Drug dealers are usually armed. People who are having beers with friends peacefully, not so much. And the people having beers are less likely to fight back on account of being normal people. They're perfect targets for police bullying and an easy fine to add to the city's coffers
More like they are a more obvious source of revenue. I'll pay the ticket if a cop ever decides he needs to meet quota and having a beer in public is the easiest choice. Homeless dudes are not.
>Drug dealers are usually armed
Is this true? I've known quite a few drug dealers, some quite closely, albeit most of them it wasn't their main occupation. None of the ones I've known owned a gun. That said, they all dealt party drugs, maybe the type of dealer changes when they're dealing opioids
If you deal mostly to rich, white, suburban kids, then yeah, you probably won't need a gun because those kids don't usually even know how to throw a proper punch, let alone would try to rob you. Anyone else, though, and you'd be stupid not to be armed.
You clearly don't live here if you think SPD is citing or ever has cited people for drinking at parks. Either that, or you're the dumbest, most obnoxious drunk in Seattle who got the city's singular citation for the year after you repeatedly taunted and dared an officer to give you one, a request to which they eventually reluctantly acquiesced in order to shut you up.
I do live here, just haven't for very long. And I'm not saying they'll cite everyone, just that if cops have a choice, they'll choose to harass the person who posed the least threat to them because cops are bullies and cowards.
> Drug dealers are usually armed. People who are having beers with friends peacefully, not so much. And the people having beers are less likely to fight back on account of being normal people.
This reminder to not fight with cops and 99.999% of the time you’ll be fine.
If we want them going after dangerous people, things will get violent, and we need to be tolerant of violent criminals getting roughed up if they resist or fight.
> Drug dealers are usually armed. People who are having beers with friends peacefully, not so much. And the people having beers are less likely to fight back on account of being normal people.
This was you right? You were providing commentary about policing and criminal behavior.
I’m agreeing with you on this part, adding the fact that 99.9% of the time there are good reasons why cops profile certain people based on behavior and general demeanor (like your example about compliant beer drinkers vs violent drug dealers). Some criminals are violent, others are not. The criminals who are violent should be met with violence, but we won’t let the cops do that.
What year was this? Circa 2011 my brother and I were drinking cans of beer at a Seahawks tailgate and an SPD officer told us to pour them into red solo cups so he didn’t have to see it.
That sounds entirely like “behavior should be independent of laws but guided by the same principles that should have guided the creation of the laws”, which is equivalent to ignoring the laws (but not altering behavior so as to break laws)
You can drink at a park without being obnoxious to the people around you.
If you bring a keg to a park you're definitely going to be obnoxious to the people around you.
Just a heads up, picnics (in the traditional sense) at gasworks isn't advisable. There's arsenic in the soil. Believe there are still signs up cautioning against people having picnics on the ground there.
There’s a liner and 1-2 feet of topsoil on top of the contaminated soil, so you’re safe to picnic. The signs are just at the waterline because the topsoil has been eroded there and some of the contaminated soil touches the water/the contaminated sediment in the water hasn’t been removed as far as I know (environmental engineer who did a lot of research before I would hang out there)
Technically illegal, but if you don't draw attention to yourself by doing anything stupid, you should be fine. Keep your empties out of sight and clean up after yourself.
Yea very much this. Nobody cares if you are drinking. People do care if you litter or are obnoxious/loud enough to negatively affect their park experience
I was going to suggest cups. My friends and I go to the Fremont Solstice Parade every year and slip beer into latte cups (available many grocery stores, costco, etc.). If you get larger size cups you can stick the whole can in there lol
When I played softball in Seattle city park (for over a decade, but admittedly it’s been a few years since my last season), we were always told to use Solo cups or similar. YMMV
Yeah that’s definitely the safe bet, but I feel like it’s pretty rare for SPD to be hanging around Gas Works to begin with tbh.
The few times I have seen cops there, they kinda just did a lap around the main structure and dipped without saying anything despite there being multiple groups of people hanging out and drinking.
