Can kids sit at the bar? A recent Georgia law outlines rules for places that sell alcohol

Despite what the movie Sweet Home Alabama has to say about it, you can’t bring your baby to a bar in Georgia, and you can’t bring your young child or your teenager either.

In fact, thanks to “Michael’s Law,” passed in 2016, anyone under 21 is strictly prohibited from entering a bar at all.

What is Michael’s Law?

Also known as Georgia House Bill 152, Michael’s Law was created as a response to the death of Michael Gatto, an 18-year-old Georgia Southern University student. Gatto died suddenly after an altercation with a bouncer at a bar in Statesboro.

After his death in 2014, Gatto’s parents began researching the system of bar management that led to their son’s death, resulting in the House Bill being passed two years later. The law aims to reduce underage drinking and improve safety in bars.

The details of the law:

• A bar is defined “as an establishment that derives 75% or more of its revenue from alcohol sales.”

• Bars only admit patrons that are 21 and older.

• Individuals under 21 are also prohibited from working in bars as a bouncer or bartender.

• Counties must report alcohol violations to the Georgia Department of Revenue within 45 days.

• The manufacturing, possession or use of powdered alcohol (a powdered or crystalline substance that contains any amount of alcohol for direct use or reconstitution) is prohibited (with a few exceptions for research purposes).

What are the penalties for violating the law?

Typically, the penalties for violating the law are lobbied against the business owner and are enforced by local police departments.

• First violation: $750

• Second violation: if it’s within a three-year period of the first offense, the bar’s liquor license will be removed.

• If a county fails to report a citation, it will be fined by the state.

• For repeated violations, bars could face closure or restrictions on their operations.

• Individuals under 21 found in bars or working as bouncers or bartenders could face legal consequences that vary by county.

Are there exceptions to the law?

The law includes a few exemptions. Most notably, the law does not prevent minors from entering establishments when accompanied by a guardian.

• Music venues and restaurants are exempt from the 21 and up rule.

• Minors under 16 can sit at the bar in a restaurant, but need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult when in areas where alcohol is served.

• Underage musicians can perform in bars under certain conditions.

• Concert venues have some flexibility and often implement a system to designate underage patrons from the others.

Michael’s Law is the least of what restaurants or bars can do. Other venues can implement their own stricter policies regarding minors at bars and many establishments may make other guidelines to avoid potential issues.

Thoughts about babies (or children or teenagers) in bars? Email me or find me on Instagram .

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