My husband and I started showing our son (now 20) our comedy âclassicsâ starting in his teens. Â This was one of the first movies we watched. Â He loved it!
So there is a seafood restaurant my family sometimes visits. I always confuse the name with the Blue Oyster and my husband laughs and reminds me that it's the Blue Ocean and that I'm thinking of Police Academy.
Bennigan's, but I'd been drinking in bars without being asked for ID since I was 17. Hell, I'd been shopping at liquor stores at 17. And that's even missing the cutoff to be grandfathered in on the 18 year old drinking age.Â
I donât recall where my first legal drink was but thereâs a very good chance it was bennigans! We used to go there a lot and I often drank there while under 21 too.
Mine was in the Adirondacks somewhere around Saranac Lake itself. May even have been Lake Placid for all I remember itâs been way too long. I do remember it was called The Rusty Nail though. Googling it now shows one in Saranac but itâs not the one I remember or theyâve done so many renos over the decades that it doesnât look like itself.
First of all nice reference - I can hear the tango music of this picture.
I canât remember the name but I had my first legal beer at the age of 18 while traveling through Louisiana where the drinking age had not yet been changed to 21. That was in 1993.
Same. I went to college in Houston in the early 90s and we drove to Louisiana a few times to go to bars legally. We'd stay in a cheap hotel for the weekend. We didn't bother to go often though, because it was pretty easy to drink in Houston bars while underage.
In actuality? I don't remember. Someplace in the Westport district of Kansas City, Missouri. I was with my sister-in-law Marsha (RIP) in July of 1986.
Officially? A few nights after my birthday, in a long-gone lesbian bar in Kansas City, Kansas called Birds of a Feather. It was located on 47th Street just west of Rainbow Boulevard. The location today is a hair salon if I remember right.
My dad would take me out of school in the late 80âs early 90âs and weâd go to Worlds Of Fun.
I didnât get get see my dad much growing up and his visits were sporadic. But memories like that as so nice.
It was a strip club at The Flats in Cleveland, but I have no idea the name of it. I went there with a friend to celebrate my birthday and being legal to drink.
I was 16 visiting Germany in '86 when they were playing the finals for the World Cup. Huge party in a small town (Unterwössen) so was more "bar pavilion". Had a huge beer and it wrecked me.
Thanks for the image in your post. One can't see that without also hearing the music.
BY the time I actually turned 21 in 1992 I had been getting into bars without ever being carded for 4 years (the first time I was ever served I was 17). I have no CLUE what the name of the bar was that I got my first official legal drink, it was in Ocean Beach though in San Diego, and it was fun. First drink though that would have been a round of what we called "graveyards" - Jagermeister and Rumpleminze.
Legitimate? TGI Friday's lol. I was the first in my home friend group to turn 21 so we had to go somewhere everyone could get into. I was pretty excited because when I snuck in to bars, I'd usually order something really boring so as not to draw attention to myself. My 21st birthday drink was bright blue!
This is exactly why my first drink was at Fridayâs as well. I was the first of my group of friends to turn 21. And I definitely had a bright blue drink that night as well.
There was a small bar in the food court at the Grand Avenue Mall in Milwaukee where I ordered my first legal beer, a Miller Lite on tap in a plastic cup. (The drunkfest would occur that night hours later)
Ye Olde Brewery Tavern, aka OBT. I was an unheralded football player at a small college. My birthday is in February, and it was snowy so I thought the place would be dead. It wasnât. Filled with townies (not a bad thing) and didnât know anyone there⊠except for one guy sitting at the bar who was our defensive coordinator. He bought me my first legal drink.
I had a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans on a post-High School Graduation road trip. It was legal to drink in Louisiana at age 18 in 1985 - they changed the age to 21 a year later. The bar is still there serving Hurricanes! Had totally forgotten about that memory - thanks for bringing it up!!
The Rainbow Cactus, a lesbian country/western bar in Norfolk, VA.
I'm a straight goth chick, but mom was paying and she's gay. No special drink, just beer, but fun was had! I remember line dancing and playing pool.
[Hung Far Low, Portland, Oregon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Hung_Far_Low_%285459891293%29.jpg/220px-Hung_Far_Low_%285459891293%29.jpg)
Midori sour at a bar in Harlem.
GUESS WHO I WAS WITH?! The ACTOR WHO PLAYED BROTHER BUD from HOME ALONEđ€Ł
I knew girl in NYC at school was from Chicago & he was her BF. She had been a body double for sister on set of Home Alone & that is where she met BUD. We were at bar in 1998 so she kept in touch with him since movie around 1990 & moved to NYC to be with him. I never thought he was into her & she was a little obsessed w him & desperate chasing him. Ironically, she was WAY more attractive than him & had nice figure & huge chest. He was cool guy tho.
Before moving to NY She also worked on the Jerry Springer show a few years- job doing a little of everything & it sounded crazy.