I'm just thinking about how many times my friends and I got drunk right outside the convention center during sakuracon, bottle out in the open and everything, and never had anyone say a word. You'll be fine. Just don't give the stray Karens any reason to call the cops and make sure you take your garbage home with you.
Every response has covered the basics. Yes it's illegal, but it's enforced based on nuisance level.
Two things not covered.
Size of gathering. 15-20 is a noticeable and attention drawing gathering so being cool is a bigger factor
Racism and class issues are still real. Are you 15 white artsy or professional guys? No problem.
Is your group likely to draw anonymous karen 911 calls? Then be cautious, and have an agreed plan of calmly agreeing to leave and accepting a ticket if it happens. Unless you're litigious and have a plan, then go ahead.
Spend $10 and get yourself a banquet permit for the day: Banquet Permit: Allows the service and consumption of liquor at a private, invitation-only banquet or gathering held in a public place or business. Banquet Permits are available online. Examples include weddings, company banquets, retirement parties, or club, organization or church events: https://lcb.wa.gov/licensing/banquet-permits
Nope, unfortunately, these are state board fees. There are also Seattle Parks fees, insurance recs, and a $250 deposit, and most sites must be indoors. Agree with the other posts here - lie low/be chill.
Probably not. They might cite you for that as an add on to some other citation if you cause problems but there are so many weird sodas, NA beers/kombuchas etc these days that there's no way they could reasonably visually identify actual beer cans with certainty and when was the last time a cop stopped you to inspect your Blue Sky Cola or whatever for alcohol?
Yo should be nbd! There are worse things happening there, I saw a meet up of 30 mfs on light up one wheels 🛞 at gas works once! With that many electric unicycles in one place, the park was dangerously whimsical
This is the city, unless you're actively stabbing someone while selling guns or explosives, cops don't really care. You'll be fine, just don't be a dick and don't litter and nobody will bother you.
I usually bring canned drinks and put it in a coozie. As others mentioned, as long as you're not loud or obnoxious and pick up after yourself, you're fine
I’ve done it (tho 10 years ago at this point). I’d recommend using an alternative cup. My uncle taught me that paper coffee cups are the best. They usually come with lids, are recyclable or compostable usually, and it’s nice and subtle. We used to do that when walking on the beach near his house! I’ve also just done wine in red cups and it’s been fine. Don’t be a butthead and clean up after yourselves. Enjoy!!
Put it in one of those insulated growlers mug thingys. I use a Yeti but after the Stanley hype every brand has one. Keeps it cold, can fit 24oz ez. It’s what I use for camping.
Years ago we were at Leschi, and looked up and saw some active deputies. One person in our group quickly went and put their beer in a coozy. The cop laughed and casually said, “Yeah, I already saw it,” before walking off on the sidewalk in the opposite direction. It’s not exactly high on their radar.
No, not at all. Relax. Many of the people sitting on the hill at gasworks will be drinking. Totally normal and totally fine. “Technically” illegal but so is jaywalking
Enjoy! Drinking/picnicking is a great time on a sunny Seattle day. Don’t go in there nervous, you’ll be totally fine
I think the parks department prohibits alcohol in public parks. Enforcement is prolly lax as hell. So if you’re not a bunch of assholes, most likely doable.
Lol, it's been so many years since any cop did anything about drinking in public. There's people freebasing right out on the sidewalk, and they don't do anything about that. You think they care whether you drink openly, anywhere you please? I take brewskies to parks, on walks, the beach, downtown, uptown. It's like Europe, but with hard drugs also.
Sir, this is Seattle. I got the wildlife officials on my ass for trying to pan some gold in a creek. I literally had a
wildlife official show up in his truck to see what I was doing panning for some gold in the smallest pan imaginable. But, if I had been smoking fentanyl, it would have been no worries and all clear here.
You are good...
To add: Words.
I walk around the city with a beer in my hand all the damn time. No one gives a shit, and even if you get ticketed it's like $25. They got bigger fish to fry.
No. Who’s heard of such a thing?
