Membership required at K of C bar

Starting this fall, students age 21 and over will no longer be able to purchase alcoholic beverages at the Christopher Club within the Knights of Columbus without filling out an application for honorary membership and paying a $20 fee.

Last May, the club received a verbal warning from the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) because it was not keeping a logbook showing how many times members and guests had visited the club. The club was not fined or suspended.

The Christopher Club, 302 E. Boone Ave., has been privately owned separate from Gonzaga since the 1950s.

The Knights of Columbus describe themselves as an independent, non-canonical organization that is completely supportive of the church.

Previously, any student age 21 and over was allowed to enter the club and purchase alcoholic beverages.

Anne Radford, a WSLCB representative, discussed the warning is sued to the club.

"Christopher Club #683 has a Private Club liquor license that allows them to serve spirits, beer and wine by the individual serving to club members and the guests of club members for on-premises consumption. The club can't be open to the public," Radford said.

During a random premises check on May 11, a WSLCB officer gave the club a verbal warning regarding WAC 314-16-160 Records, Radford said.

In addition to those requirements, rules state that clubs shall maintain a complete system of bookkeeping covering all operations of the club, with the operations thereof pertaining to liquor kept separate in a manner prescribed by the board. All such records shall be maintained in an office on the licensed premises and be available for inspection and audit by agents of the board, which agents shall be entitled to make copies thereof or abstracts therefore or, upon furnishing a proper receipt therefore, remove the originals for such purposes as the board deems necessary.

"During the course of their workday, officers often conduct premises checks to answer any questions and provide assistance. If they see a problem, a liquor or tobacco law or regulation not being followed, they may issue a verbal or written warning," Radford said.

According to the WSLCB, warnings do not result in a fine or liquor license suspension. The licensee receives direction on how to prevent the problem in the future.

If a licensee receives multiple violations of certain types, such as selling liquor to a minor, within a two-year window, it is possible that their license could be canceled.

The Christopher Club has not received any verbal or written warnings from the WSLCB since May. It has not received any violations, which come with a fine or liquor license suspension, since 1995.

Lori Emery, manager of the Christopher Club, discussed some of the changes that will be taking place this school year at the club.

To comply with the club's liquor license, Emery said that students would have to fill out an application and pay $20 to become an honorary guest of the Christopher Club to gain entrance to the club.

Students would fill out an application and keep the yellow carbon copy as a temporary permit until all the membership cards are made and distributed at an inaugural party.

According to Emery there have already been nearly 30 applicants.