Imagine: It’s Friday night, and a group of friends is ready to head to your bar for the evening. Safety—or lack thereof—isn’t on their mind; they’re simply wanting to unwind from a busy week and have some fun. In other words, they expect to have a positive experience in your bar.
The thing is, creating this environment is up to you: the business owner.
A safe, enjoyable atmosphere goes beyond choosing great music and vibrant decor. It’s about developing protocols that ensure that every visitor is who they say they are through ID verification. This doesn’t only ensure a safer nightlife space for patrons, but also employees and the businesses themselves.
This is where Patronscan comes in—a leading ID verification technology that accurately scans IDs to detect fakes, prevent underage entry, and flag security risks. Our seamless system helps venues comply with regulations and cultivate a safer, more welcoming atmosphere for patrons.
In this blog, we’ll explore the hidden dangers bars face without ID verification, how this technology can help create more secure bars and nightclubs, and how Patronscan works.
On a busy night at a bar or nightclub, it’s easy for bar door security to miss a fake ID when relying solely on visual ID checks. Sure, staff can be briefed on how to spot fake IDs, but these almost-identical replicas are often missed. In such a fast-paced environment with a high volume of patrons, bar door security only has a couple of seconds to check each ID. Add dim lighting, loud noise, the pressure to keep lines moving, and the mental fatigue from hours on their feet and it’s no wonder why managing a safe, compliant, and responsible drinking environment is so difficult.
Plus, with a rise of underage drinking (close to 80% of young Canadians 15 years and older have reported drinking alcohol in the past year), bars and nightclubs have to be more conscientious than ever when it comes to their security protocols. Alcohol is also the most commonly used psychoactive substance among Canadians, and younger generations made up the largest proportion of the deaths related to alcohol recorded between 2020-2022.
In the United States, over 3.3 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported binge drinking in the last month, according to a 2023 study, and 12.6 million people in this age group had participated in underage drinking in their lifetime.
Underage drinking isn’t only dangerous for the minor patrons, who risk legal implications, but it also puts bars at risk—resulting in potentially hefty fines and even the suspension or loss of liquor licenses. Underage drinkers also alter a bar’s atmosphere, as they may create scenarios that escalate into safety incidents—affecting both customers and staff.
Further, bars that rely solely on visual ID checks lack a reliable way to flag a banned or high-risk person who may have caused issues at other venues, increasing the chance of fights, theft, or property damage. If alcohol-related incidents occur at the venue, a bar’s reputation can be harmed, which can negatively impact business in the long run.
All in all, ID verification is your venue’s first line of defense against:
If any of these hidden dangers of going without ID verification alarm you, there’s a solution. By adopting an ID verification technology like Patronscan, you can rest assured that your bases are covered—leading to three main benefits: a safer atmosphere, regulatory compliance, and a good reputation.
Let’s dive deeper into some of the benefits of implementing ID verification technology.
With the ability to promote safety, regulatory compliance, and a strong reputation, ID verification offers venues a simpler way to operate responsibly—ultimately leading to peace of mind.
Meet the technology that has been developed and refined over the past 15 years, scanning over 220 million IDs, flagging nearly 600,000 fakes, and existing in 203 cities across the world: Patronscan.
Our advanced system has the ability to detect fake IDs with near-zero false positives, reducing incidents by up to 97%. By analyzing over 8,500 data points to confirm the authenticity of IDs, which include more than 4,800 types of driver’s licences and passports, the technology helps to prevent underage drinking and enhance venue safety.
Venue owners that partner with Patronscan take comfort in knowing that the technology provides detailed security alerts when a person with a flagged history attempts entry, allowing your staff to maintain a secure atmosphere. Plus, it offers valuable insights into a venue’s business with daily, weekly and monthly reports on performance and demographics. This can help you spot trends, track promoter progress, build relationships with valuable patrons, and even boost revenue by tailoring marketing efforts to the right audience.
For bars and clubs looking to proactively reduce underage drinking, liability issues, and violence, Patronscan offers more than just technology—it’s a valuable resource. Over 1,000 venues are using Patronscan to promote safety, ensure compliance, and strengthen their reputation. Beyond ID verification, our team also offers consulting to help venue owners work with insurance companies to decrease costs, thanks to reduced risk and liability.
Ready to enhance your venue’s security and reputation? Explore how Patronscan’s advanced ID verification and expert guidance can transform your business. Request pricing and book a live demo to see the system in action!