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The other night a couple friends invited me out to a concert that was being held in an alley just off the Square in San Marcos. I ended up parking 4 blocks away because I showed up late and didn't feel like hunting for a spot. Once I reached the alley however, I found out that they had it marked off with rope, were checking IDs, and marking X's on the hands of those under 21. There was no admission fee.

Now they weren't selling any alcoholic beverages as far as I could see, but there were some people holding open beers in the alley in full view of several police officers.

The alley's between a bar and a bike shop, and the concert was hosted by the bike shop. It might even be a 1-way street, not sure. Every bar I've ever been to on the Square won't let you walk out with a beer.

Oh, and of course, I was carrying. No, I wasn't drinking.

So my first thought was to ask the police officers on the legality of entering the roped off alley, but then I decided that since it was outside, and I was really well concealed (sweat shirt), I'd rather just not bring it up.

It was pretty uneventful, nothing happened, and I went home and went to bed. Just curious what you would have done, and your thoughts on how I handled it.

Hypothetically speaking, as I would not be attending a concert in an alley, I would not have worried about carrying there.

Most likely the organizers of the concert had a special-use permit that allowed bar patrons to carry their drinks off the premises, which normally would be illegal.

I'm guessing that the cops were checking IDs to prevent a group of under-21s having an older friend buy drinks for them.

Similar situations occur regularly in Galveston during events such as Mardi Gras. Bars and vendor booths can sell beer for consumption on the street, which would otherwise get you a citation that costs something like $150.

BTW, this is a bit off-topic, but don't drink alcoholic beverages openly on the beach in the City of Galveston. The cops look for it issue citations.

- Jim