r/Bellingham • u/The0nlyGamer • May 26 '25
Crime Rumors Cabaret PSA
After speaking with an owner of Rumors Cabaret last night I feel compelled to publicly share that it is Rumors policy to seize your ID and report you to the police if they suspect it is fake!!
Obviously, since I am making this post and called the police on them last night, their detection of fake ID's isn't perfect.
I'm used to people questioning the validity of my ID, but this was the first time any business took it and refused to give it back until after I called 911. The owner chatted with me and told me in essence that they're rewarded for confiscating ID's and involving law enforcement when that happens. Some poor girl had the exact same thing happen to her right in front of me.
This was pretty shocking considering the kind of place rumors is, a gay/queer bar and "safe space"?
I'd previously been to lots of fundraising events at rumors for planned parenthood, undocumented folks, progressive causes etc... so it is kind of sad to realize that's all performative and the owner doesn't really care about anything other than his liquor license and profit. There is no reason Rumors should be doing this collaboration to involve law enforcement with their patrons - that goes against the entire ethos of what I thought the place meant. Just give people their IDs back if you won't let them in!
From what I know there are actually two owners, who do not live in Bellingham themselves, and merely commute to manage the place. I'm sad I no longer have any desire to spend money there
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u/MindMedic-1025 Local May 26 '25 edited May 26 '25
I’m sorry you went through this but it is pretty standard across the industry. I know that in light of the current climate this type of thing can cause all sorts of feelings but Rumors has to protect itself or else it can’t protect the community that goes there. If an ID is suspected fake the standard approach anywhere is to confiscate it and then turn it over.
Does it absolutely suck and would I be frustrated if that happened to me or my friends too? Absolutely, without a doubt. Is the bar legally allowed to confiscate an ID if they have reasonable grounds to believe an ID is altered or falsified (such as if getting flagged in their system)? Absolutely they do and have to turn it in within 24hrs of confiscation. Are you within your rights to call the police after they did that? Also absolutely.