I want to start off by saying I've been a loyal customer and patron of Max's Tavern since the night I turned 21 last year. I have always loved coming here, always recommend it and never have had an issue. That is, until about two weeks ago.
I recently got a new ID (Colorado) on account of my old drivers' license becoming expired. I have used my new, government issued ID at other bars and establishments with no issues whatsoever.
My friend and I walked in on a slow weekday afternoon and were greeted by a bartender at the bar. We gave her our IDs (my Colorado and my friend's passport) which were then quickly verified via light and machine. We went outside to the back of the establishment to grab a table and start ordering some drinks.
This is when we were approached by an older woman. She very sternly requested that she examine both of our IDs a second time, despite having already been seated at a table. I gave her mine and she held it for at least a minute, touching it and looking at it very intensely. Then, she said, "Yeah. I'm having a real hard time believing this one."
Shocked, I insisted that the ID was real. I also presented her with a second form of ID, my military ID. She was still very skeptical and finally, begrudgingly, took my friend and I's order.
We were there for an hour and a half and only once did a waitress come to our table to provide us service. Seated next to us was a large group of rowdy boys who were seemingly getting nonstop service. I was finally able to flag down a bartender to place a food order, to which she snappily responded that I needed to follow her inside despite taking orders at the table right in front of me.
Trying to be cooperative, I followed her inside and she proceeded to leave me at the bar to take orders of everyone else who was sitting there. After a solid five minutes of trying to get served, I finally flagged down another bartender who was extremely rude and was upset when I did not know my table number (despite not working there and not having table numbers posted outside). My friend and I left quickly after eating our cold pretzel, feeling disappointed and alienated by a previous favorite spot on campus. As two women of color, we were even curious if this had anything to do with implicit bias.
After looking at the other reviews on here, it seems that the staff needs proper training on how to properly identify out of state identification. I've also heard stories of over 21-year-old students getting their REAL IDs bent or taken from this establishment. Eugene is a college town; people come from all over and non-Oregon IDs should not be discriminated against simply because of staff's lack of knowledge and effort to verify. I understand that you have a job to do, but it's quite frustrating.
I would like to mention that on the day I was there and received scrutiny on my REAL ID, I saw an acquaintance from high school who is actually underaged. I severely doubt they were asked to show alternate form of ID, and the entire experience was very upsetting. Go to Rennie's if you want better drinks and less hassle. read more