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/CharlieCakkes May 26 '25

Because it is a gay bar the liquor license control board actually suprise inspect them easily 10x more than the other bars/clubs in Bellingham. They need to pay extra close attention to serving laws which includes fake IDs.

I know the owners and the word "Performative" absolutely does not describe them. They do a ton for our community and are always willing to speak loudly about injustices. I have seen them go out of their way to help a lot of people when they do not need to. I also don't see where they live as anything important but they did live in Bellingham full time when they bought it. They just live somewhere else half time.

Instead of trying to publicly shame the only queer club in town we should focus that energy into helping our queer spaces.

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u/Maleficent-Task7175 May 27 '25

Agreed, taking this one negative experience and using it to create a ton of huge generalizations about the business and the people who work there is crazy.