With over 190 bars in Omaha, the atmospheres attract hundreds of people every week, with college students making for a high demographic of visitors.
For students under the legal drinking age of 21, fake IDs are in popular demand to get in on the fun.
Metro area students go through the process of requiring fake identification online. The more people that buy in, the cheaper it gets.
“A bunch of my friends, we went in as a group,” said a UNO student. “We had to send in a signature, a picture with a decent camera, birthday, actually, so we could use our own birthday, and our eye color– all those things– physical appearance.”
“We got two. Two each for 65,” said a Creighton student. “Then it was like, if you’re just one, it’s like 100. Then you have to get the cash. We wired it through Western Union”
Sullivan’s bar in Blackstone is becoming one of the Metro’s most popular bars for college students, but employees are well-trained in spotting the fake, plastic passes.
“If there’s any question whatsoever, we do reserve the right to refuse service to anyone,” said Edward Ulpis, day manager at Sullivan’s Bar. “So it’s not like any given day, you’re supposed to card a little harder than usual. No. Everybody all the time.”
Bouncers look for details like holograms, microprint and even raised print.
“If an ID doesn’t have a hologram, that’s a red flag right away,” said Mario Moreno, a bouncer at Sullivan’s Bar. “When you get an ID and [shift it in the light], and [the hologram] doesn’t shine, then it’s totally a fake one.”
When employees in the Blackstone District find a fake ID, it’s broadcast in the area, so individuals don’t have the opportunity to be repeat offenders.
“We have a site, Blackstone Insider, that if I found a fake [ID], I’ll usually take a picture, post it on our site, and every single employee in Blackstone, they’ll look at the ID so they know what to look for,” Moreno said. “If that person goes to their bar, they will know right away.”
Ulpis said he stands by his principle to check IDs and turn away minors.
“I’m in charge here, and they can’t tell me what to do with my business,” Ulpis said.