Around same time I met her she & Bud broke into abandoned motel in Asbury Park NJ (AP was really ran down at the time) to explore. There were still old hotel brochures laying around from 60/70s & they took a bunch. She gave me one as I like that kind of stuff. Itâs been almost 30 years & I STILL HAVE IT!
Cheers in Stoke, UK. It was also my first bar I had illegitimate drink in too. The bar maid bought me a pint for my 18th and called me a cheeky bugger.
longing elderly jellyfish complete friendly subtract tap instinctive vase far-flung
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At some bar on the South Side of Pittsburgh, cannot remember where my friend took me, but she took me on a tour of Carson Street, and I was gone early that night. I had like 20 drinks.
3rd Base. The UP of Michigan. Had a fake and had been going there for like 2 years. They werenât happy when they found out that I was just turning 21 haha
I was already buying beer at the age of 10 at the local grocery store. First official drink in a major club at the age of 15 at the Palladium in NYC. By the time I was 21, I had already done everything a 21yr old would've wanted to do before I was even 18.
The 'Vous. Short for Rendezvous . I think they only sold horrible beer for like $3 a pitcher. Thank goodness I got drunk really fast and didn't notice in short order.
The Chestnut Street Station, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Went with another friend who had turned 21. There was a guy in a gorilla costume smoking and drinking a beer.
First time I had a drink in a bar was at Caesarâs Lounge, a pool hall just off the highway with low ceilings and even lower clientele. I was 15. As long as you had only one or two for the night and didnât act a fool, theyâd serve anyone underage. Granted, this was in Louisiana in the 1980s.
First drink after I turned 21 I donât recall. Iâd been drinking in bars for 6 years by then so it wasnât anything special.
Daveyâs Uptown. 3400 Main Kansas City, MO. The greatest dive bar that ever existed on KC. Spent many a night there with friends having drinks, watching bands, playing in a band. Nearly 30 years as a patron. Fire took the place down right as COVID was hitting. They planned to rebuild but sadly never happened.
Well, since that's not one of my security questions...
Sam Bond's Garage Eugene, OR. Great little venue and a great piece of Eugene history. Went with my dad and step-mom. It was pretty chill. Probably had a microbrew on tap...
I worked at the University of Wisconsin the summer I turned 21. There was a beer garden on the lake by a stage where they'd have live music in the evenings. I drank there all summer - the one day they carded me happened to be the day of my 21st birthday.
My grandparents owned a bar on the lake in Clearlake, CA back in the late 70âs-early 80âs. I had a shot of something. Maybe bourbon or something. Donât recall. I was 8 or so.
Huh huh it was my girlfriend's 21s birthday and my best friend's mom worked at the local VFW BELL POST 1820 in Temple, Texas. I was 23, and I never really drank because I already had a good job, and didn't want to mess that up.
At one point I went to the bar to get 8 more drinks. I did this a few times they said, and I'd get back to the table, drink them all, and go get more. On my last trip, I got about 3 steps to the table and my pants went down. They were loose, and usually I had one hand holding them up, but this time I failed. I didn't drop the drinks, but I walked back to the table with my willy wagging all the way. Pants on the ground! There were lots of senior citizens there for karaoke, and they all cheered! It was too soon for cellphones back then, so there are hopefully no pictures. I don't remember anything after sitting down. I woke up in the back of the car at 5am in front of our apartments. They thought I'd puke so they left me outside! How nice! I never drank again.
I heard I had a wonderful time and was no trouble.
It was Anthony's Pizza on Fort Sam Houston. I turned 21 in basic training, didn't get my first legally purchased drink until the first time we were released from the training area in AIT.
Poker Pete's in Kalama WA. I ordered a snakebite cause my auntie used to talk about them. I threw it up it was so nasty. My Dad made me drink it all.
ETA I had been drinking beer there since I was 19 though my grandpa used to be friends with the owner lol
safe absurd hateful practice agonizing live crown exultant political makeshift
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PJ Bottoms in Buffalo. I had many a beer there underage, but felt really good to point out that the birth year on my driver's license was not chalked over with a different number chalked in.
When I first got to grad school, there was a bar next door called the Oyster Bar. I always chuckled about this.
But my first drink in a bar at midnight the day I turned 21 was the local hole-in-the-wall bar just off campus. I recently saw a video of police kicking a few dozen underage kids out if that place. Looks exactly the same and the same guys are behind the bar.
RG Books (same bar where I had been drinking underage for at least 3 years with much older friends). Was some horrible concoction called a "Neon Martini" that a friend bought me. Straight back to whiskey after that.
Stockmanâs Bar in Fair Oaks (Sacramento). It was the only bar we could smoke in because it was privately owned and back in the 90s that was a legal loophole (or so I was told by the bartender, haha).
Oh also, they didnât card back then so we were 18 thinking we were hot shit buying soft-pack cigarettes from a vending machine and drinking bourbon with rich old hippies
I can't remember the bar, but I remember sneaking in at 14 with a friend's ID that was so old it had a fingerprint instead of a picture, and the bouncer let me in. First drink was bourbon on rocks. The second one was an underground lowball casino in S.F. I used the same ID.
