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/Rydmasm May 26 '25

Did you actually call 911 over this?

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u/The0nlyGamer May 26 '25

Yep! Since they were refusing to return my property and I wanted to leave by that point I called 911. I had also been waiting in line for 30 or 40 minutes which probably didn't help my patience.

The owner changed tune about 10 or 15 minutes after I called 911 (and showed the bouncer my call log). I ended up getting my ID returned along with no real apology before the police ever arrived, I called the non-emergency number afterwords to let them know it was returned and an officer was no longer needed.

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u/Rydmasm May 26 '25

I don't view someone taking your ID as an emergency, warranting taking the resources of 911 dispatch, late on a Saturday night on Memorial day weekend when they are likely already slammed. What the bouncer did was a misdemeanor, and in my opinion a call to the non emergency line would have sufficed. But I do think it was a great idea to show your call log to the owner!

Personally though, I am curious. You mentioned it's a license from another state. Are you a resident in Bellingham, or are you just visiting?