The Midtown Sacramento bar, B-Side, aspires to be above the law.
“Having a law that does allow people being able to test their drinks, I’m 100% OK with that,” Gwen Pelletier said. Just one day before the new legislation takes effect, on Sunday afternoon, she was on her way to B-Side.
Assembly Bill 1013 was unanimously approved by the state assembly and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last year.
Bars that offer only drinks and no food are required to have drug testing kits on hand as well as to display signs indicating that drink testing kits are available.
Bartender Christian Shroyer stated, “Now that we have an official way to check, that’s just another step to help protect people.”
After seven years in the industry, Shroyer remarked that it is his responsibility to ensure the safety of his patrons.
“It’s a thing that still happens and it’s a shame that still happens,” he stated. “There’s people out there that do it.”
According to PG&E, power outages are anticipated in several counties on Tuesday. The measure would provide customers with more protection.
“It does give an added level of protection as women are always concerned about things like that,” Anusha Kaship remarked. “You just don’t know when you will be one of the victims.”
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“We are getting a tool to check and gives us the ability to know that has happened and we can look back on our cameras and look around and see the situation and look at your drink specifically,” Shroyer added.
Don’t rely solely on the drug test kits, he said. According to Shroyer, bartenders will always look out for you if you don’t have a reliable pal. Always keep an eye on your drink.
“The best thing to do is give me your drink and let me know you’re stepping outside and I will put it somewhere safe and not have it sitting around unattended, never have an unattended drink around,” he stated.
The regulation will affect around 2,400 establishments throughout the state, according to the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.