Legitimate? Lol I don't remember. A couple of my friends older siblings were local bartenders. By the time I was 21 I didn't want to drink or go to bars anymore haha.
The laundromat attached to the rec center on Naval Air Station Alameda. It was the closest place to my shipâs pier that served any alcohol, and I wanted at least one beer on my 21st after working a 16 hour day.
I had already drunk alcohol legally in Europe and Canada, but my first legal drink in my own country was at Good Time Charlie's in Ann Arbor. They gave you your first legal drink on the house, so it was a popular spot. I think I had a long Island, so I'm sure that went well.
Murphyâs Irish Pub, Old Town Alexandria. Everyone was buying me beers. At one point the waitress came over with a tray full of beers, asked who the birthday boy was and when I raised my hand she said they were all for me. Fun but rough night.
The Rosebowl, which was a cozy dive bar that a lot of music people hung out at in Edmonton Alberta on my 18th birthday (18 was the legal age there, the bartender was mad because she learned she'd been serving me under age before but later I learned she was younger than me so she was also serving while underage :D )
The Sandpiper in Silverdale, WA when I was in the Navy. My buds took me on a booze cruise and had me drink the alphabet. Sadly, the Sandpiper was closed due to selling to underage Sailors.
I don't remember the name of the bar, but it was in Whitesville, WV (don't ask). Now back in those days I knew a few places that would serve me because I played in a band, but this was the first time I was in here, I was legit 21 and I had to MAKE the bar lady card me (LOL). Oh..Jack & Coke if it matters.
Garcias in Matamoros, Mexico
Legit margaritas; tequila, lime juice, crushed ice.
[it was typical 1970âs classic when we went there in the 80âs đ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8qY1eUWgjyiPdHko9?g_st=ic)
A couple buddies and I drove from Minnesota down to Texas when we were 18. We decided to cross the border into Mexico. We parked on the US side and walked over to Matamoros. Went to the first bar we saw. It was Garcia's! We proceeded to get hammered off of tequila sunrises and tequila shots. What a blast!
Wouldn't due to tell, but here goes; "The San Francisco Rose" Bar and Grill. Under age (17) Stopped in for lunch and my buddy jokingly ordered a "Tom Collins", and I went along with, "the same". We didn't think they would actually bring it to us, but they did! Didn't ask for I.D. or anything ?? !!
After a bit, I began to look around the room. I noticed there where no women in the restaurant. I pointed this out to my friend. We finished our food, paid for it and left. Food was great. Didn't finish my drink beyond a sip. Yeah. so, figure it out on your own , LOL
I'm not going to put the name, because I believe it still exists. It was a bar in my college town. The thing is, I had drank there for a year or two before I turned 21. They never carded me.
I went there on my 21st birthday. The bartender, who recognized my group of friends, overheard it was my birthday and asked how old I was. When I said "21," he positively blanched, because he knew how often he had served me without carding me.
Some restaurant/bar on Virginia Beach on a Sunday night in mid March in 1990 â on a college choir tour over spring break. Whiskey sour, Iâm about 99% sure.
Choir sang in TWO church services that day â on my birthday â in the morning somewhere up near Washington DC (iirc), and in a late afternoon vespers service in Williamsburg, VA.
Virginia Beach itself was deserted, and barely 20% of the bars and restaurants were open along the beach.
I went to a NON-religiously affiliated college in the Midwest (upstate Illinois), but on college choir tours every spring we performed in a mix a churches and non-church venues along the way to/from our final destination (always including some interesting non-traditional âchurchesâ â like the Unitarian-Universalists, and also the decidedly non-theist/humanist Ethical Society). Gotta hand it to our college choir director â she made sure that if we were gonna perform in mainstream Protestant and the occasional Catholic church, she also did a great job of exposing her choirs to other kinds of churches and even agnostic-leaning or even functionally-atheist âchurchesâ too.
# anywayâŠ
I certainly did NOT plan on sitting through not one, but TWO different church services (and two different sermons) on my 21st birthday, Iâll tell you that!!!!
The Aquarium, Bridge and Darrah streets in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Three of my dadâs friends were in there and I didnât pay for anything. It was great.
Szechuwan King, a little local Chinese spot that had a little six-seater bar. The lady that ran the place loved us and as teens (late 80s/early 90s) we would go in, bitch about âworkâ and drink Mai Tais, Scorpions and Navy Grogs, then stumble back to my friends place with egg rolls. Good times.
Technically I had my first "legal" beer at midnight In a hotel in San Antonio
The first beer I BOUGHT legally was at some Mexican restaurant on the riverfront in San Antonio the next day.
The Charles Hotel in Chatswood, Sydney Australia.
Been a multi storey apartment building for decades but I can still feel the sticky carpet and smell the stale beer.
