Many organizations within Charleston rent out public bars for a night to host private parties; however, when planning these gatherings, many do not realize the same rules apply when it comes to minors inside the building.

“When a bar is opened and you are looking at a licensed establishment, and it is renting itself out for a private function, it is still utilizing its alcohol license,” said City Attorney Brian Bower.

This is the only way an establishment can legally sell alcohol.

The city ordinance for the 35 liquor licenses offered within the city requires all patrons inside the building to be older than 21, which includes the hours when the private parties are taking place, Bower said.

This also means the Charleston Police Department is still able to come into the establishment and check identification.

“As far as the city of Charleston is concerned, whether the bar is being used exclusively for a private function or a general public business function, it means the exact same thing,” Bower said.

According to the CPD’s records, six patrons were issued citations Feb. 17 to minors for purchasing and accepting alcohol and frequenting a licensed premise.

Mother’s Bar, 506 Monroe Ave., was the host of a Greek organization function and the police conducted an alcohol compliance check.

“The organization and the liquor license holder are the ones who are responsible for making sure only the appropriate aged people are going into the building consuming,” Bower said. “It certainly creates a difficult situation for the campus organizations who are trying to blend people who are legal to be in a licensed facility with others who are not.”

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or kzyskowski@eiu.edu.