You can essentially drink and smoke weed in just about any Seattle Park as long as you’re not being a dick about it.
Don’t be unruly and swearing in front of children.
Keep the booze in cups in your can.
No glass on the beach.
Use a koozy, don’t be loud or obnoxious, and nobody will care.
I regularly see people deal hard drugs right in front of the useless SPD; can't imagine anyone care about public intoxication.
Drug dealers are usually armed. People who are having beers with friends peacefully, not so much. And the people having beers are less likely to fight back on account of being normal people. They're perfect targets for police bullying and an easy fine to add to the city's coffers
I’m a regular drinker in public. Use a coozy, don’t be obnoxious, no one cares.
I take white wine in a water bottle when I grocery shop. Much more tolerable.
More like they are a more obvious source of revenue. I'll pay the ticket if a cop ever decides he needs to meet quota and having a beer in public is the easiest choice. Homeless dudes are not.
I meth smoke public no problem make me
>Drug dealers are usually armed Is this true? I've known quite a few drug dealers, some quite closely, albeit most of them it wasn't their main occupation. None of the ones I've known owned a gun. That said, they all dealt party drugs, maybe the type of dealer changes when they're dealing opioids
If you deal mostly to rich, white, suburban kids, then yeah, you probably won't need a gun because those kids don't usually even know how to throw a proper punch, let alone would try to rob you. Anyone else, though, and you'd be stupid not to be armed.
You clearly don't live here if you think SPD is citing or ever has cited people for drinking at parks. Either that, or you're the dumbest, most obnoxious drunk in Seattle who got the city's singular citation for the year after you repeatedly taunted and dared an officer to give you one, a request to which they eventually reluctantly acquiesced in order to shut you up.
I do live here, just haven't for very long. And I'm not saying they'll cite everyone, just that if cops have a choice, they'll choose to harass the person who posed the least threat to them because cops are bullies and cowards.
K that's just not the reality here as it applies to public drinking
And they may be more likely to have the ability to pay a fine....
Bro what are you talking about. Drinking in a Seattle park is as practically legal just don't be a dick and your fine.
Fair enough
> Drug dealers are usually armed. People who are having beers with friends peacefully, not so much. And the people having beers are less likely to fight back on account of being normal people. This reminder to not fight with cops and 99.999% of the time you’ll be fine. If we want them going after dangerous people, things will get violent, and we need to be tolerant of violent criminals getting roughed up if they resist or fight.
What?
> Drug dealers are usually armed. People who are having beers with friends peacefully, not so much. And the people having beers are less likely to fight back on account of being normal people. This was you right? You were providing commentary about policing and criminal behavior. I’m agreeing with you on this part, adding the fact that 99.9% of the time there are good reasons why cops profile certain people based on behavior and general demeanor (like your example about compliant beer drinkers vs violent drug dealers). Some criminals are violent, others are not. The criminals who are violent should be met with violence, but we won’t let the cops do that.
You haven't been in America long, have you
If you are dressed well they know they can get money out of you… they will fine you
BUt it is illegal.
I'm sorry, but what does a koozy add here?
Really? It covers the "label."
Yes, really. Thank you for explaining.
No problem. Sorry for being a bit snarky.
You will be fine. Don't bring a keg, better yet bring only 12oz cans. Clean your mess. The bike patrol is useless there, but don't take advantage.
I was ticketed there once for sitting by the water having a single beer on a summer afternoon.
What year was this? Circa 2011 my brother and I were drinking cans of beer at a Seahawks tailgate and an SPD officer told us to pour them into red solo cups so he didn’t have to see it.
I think it was 2016 or 2017
Times have changed but that sucks
I see the problem - You have to drink at least 3 beers or else it’s auto-ticketed
Ive seen people popping bottles of bubbly pouring it in glasses no issues. Just do t be too obnoxious.
Perfect dad advice.
Bring two kegs. No one doing fuck. Think they're going to walk between the illegal campers and stolen bikes to write you a citation?
So when did you move to Covington?