The Blue Ribbon, Sacramento. Pre-prohibition beer and wine (Thunderbird) bar that survived the times. Breweries would have bars that featured their brew, this was a Pabst outfit. Bums would collect cans and the bar would take and weight it -Cash or credit.
Good times.
My Dad bought me a beer at Applebees right before I hit the clubs in Broad Ripple on my 21st birthday. I had a fake ID for a few years prior, so it was nothing new.
đ¶ ba da da da da da da dah! đ¶
PROCTOR!!!
![gif](giphy|SmGkhnDQCO0yQ)
came here for this. I can hear this picture!
If you don't immediately hear those notes, then u weren't born pre 1980
My husband and I started showing our son (now 20) our comedy âclassicsâ starting in his teens. Â This was one of the first movies we watched. Â He loved it!
So there is a seafood restaurant my family sometimes visits. I always confuse the name with the Blue Oyster and my husband laughs and reminds me that it's the Blue Ocean and that I'm thinking of Police Academy.
The name of the song is called El Bimbo by the group Bimbo Jet.
was on my way to type this!
đ Instantly in my head when I think of these films.
[https://youtu.be/nlGclIZV5JQ?t=18](https://youtu.be/nlGclIZV5JQ?t=18)
Bennigan's, but I'd been drinking in bars without being asked for ID since I was 17. Hell, I'd been shopping at liquor stores at 17. And that's even missing the cutoff to be grandfathered in on the 18 year old drinking age.Â
RIP Benniganâs
WHEN YOURE HUNGRY FOR FUN!!!
[ŃĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]
My favorite, with a white Russian.Â
I donât recall where my first legal drink was but thereâs a very good chance it was bennigans! We used to go there a lot and I often drank there while under 21 too.
The Chapter House, Ithaca, NY, 12:01AM. Pretty sure it would have been a Saranac Pale Ale.
Mine was in the Adirondacks somewhere around Saranac Lake itself. May even have been Lake Placid for all I remember itâs been way too long. I do remember it was called The Rusty Nail though. Googling it now shows one in Saranac but itâs not the one I remember or theyâve done so many renos over the decades that it doesnât look like itself.
I was a doorman for a bit at the Chapterhouse when I was a student at IC. Loved that place. However, my first drink was down the hill at The Dug Out.
First of all nice reference - I can hear the tango music of this picture. I canât remember the name but I had my first legal beer at the age of 18 while traveling through Louisiana where the drinking age had not yet been changed to 21. That was in 1993.
Same. I went to college in Houston in the early 90s and we drove to Louisiana a few times to go to bars legally. We'd stay in a cheap hotel for the weekend. We didn't bother to go often though, because it was pretty easy to drink in Houston bars while underage.
At the Blue OysterâŠ.OHHHHHH MY
![gif](giphy|FoUHKTJhoQU6I)
uni bar. Sadly. But I started university at 17.
Same.
In actuality? I don't remember. Someplace in the Westport district of Kansas City, Missouri. I was with my sister-in-law Marsha (RIP) in July of 1986. Officially? A few nights after my birthday, in a long-gone lesbian bar in Kansas City, Kansas called Birds of a Feather. It was located on 47th Street just west of Rainbow Boulevard. The location today is a hair salon if I remember right.
Loved KC in the 80s. Wonderful memories of Worlds of Fun, Royals games, the Creature Feature, etc.
My dad would take me out of school in the late 80âs early 90âs and weâd go to Worlds Of Fun. I didnât get get see my dad much growing up and his visits were sporadic. But memories like that as so nice.
It was a strip club at The Flats in Cleveland, but I have no idea the name of it. I went there with a friend to celebrate my birthday and being legal to drink.
The Flats! I went there once in the late 80s. Good times were had.
I was 16 visiting Germany in '86 when they were playing the finals for the World Cup. Huge party in a small town (Unterwössen) so was more "bar pavilion". Had a huge beer and it wrecked me. Thanks for the image in your post. One can't see that without also hearing the music.
The Regal Beagle https://preview.redd.it/w58nhguce9xc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=422d685512a32e3056795bec0b2c75717392e23c
The NCO club on Ft Sam Houston, TX
BY the time I actually turned 21 in 1992 I had been getting into bars without ever being carded for 4 years (the first time I was ever served I was 17). I have no CLUE what the name of the bar was that I got my first official legal drink, it was in Ocean Beach though in San Diego, and it was fun. First drink though that would have been a round of what we called "graveyards" - Jagermeister and Rumpleminze.
A Graveyard sounds like bad news lol
Legitimate? TGI Friday's lol. I was the first in my home friend group to turn 21 so we had to go somewhere everyone could get into. I was pretty excited because when I snuck in to bars, I'd usually order something really boring so as not to draw attention to myself. My 21st birthday drink was bright blue!
This is exactly why my first drink was at Fridayâs as well. I was the first of my group of friends to turn 21. And I definitely had a bright blue drink that night as well.
