Fake IDs may be a way of the past, thanks to vaccine passports

The days of grabbing the ID card of your brother, sister or friend to get into the bar underage may be over.

With the introduction of vaccine passports, the second layer of protection is being felt by the industry. Instead of worries of someone sneaking in with a fake ID, the vaccine passports allow the vendor to need at least two pieces of identification, regardless of age or the age the patron portrays.

Joe Jackson is the managing partner of Saskatoon’s PiNK Bar and Lounge. He recalled the days of grabbing a sibling’s ID, heading to the bar and sneaking in.

He adds in these times, it’s a lot harder to make it in.

“Back in the day, it was a lot easier,” Jackson explained. “In the before times … we really didn’t have a problem with a lot of underage (patrons).”

PiNK has a system called Patron Scan, which scans the person’s ID, takes a photo of them on their way in, and checks for past issues with the patron in establishments across Western Canada. The system also can detect whether a government-issued ID is fake, Jackson said.

(Pink/Facebook)

Regardless of the system, it puts Jackson at ease when looking at the new restrictions.

“I’ve actually been talking to another bar manager friend of mine who said, ‘These passports are great because it’s harder to sneak in.’ You’ve got to have your medical record, basically, presented along with your photo ID. It just adds to the gauntlet,” he said.

Jackson said just this past weekend, he had to kick out a patron after looking at their ID. After asking for the vaccine passport, the individual didn’t have the correct name matching, so they were kicked out.

“You darn kids,” Jackson said.

“I quite like (the current protocols). Not only are you protected from the underage aspect, according to SLGA laws, (but) it also feels good to know that everyone in this building is vaccinated … Everybody is going to be OK.”

When it comes to pubs and bars that don’t have a dance floor or flashing lights and a Patron Scan-like door system, the vaccine passports are also a tool.

“It’s going to be pretty tough to come into any place with (a) fake ID. You’re covered, in certain ways. Covering your butt is a good term, but nothing is foolproof,” said Arno Oldach, co-owner of the Yard and Flagon.

Oldach’s Yard and Flagon is more of an intimate setting, with table service and a rooftop patio.

(The Yard & Flagon/Facebook)

He said the only issue he has seen with the vaccine passports to date is the fact that Saskatchewan’s ID Checker application only covers Saskatchewan QR codes, not those from other provinces.

It adds another layer of issues, based on the fact some fake IDs are in the form of identification from another province.

To date, however, Oldach said his workers haven’t had any of those issues, resorting to looking at other provinces’ QR code systems.

“Is it 100 per cent? Possibly not, but that’s all we can go on. We feel quite comfortable that these people coming in are vaxxed,” he said.

Oldach said when the current health restrictions end in the future, he would like to see the vaccine passports leave as well.

Staffing has become an issue in the industry, with many bars having to fill the position of having to check the identifications.

“Getting staff has just been terrible … Everybody’s having a tough time,” Oldach explained.

“It’s going to be difficult. Do we want to be asking for vaccine passports? No. We have to. The sooner we can get all this over with, the better … We’re just hoping when the time comes, that we don’t have to ask for it — COVID’s going to be in the rearview mirror.”

But what about nightclubs?

Jackson said he likes the peace of mind that comes with vaccine passports, and wouldn’t mind an extended stay.

“Even though it does kind of seem sometimes Orwellian. But I like that it’s (just) an extra set of security,” he explained.

“I love it. It’s harder to sneak in underage and it provides that sense of relief.”

Jackson didn’t officially close the door on those with fake IDs being kept out. Human error still plays a factor — especially when it comes to those with IDs from older siblings.

“You do the best you can,” he said.

650 CKOM attempted to speak with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority but didn’t receive a response by the time of publishing.