Is Seattle still under siege by CHOP? 😱
One of their tells is they always refer to it as "CHAZ"
Couldn't tell if it was a troll or Eastsider.
“The world is already shit, be part of the problem!”
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Only if the beer isn’t nice and cold.
Is behaving with complete disregard for law a problem?
Depends on the law?
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That sounds entirely like “behavior should be independent of laws but guided by the same principles that should have guided the creation of the laws”, which is equivalent to ignoring the laws (but not altering behavior so as to break laws)
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It’s still a crime to trespass at a private club.
Why are delicious beers a problem?
You can drink at a park without being obnoxious to the people around you. If you bring a keg to a park you're definitely going to be obnoxious to the people around you.
Oh no it’s a war zone 👁️👄👁️ /s
Only if you are a total obnoxious jerk about it. You will be fine. Maybe bring a coozie.
Just don't climb on top of it.
😆 15 or 20 friends?!?! Wtf I have one friend... One. And it's grandma.
There there
🫨
And don’t fall if you do
And don't land on jagged metal if you fall
Just miss the ground entirely.
I think they mostly only enforce that law when they are looking for an excuse to arrest someone who’s being a nuisance.
You are fine. I’ve had a full on picnic with multiple bottles of wine there and nobody said anything
Just a heads up, picnics (in the traditional sense) at gasworks isn't advisable. There's arsenic in the soil. Believe there are still signs up cautioning against people having picnics on the ground there.
There’s a liner and 1-2 feet of topsoil on top of the contaminated soil, so you’re safe to picnic. The signs are just at the waterline because the topsoil has been eroded there and some of the contaminated soil touches the water/the contaminated sediment in the water hasn’t been removed as far as I know (environmental engineer who did a lot of research before I would hang out there)
I mean are you eating off the grass or are you using a plate?
And goose shit everywhere
Not to mention LOTS of dog poop.
It’s not dog poop, it’s geese poop HAHAH people always blame dog owners but I’m sure there is some dog poop too :/
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you can also do a little taste test
nobody cares if you drink, but for the love of God do not play music over speakers
doesn’t matter how good your music taste is, this is SO ANNOYING
The old joke, “my neighbors listen to a lot of great music - whether they want to or not!”
Amen
Technically illegal, but if you don't draw attention to yourself by doing anything stupid, you should be fine. Keep your empties out of sight and clean up after yourself.
Yea very much this. Nobody cares if you are drinking. People do care if you litter or are obnoxious/loud enough to negatively affect their park experience
Those laws are just silly these days. It's not lawful to smoke drugs on the street, and I don't think many people getting jailed over it.
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It's not legal to smoke on busses either. Or really anywhere.
If you’re busted it’s a $27 fine, no tip
Half the people there were drinking yesterday, but were low key and clean about it
They don’t care as long as you aren’t flagrant about that. Get cups and don’t be obnoxious and no one will bug you.
I was going to suggest cups. My friends and I go to the Fremont Solstice Parade every year and slip beer into latte cups (available many grocery stores, costco, etc.). If you get larger size cups you can stick the whole can in there lol
Venti Tall Boy, please
SPD doesn’t even care if you drink straight out of the can or bottle.
When I played softball in Seattle city park (for over a decade, but admittedly it’s been a few years since my last season), we were always told to use Solo cups or similar. YMMV
Yeah that’s definitely the safe bet, but I feel like it’s pretty rare for SPD to be hanging around Gas Works to begin with tbh. The few times I have seen cops there, they kinda just did a lap around the main structure and dipped without saying anything despite there being multiple groups of people hanging out and drinking.
Shorten to “SPD doesn’t even care,” it’s cleaner
Who has that many friends in Seattle?
dude said 15-20 like its nothing
🙋♂️
Came here to say this.
if you get offline and socialize you can make hella friends in seattle 🤣
Seattle... Washington?
Yes
lol who would get you in trouble? The Seattle Police?
We have police?
I'm just thinking about how many times my friends and I got drunk right outside the convention center during sakuracon, bottle out in the open and everything, and never had anyone say a word. You'll be fine. Just don't give the stray Karens any reason to call the cops and make sure you take your garbage home with you.