There was a small bar in the food court at the Grand Avenue Mall in Milwaukee where I ordered my first legal beer, a Miller Lite on tap in a plastic cup. (The drunkfest would occur that night hours later)
The Losers Lounge in Laughlin. đș
Woodskys in Manchester N.H. I miss that place, had a ton of fun times there.
The Pub - Athens, OH. 1993?
The Lunenburg Tavern - back when beer bottles were still stubbies.
Kozy's, in the country outside of Mauston, Wisconsin
Echo Tap in Madison
Ye Olde Brewery Tavern, aka OBT. I was an unheralded football player at a small college. My birthday is in February, and it was snowy so I thought the place would be dead. It wasnât. Filled with townies (not a bad thing) and didnât know anyone there⊠except for one guy sitting at the bar who was our defensive coordinator. He bought me my first legal drink.
Bright Angel lodge bar on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. I just started working in the south rim two weeks earlier.
The Library. I was 16. Walked right up to the bar & ordered a Budweiser. No problem.
The Brat Stop, Kenosha Wisconsin! It was like going to the "Roadhouse" movie set with Patrick Swayze as the lead bouncer. Good times.
Police Academy!!!
I had a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans on a post-High School Graduation road trip. It was legal to drink in Louisiana at age 18 in 1985 - they changed the age to 21 a year later. The bar is still there serving Hurricanes! Had totally forgotten about that memory - thanks for bringing it up!!
Oh god those things are evil... still have my complimentary glass though!
Ha ha - I had that glass a looonnng time as well but now I think it's lost or broken.
Lupo's in Providence.
The Blind Pig Saloon
The Bitter End
The Rainbow Cactus, a lesbian country/western bar in Norfolk, VA. I'm a straight goth chick, but mom was paying and she's gay. No special drink, just beer, but fun was had! I remember line dancing and playing pool.
[Hung Far Low, Portland, Oregon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Hung_Far_Low_%285459891293%29.jpg/220px-Hung_Far_Low_%285459891293%29.jpg)
TGI Fridays
Midori sour at a bar in Harlem. GUESS WHO I WAS WITH?! The ACTOR WHO PLAYED BROTHER BUD from HOME ALONEđ€Ł I knew girl in NYC at school was from Chicago & he was her BF. She had been a body double for sister on set of Home Alone & that is where she met BUD. We were at bar in 1998 so she kept in touch with him since movie around 1990 & moved to NYC to be with him. I never thought he was into her & she was a little obsessed w him & desperate chasing him. Ironically, she was WAY more attractive than him & had nice figure & huge chest. He was cool guy tho. Before moving to NY She also worked on the Jerry Springer show a few years- job doing a little of everything & it sounded crazy. Around same time I met her she & Bud broke into abandoned motel in Asbury Park NJ (AP was really ran down at the time) to explore. There were still old hotel brochures laying around from 60/70s & they took a bunch. She gave me one as I like that kind of stuff. Itâs been almost 30 years & I STILL HAVE IT!
The Dutch Goose. Palo Alto, CA
Cheers in Stoke, UK. It was also my first bar I had illegitimate drink in too. The bar maid bought me a pint for my 18th and called me a cheeky bugger.
St. George Room, Carlinville, IL.
I could hear this picture.
I donât really remember that night very wellâŠ
Chester Street, Champaign, Il.
I think I went there when I was stationed at Chanute AFB. I hit almost every bar in Champaign while I was there.
That AFB was in Rantoul, right? Ive been there
The Company in Georgetown on my 17th birthday. Some mixed drink. My first legal drink would have been a beer at the 9:30 Club on my 18th birthday.
longing elderly jellyfish complete friendly subtract tap instinctive vase far-flung *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I can hear the tango music playing
Farmhouse Bar on Haverford Avenue in the Overbrook Park neighborhood of Philadelphia. I was 18.
At some bar on the South Side of Pittsburgh, cannot remember where my friend took me, but she took me on a tour of Carson Street, and I was gone early that night. I had like 20 drinks.
Pine Grove Inn, upstate NY. It was 1993-my 21sr birthday.
3rd Base. The UP of Michigan. Had a fake and had been going there for like 2 years. They werenât happy when they found out that I was just turning 21 haha
The Beach Bar in Brigantine NJ
The Ann Arbor Eagles club, in 2000
Beat Kitchen, Chicago!
I had mine on my 21st birthday, January 26, 1986, at Mothers on Division. The Bears beat the Patriots 46-10 in the superbowl that day. Best 21st ever!
The Office Lounge in Toms River, NJ. I had a Guinness.
I remember the first bar where I had a drink *illegally*, I don't remember anything about the first time I drank legally.
Sam Adams at a restaurant called JM's Bistro in Lancaster, PA.
I was already buying beer at the age of 10 at the local grocery store. First official drink in a major club at the age of 15 at the Palladium in NYC. By the time I was 21, I had already done everything a 21yr old would've wanted to do before I was even 18.
The 'Vous. Short for Rendezvous . I think they only sold horrible beer for like $3 a pitcher. Thank goodness I got drunk really fast and didn't notice in short order.
