Oregon Ponders All-Ages Shows

Officials with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission are considering letting older teens go to live music venues that sell alcohol – with some stipulations.

The state currently prohibits minors from going to venues that sell alcohol unless it’s possible to segregate under-21s from adults, as is done at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom.

The OLCC is considering amending the law to allow minors to go to concerts in clubs provided the venue has a control plan, such as using wristbands, as a deterrent to underage drinking.

"They do see a place to stick their foot in, to get young people into these venues for concerts," said commission spokesman Ken Palke. "But we have to make sure the booze and the young kids don’t get together."

Cary Clarke, a co-founder of the all-ages PDX Pop Now! festival, told the paper that opening more venues to older teens – with controls in place – would benefit Portland’s live music scene.

"Right now, the economics of the live event business are such that it is nearly impossible to stay in business without selling alcohol," Clarke said.

The OLCC accepted public comment on the subject through November 13th.