# Can you sell beer in the stands at sporting events in California? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 25, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170 "2007-12-25T02:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170/1 "2007-12-25T02:07:48Z")
I’ve attended quite a few sporting events in California. I’ve never seen beer being sold by vendors in the stands. You have to go out to the concourse to buy it. Tonight, while watching the San Diego/Denver game, I thought I noticed vendors selling plastic beer bottles. Has this changed? Is this a law in California? ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170/2 "2007-12-25T02:53:43Z")
As long as I have walked on this planet (since 1965) there have not been roving beer vendors at sporting events in California. You always have to walk up and buy it. The theory is that they don’t want the beer passed down the aisle where a minor could start swigging it. In stadiums where there are nice seats with waiter service, they will bring the beer to you because they can put it in your hands. If the Chargers were selling beer in the stands with roving vendors, that would be a big change. I’ll poke around. The thought of a Chargers-Raiders with beer vendors walking around seems frightening. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170/3 "2007-12-25T06:01:50Z")
I can’t speak for football games, nut I have attended games at Petco Park in San Diego, and there were indeed vendors walking around selling beer. They sold everything from hot dogs to beer to cracker jacks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170/4 "2007-12-25T07:23:34Z")
I have seen it, but only in my youth. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170/5 "2007-12-25T08:24:04Z")
From my trip to PETCO Park, I did not see anyone selling beer in the stands. This is what the Padres website says about the matter: > [@](#): > > ALCOHOL > The San Diego Padres wish to ensure all guests have a memorable experience at PETCO Park. For those inclined to enjoy alcoholic beverages, we are pleased to make them available at concession locations throughout the ballpark. We encourage all guests who consume alcohol to do so in a responsible manner. > > With the purchase of any alcoholic beverage: > > • All guests purchasing an alcoholic beverage must present a valid ID (state issued Drivers License, state ID, Military ID, or Passport). > • Guests appearing under 30 years of age will be carded. > • Guests are limited to two alcoholic beverages per transaction. > • Sales of alcoholic beverages cease at the end of the 7th inning. > • The Padres and Sportservice reserve the right to alter these policies at any time. > • California liquor regulations prohibit guests from bringing alcoholic beverages into PETCO Park. Alcohol may not be taken from the ballpark at any point. > > The Padres and Sportservice reserve the right to refuse or discontinue service of alcoholic beverages at any time. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-beer-in-the-stands-at-sporting-events-in-california/431170/6 "2007-12-25T09:37:24Z")
From looking into articles about this further, the restrictions on selling beer in the stands at California stadiums is not a law, but rather a policy that all stadiums have adopted at the VERY strong urging of the California Highway Patrol. The CHP feels that it is easier to control sales of alcoholic beverages this way and it in turn would reduce drunk driving.