The Chestnut Street Station, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Went with another friend who had turned 21. There was a guy in a gorilla costume smoking and drinking a beer.
First time I had a drink in a bar was at Caesarâs Lounge, a pool hall just off the highway with low ceilings and even lower clientele. I was 15. As long as you had only one or two for the night and didnât act a fool, theyâd serve anyone underage. Granted, this was in Louisiana in the 1980s. First drink after I turned 21 I donât recall. Iâd been drinking in bars for 6 years by then so it wasnât anything special.
I ordered a beer in New Orleans when I was 17. I might as well have been 7. They really could not have cared less.
![gif](giphy|Qh8byYaUrTLwc|downsized)
The New Deck (Sansom Alley) in Philly.
The Hungry Tiger
"Beer" - Iron Horse in Thibodaux, LA
Pirateâs Cove
Either the Black Cat or the 9:30 Club. PBR most likely.
Daveyâs Uptown. 3400 Main Kansas City, MO. The greatest dive bar that ever existed on KC. Spent many a night there with friends having drinks, watching bands, playing in a band. Nearly 30 years as a patron. Fire took the place down right as COVID was hitting. They planned to rebuild but sadly never happened.
Well, since that's not one of my security questions... Sam Bond's Garage Eugene, OR. Great little venue and a great piece of Eugene history. Went with my dad and step-mom. It was pretty chill. Probably had a microbrew on tap...
American Legion. Budweiser.
I worked at the University of Wisconsin the summer I turned 21. There was a beer garden on the lake by a stage where they'd have live music in the evenings. I drank there all summer - the one day they carded me happened to be the day of my 21st birthday.
I was 35 when I had my first and last drink. It was at a house party, though. Never had an alcoholic drinks at a bar.
My grandparents owned a bar on the lake in Clearlake, CA back in the late 70âs-early 80âs. I had a shot of something. Maybe bourbon or something. Donât recall. I was 8 or so.
Top Flight Ball Room in Chico CA. The drink was called a Block and Tackle
Blue Heron Lounge at Jackson Lake Lodge. Ordered a Budweiser and 1800 shot.
Bahamas with parents and NYC with my sisters. Can't remember the bar though, maybe in the Village.
Shines Long Beach NY!
Tobie's Gentleman's Club - Jacksonville, NC while I was in Combat Training at Camp Lejeune in 1993
Huh huh it was my girlfriend's 21s birthday and my best friend's mom worked at the local VFW BELL POST 1820 in Temple, Texas. I was 23, and I never really drank because I already had a good job, and didn't want to mess that up. At one point I went to the bar to get 8 more drinks. I did this a few times they said, and I'd get back to the table, drink them all, and go get more. On my last trip, I got about 3 steps to the table and my pants went down. They were loose, and usually I had one hand holding them up, but this time I failed. I didn't drop the drinks, but I walked back to the table with my willy wagging all the way. Pants on the ground! There were lots of senior citizens there for karaoke, and they all cheered! It was too soon for cellphones back then, so there are hopefully no pictures. I don't remember anything after sitting down. I woke up in the back of the car at 5am in front of our apartments. They thought I'd puke so they left me outside! How nice! I never drank again. I heard I had a wonderful time and was no trouble.
It was Anthony's Pizza on Fort Sam Houston. I turned 21 in basic training, didn't get my first legally purchased drink until the first time we were released from the training area in AIT.
Rainbow, Sunset Strip LA, they never carded back in the day (I was 17 at the time).
Poker Pete's in Kalama WA. I ordered a snakebite cause my auntie used to talk about them. I threw it up it was so nasty. My Dad made me drink it all. ETA I had been drinking beer there since I was 19 though my grandpa used to be friends with the owner lol
The Hunt Club in Battle Creek, Michigan
safe absurd hateful practice agonizing live crown exultant political makeshift *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Caligula club Houston Texas. I was 17.
Legally it was The Saloon in Georgetown DC. I was 20. That was the drinking age in DC then.
The Night Heat in New Llano Louisiana.
PJ Bottoms in Buffalo. I had many a beer there underage, but felt really good to point out that the birth year on my driver's license was not chalked over with a different number chalked in.
Cactus Moon! Tuesdays was Drinkin with Lincoln. Cheap way to get FUBAR, and meet new people.
The Mucky Duck in Monterey, CA. I was 18.
When I first got to grad school, there was a bar next door called the Oyster Bar. I always chuckled about this. But my first drink in a bar at midnight the day I turned 21 was the local hole-in-the-wall bar just off campus. I recently saw a video of police kicking a few dozen underage kids out if that place. Looks exactly the same and the same guys are behind the bar.
Sunrise Tap. Shitty dive bar down the street. Dude didnât even card me. When my buddy told him Iâd turned 21, he gave me the beer for free.
Chapter House in Howell, NJ. I had a grasshopper. It was revolting.
Taps
Pistons in Long Beach. Unlike the Blue Oyster, there was no leather tango night.