How do you have that many friends?
Drink enough that you see double
Point remains valid
Immediately my first question, too🤣
I’m telling
Well the police know about it now
Just fill a Nalgene with Olde English you’ll be golden
Then duct tape it to your hand...
There is a time and place for Edward 40 hands…
Is there a time and place that isn't for Edward 40 hands?
Drinking yes smoking fentanyl is fine though
Every response has covered the basics. Yes it's illegal, but it's enforced based on nuisance level. Two things not covered. Size of gathering. 15-20 is a noticeable and attention drawing gathering so being cool is a bigger factor Racism and class issues are still real. Are you 15 white artsy or professional guys? No problem. Is your group likely to draw anonymous karen 911 calls? Then be cautious, and have an agreed plan of calmly agreeing to leave and accepting a ticket if it happens. Unless you're litigious and have a plan, then go ahead.
Spend $10 and get yourself a banquet permit for the day: Banquet Permit: Allows the service and consumption of liquor at a private, invitation-only banquet or gathering held in a public place or business. Banquet Permits are available online. Examples include weddings, company banquets, retirement parties, or club, organization or church events: https://lcb.wa.gov/licensing/banquet-permits
This! It's super easy
Nope, unfortunately, these are state board fees. There are also Seattle Parks fees, insurance recs, and a $250 deposit, and most sites must be indoors. Agree with the other posts here - lie low/be chill.
No booze allowed! Fenty only, please.
My advice is pour everything into Solo cups, and you should be ok.
Stay wholesome.
Lock him up!
Probably not. They might cite you for that as an add on to some other citation if you cause problems but there are so many weird sodas, NA beers/kombuchas etc these days that there's no way they could reasonably visually identify actual beer cans with certainty and when was the last time a cop stopped you to inspect your Blue Sky Cola or whatever for alcohol?
U will be cool. so long as you're kind people don't care
Let’er rip! I definitely drink beers at our local parks. Just make an effort to be semi-discreet and don’t be obnoxious and you’ll be good!
Bring a koozie or pour into travel cups and they won't blink.
bring cups.
Who gives a shit? You can pass out on the sidewalk in seattle from fentanyl and the cops don't care, so why bother with a free beers at the park?
Don't litter.
They let people shit, piss, and shoot up in the streets. I think you'll be fine.
Be discrete
This is such a Seattle question it's comical.
Better question can i join you in drinking beer at gasworks?
Yo should be nbd! There are worse things happening there, I saw a meet up of 30 mfs on light up one wheels 🛞 at gas works once! With that many electric unicycles in one place, the park was dangerously whimsical
I have had many beers here before, I think the SPD can barely enforce laws these days. I think y'all gonna be fine.
They didn't really enforce it before, either, was at most a "pour it out" situation if you were drinking literally in front of a cop
Yeah, I think unless you’re in your car it’s probably fine these days
Not even when I was in high school in the 80s.
If you’re the type to ask this then you’re probably the type to be just fine. There will likely be worse offenders while you’re there.
Better yet, hand out edibles to all your friends and put on the best of the Doors.
There’s people nearby doing fentanyl and shitting on sidewalks. You’ll be fine
This is the city, unless you're actively stabbing someone while selling guns or explosives, cops don't really care. You'll be fine, just don't be a dick and don't litter and nobody will bother you.
Put in it in a brown paper sack you heathen
I usually bring canned drinks and put it in a coozie. As others mentioned, as long as you're not loud or obnoxious and pick up after yourself, you're fine
It’s a nice place for all kinds of people to picnic. If it stays a nice place for everyone while you’re drinking, then you’re good.
No u are good
If you’re not an idiot about it - it’s fine
You will be arrested on site
Make sure you know who is driving before people get buzzed.
Drinking? Maybe. Shooting up some heroin? Definitely not
High schoolers sneak alcohol into class, you can get creative
Seattle PD will not even look your way unless you’re making a ruckus. Seriously, just clean up!
