After having fake IDs confiscated twice at bars in Boston in the past, Fargnoli is relieved to finally be able to hand a bouncer her ID without hesitation.

"The bouncer at Rumor just took it, said 'thanks,' and put it in his coat pocket. That was that - no scanning or anything. I was scared to try my luck after that," Fargnoli said.

Students say the ID policy in Boston and surrounding areas is especially intimidating in comparison to other cities. Senior Dominique de Ledebur, a Miami, Fla. native, has had a similar experience to Fargnoli.

"I've always been able to use my fake ID in Miami, but I've had an ID taken away twice in Boston," de Ledebur said. "I think they are particularly strict on out-of-state IDs in general."

 

Senior Heather Hauswirth said that, even though Boston's ID policy is tough, "a lot of people still have fakes," though "they are not used as frequently at Tufts as they are at other schools."

According to Hauswirth, some students avoid fake IDs for fear of being left out if they get caught using one. "People tend to stay on and around campus until they are 21 because everyone knows it's no fun being the only one [in a group] who couldn't get in, stuck all the way in Boston," she said.

Alcohol vendors in the area confirmed the sentiment that Boston-area businesses follow the law. Shea Chafey, a former bouncer at the Joshua Tree in Davis Square, agreed that it is difficult for students under 21 to drink.

"There are definitely strict guidelines to be followed in Davis Square. The J-Tree is no exception," Chafey said. "Fake IDs are not permitted because of the huge liability that a bar can face if they are caught letting people in with fakes."

Kim Le, an employee at the Hong Kong in Harvard Square, a popular college bar that borders the Boston party scene, said she's had the same experience.

"The Kong is pretty strict on IDs, and they would usually take the ID away instead of just turning the people away," Le said.

Although employees at Hillsides Liquor Store in Medford refused to comment, liquor vendors have implemented new technology, including scanners, to detect false IDs. Additionally, Channel 22, the NBC affiliate station based in Springfield, Mass., recently reported on its Web site that some liquor stores offer courses to train store employees how to recognize false IDs.

Laws regarding fake IDs vary by state. In Boston, confiscated fake IDs are supposed to be turned over to police, who then proceed to fax copies to college and university officials. The university is then responsible for taking whatever action they choose.

In Massachusetts, it is a felony to alter a state-issued driver's license or present someone else's license as one's own. Using a completely fake ID to buy alcohol is only a misdemeanor, the punishment for which is not as severe as it would be if an actual government-issued Massachusetts ID had been altered in some way, such as changing the date of birth or name on the card.

Fake IDs in Boston are no joke, and students have accepted that fact. When it comes to drinking, senior Sally Greenwald said, "the Bean scene is certainly not a teen scene."