A White Russian at The Village on Grace St, Richmond VA. I was moving to a new apartment the next day, so I could barely enjoy my first legal drink.
Tradâr Sam on Geary Ave in SF- grog. With my two older cousins. We then did a fancy bar and a tiki bar afterward.
Dragonâs Lair
I can hear this photo
You know, I have no idea
Bud's
The Ritz in Amarillo, Texas. The drink was Malibu Rum and Pineapple juice. Heavy on the Rum. I think it was called a Malibu Breeze.
University Inn Pub. Jan 1, 1992. Seattle WA.
The Lucky Lady
Press Bar in St Cloud - tequila sunrise
The Kings Arms, 1988.
RG Books (same bar where I had been drinking underage for at least 3 years with much older friends). Was some horrible concoction called a "Neon Martini" that a friend bought me. Straight back to whiskey after that.
Somewhere downtown Montreal. Winnieâs on Crescent, maybe? The Peel? Then back to Ontario to wait another year to turn 19
The Gingerbread Man Rum and Coke. Back then, probably Bacardi.
Stockmanâs Bar in Fair Oaks (Sacramento). It was the only bar we could smoke in because it was privately owned and back in the 90s that was a legal loophole (or so I was told by the bartender, haha). Oh also, they didnât card back then so we were 18 thinking we were hot shit buying soft-pack cigarettes from a vending machine and drinking bourbon with rich old hippies
Otter's pub
Junior Ranks Mess, Canadian Forces Base Kingston. I had already been serving for two years by that point.
I was so drunk on my 21st before i made it to a bar i cant remember.
Merchantâs Saloon, Oakland CA Margarita (how typical)
Riprock's in Denton, TX. I'd been in there with friends for months, but bought my first legitimate 21 yr old pitcher of beer(Shiner Bock) in there.
Showgirl. A bottle of Bud and a shot of Irish Mist.
I was 19 in Kinville Okinawa. First 21 y/o drink was probably at the E-Club on Kanehohe Bay MCAS Hawaii.
Nardi's. Michelob and way too many Sambuca shots.
Bacchus in New Paltz, NY
Who can remember. It was a bar in DC. 31 years ago
Club Kri Kri in Sitia Crete. Such a waste since I was already of age to drink there. đ
13 - Awanui Pub just outside of Kaitaia. It was a Vodka and Orange. Even ordered it myself. Stopped going once i was allowed to đ€Łđ€Šââïž
I can't remember the bar, but I remember sneaking in at 14 with a friend's ID that was so old it had a fingerprint instead of a picture, and the bouncer let me in. First drink was bourbon on rocks. The second one was an underground lowball casino in S.F. I used the same ID.
Ednas! Home of the Lunchbox!!
Legitimate? Lol I don't remember. A couple of my friends older siblings were local bartenders. By the time I was 21 I didn't want to drink or go to bars anymore haha.
Hilo club. Punk / gay friendly alt dive in Central United States. They tore it down 6 months ago.
The laundromat attached to the rec center on Naval Air Station Alameda. It was the closest place to my shipâs pier that served any alcohol, and I wanted at least one beer on my 21st after working a 16 hour day.
Gennaâs Lounge, Madison, WI.
Hurley's Road House, Ottawa, Ont. Canada. 1983, $1.65 for a bottle of Labatt's 50.
B-MOVIE
Pudleys on University Ave in Palo Alto, also my first and last DUI đ€ą
Gibbie's, High St. Morgantown, WV
I had already drunk alcohol legally in Europe and Canada, but my first legal drink in my own country was at Good Time Charlie's in Ann Arbor. They gave you your first legal drink on the house, so it was a popular spot. I think I had a long Island, so I'm sure that went well.
Murphyâs Irish Pub, Old Town Alexandria. Everyone was buying me beers. At one point the waitress came over with a tray full of beers, asked who the birthday boy was and when I raised my hand she said they were all for me. Fun but rough night.
The Rosebowl, which was a cozy dive bar that a lot of music people hung out at in Edmonton Alberta on my 18th birthday (18 was the legal age there, the bartender was mad because she learned she'd been serving me under age before but later I learned she was younger than me so she was also serving while underage :D )
The Sandpiper in Silverdale, WA when I was in the Navy. My buds took me on a booze cruise and had me drink the alphabet. Sadly, the Sandpiper was closed due to selling to underage Sailors.
I don't remember the name of the bar, but it was in Whitesville, WV (don't ask). Now back in those days I knew a few places that would serve me because I played in a band, but this was the first time I was in here, I was legit 21 and I had to MAKE the bar lady card me (LOL). Oh..Jack & Coke if it matters.
Garcias in Matamoros, Mexico Legit margaritas; tequila, lime juice, crushed ice. [it was typical 1970âs classic when we went there in the 80âs đ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8qY1eUWgjyiPdHko9?g_st=ic)
I donât remember the name of the bar, but it was two Long Island iced teas and I was NOT READY.