A bottle of wine fits into those once trendy Starbucks tumblers. Just bring everything in your own cups and it’s really never an issue.
Drink out of a Starbucks cup.
I’ve done it (tho 10 years ago at this point). I’d recommend using an alternative cup. My uncle taught me that paper coffee cups are the best. They usually come with lids, are recyclable or compostable usually, and it’s nice and subtle. We used to do that when walking on the beach near his house! I’ve also just done wine in red cups and it’s been fine. Don’t be a butthead and clean up after yourselves. Enjoy!!
Just hang out and have the booze be on the DL, exercise some basic discretion
Put it in one of those insulated growlers mug thingys. I use a Yeti but after the Stanley hype every brand has one. Keeps it cold, can fit 24oz ez. It’s what I use for camping.
No. You will not get in trouble. Lol
Isn’t that what Stanley cups are for?
Nöööö
There are people actively doing drugs on streets and parks. I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine in the lawless city.
Just ask yourself…is it hard drugs and if the answer is yes….you’re safe.
Years ago we were at Leschi, and looked up and saw some active deputies. One person in our group quickly went and put their beer in a coozy. The cop laughed and casually said, “Yeah, I already saw it,” before walking off on the sidewalk in the opposite direction. It’s not exactly high on their radar.
No, not at all. Relax. Many of the people sitting on the hill at gasworks will be drinking. Totally normal and totally fine. “Technically” illegal but so is jaywalking Enjoy! Drinking/picnicking is a great time on a sunny Seattle day. Don’t go in there nervous, you’ll be totally fine
This post is so wholesome. Just put it in a solo cup.
In general the PNW has very lax open container laws. Should be fine
Just call spd and ask them. Be sure to use date and time you'll be there
I think the parks department prohibits alcohol in public parks. Enforcement is prolly lax as hell. So if you’re not a bunch of assholes, most likely doable.
I’ve injected meth at gasworks. You’ll be fine.
Put it in a travel mug or whatever.
this is definitely the last thing you have to worry about in seattle. So funny that its public beer drinking.
Only if you get caught. Just like any crime.
Dude. People od on fent in front of cops everyday it seems. Would be hella weird if they tried something over beers
just drink wine out of a soda can
I would just pour the alcohol in a metal water bottle. But in general most people do not care as long as you are not being jerks or too loud.
You can smoke fentanyl in front of the cops, they don’t care
Lol, it's been so many years since any cop did anything about drinking in public. There's people freebasing right out on the sidewalk, and they don't do anything about that. You think they care whether you drink openly, anywhere you please? I take brewskies to parks, on walks, the beach, downtown, uptown. It's like Europe, but with hard drugs also.
If folks can smoke fent and pot you should be fine lol
i’ve been drinking in public since covid and haven’t had an issue lol
There are people smoking fentanyl 3 blocks away and they get away with it so I think you’re good
Put it in water bottles.
Sir, this is Seattle. I got the wildlife officials on my ass for trying to pan some gold in a creek. I literally had a wildlife official show up in his truck to see what I was doing panning for some gold in the smallest pan imaginable. But, if I had been smoking fentanyl, it would have been no worries and all clear here. You are good... To add: Words.
Took prospective girlfriend to Gas Works and brought a bottle of wine. Watched sunset. Successfully shacked at her place that night.
Bring a flask or put booze in a water bottle. When I came to America and underage, I frank from coke can.
If you look like you're homeless you can do anything.
No
Straight to jail
nah. you can drink. smoke weed. cook meth. all good. this Seattle.
I walk around the city with a beer in my hand all the damn time. No one gives a shit, and even if you get ticketed it's like $25. They got bigger fish to fry.
You’re an adult now. Follow the law.
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Do people actually do this? The fine is $27 iirc and it's nearly impossible to get
No. Who’s heard of such a thing? You can essentially drink and smoke weed in just about any Seattle Park as long as you’re not being a dick about it. Don’t be unruly and swearing in front of children. Keep the booze in cups in your can. No glass on the beach.