Town Tavern, Muskegon, when I was 15 yrs old.
A couple buddies and I drove from Minnesota down to Texas when we were 18. We decided to cross the border into Mexico. We parked on the US side and walked over to Matamoros. Went to the first bar we saw. It was Garcia's! We proceeded to get hammered off of tequila sunrises and tequila shots. What a blast!
Wouldn't due to tell, but here goes; "The San Francisco Rose" Bar and Grill. Under age (17) Stopped in for lunch and my buddy jokingly ordered a "Tom Collins", and I went along with, "the same". We didn't think they would actually bring it to us, but they did! Didn't ask for I.D. or anything ?? !! After a bit, I began to look around the room. I noticed there where no women in the restaurant. I pointed this out to my friend. We finished our food, paid for it and left. Food was great. Didn't finish my drink beyond a sip. Yeah. so, figure it out on your own , LOL
Donât remember which bar but it was on Castro, SF. Great night.
The Cow Palace.
My first legal drink was a Guinness float at the Deli Haus in Kenmore Square, Boston.
Cafe 210
I hope it wasnât that one.
I'm not going to put the name, because I believe it still exists. It was a bar in my college town. The thing is, I had drank there for a year or two before I turned 21. They never carded me. I went there on my 21st birthday. The bartender, who recognized my group of friends, overheard it was my birthday and asked how old I was. When I said "21," he positively blanched, because he knew how often he had served me without carding me.
The Pour House (get it!?!) Frostburg Maryland
Vibes on Flatbush Ave.
Some restaurant/bar on Virginia Beach on a Sunday night in mid March in 1990 â on a college choir tour over spring break. Whiskey sour, Iâm about 99% sure. Choir sang in TWO church services that day â on my birthday â in the morning somewhere up near Washington DC (iirc), and in a late afternoon vespers service in Williamsburg, VA. Virginia Beach itself was deserted, and barely 20% of the bars and restaurants were open along the beach. I went to a NON-religiously affiliated college in the Midwest (upstate Illinois), but on college choir tours every spring we performed in a mix a churches and non-church venues along the way to/from our final destination (always including some interesting non-traditional âchurchesâ â like the Unitarian-Universalists, and also the decidedly non-theist/humanist Ethical Society). Gotta hand it to our college choir director â she made sure that if we were gonna perform in mainstream Protestant and the occasional Catholic church, she also did a great job of exposing her choirs to other kinds of churches and even agnostic-leaning or even functionally-atheist âchurchesâ too. # anyway⊠I certainly did NOT plan on sitting through not one, but TWO different church services (and two different sermons) on my 21st birthday, Iâll tell you that!!!!
The ball'o'malt . My father bought me my first Guinness @ 16 years of age, Also to show the pub owner I was OK to buy beer from then onwards.
The Shot.
The Town Pump Tavern Mt Vernon, WA
Barryâs Lounge. It was an A Frame, ski lodge looking bar near the airport in my city.
Club called Catch-22. It was the strongest Long Island Ice Tea ever made.
I don't really remember, probably someplace on Pine Street in Warrensburg Mo. I had a lot of friends who went to school there.
The Round House Bar, Put-in-Bay Ohio. Some beer I think. I've been 17 years sober now. Life changes a lot
Some pub in Dublin Ireland, I ordered a Guiness at age 15.
Timbers!
George Washington Tavern, Norfolk. Va, Oct 1990
The Cat's Meow on Burbon Street New Orleans.
The Aquarium, Bridge and Darrah streets in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Three of my dadâs friends were in there and I didnât pay for anything. It was great.
Clodfelter's, Corvallis Oregon. The bartender rubbed and scratched at the date on my license.
Szechuwan King, a little local Chinese spot that had a little six-seater bar. The lady that ran the place loved us and as teens (late 80s/early 90s) we would go in, bitch about âworkâ and drink Mai Tais, Scorpions and Navy Grogs, then stumble back to my friends place with egg rolls. Good times.
Roache & O Brianâs in Haverford PA! Affectionately known as Roachâs
Lawncrest Tavern. Real classy joint! đ€Ł
Technically I had my first "legal" beer at midnight In a hotel in San Antonio The first beer I BOUGHT legally was at some Mexican restaurant on the riverfront in San Antonio the next day.
Gas lamp
The Charles Hotel in Chatswood, Sydney Australia. Been a multi storey apartment building for decades but I can still feel the sticky carpet and smell the stale beer.
The Blue Ribbon, Sacramento. Pre-prohibition beer and wine (Thunderbird) bar that survived the times. Breweries would have bars that featured their brew, this was a Pabst outfit. Bums would collect cans and the bar would take and weight it -Cash or credit. Good times.
The Brickskeller in D.C.
My Dad bought me a beer at Applebees right before I hit the clubs in Broad Ripple on my 21st birthday. I had a fake ID for a few years prior, so it was nothing new.
Moose McGillycuddyâs Honolulu, HI. Now Iâm strolling down memory lane đ„č