Russia's Ban on Alcohol in Arenas Leaves Drinkers Flat

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 02/11/14 | Brian Costa

[Freelance Warrior]

Russia, whose most famous export may be vodka, is staging the driest Olympics in memory. For many fans, it is the biggest upset of the Winter Games. A new federal law last year prohibited the sale of alcohol inside sports stadiums and arenas. And a local ordinance last month banned alcohol sales within 50 meters of some sports venues.In the mountain Olympic venues, which are outdoors and not subject to restrictions, the alcohol flows freely. But at indoor ice venues along the Black Sea, drinking options are limited.

And alcoholic beer is sold at two Coca-Cola food stand areas and a larger food court. But with so much nonalcoholic beer on sale, the real thing is hard to find. "It's not advertised very well," said Canadian visitor Erin Gagne, 27. "We had no idea they sold beer at the Coke tent until we asked someone."

"Olympic values are not compatible with the consumption of alcohol," a government spokesman told a Russian newspaper at the time. The sentiment has surprised some foreign visitors, particularly at events where drinking is common in other countries. "Who wants to watch curling sober?" said Scott Simms, the 27-year-old brother of Morgan Simms. "No one. I'll tell you that right now."

[SeminoleCounty]

In before the Gays, Globalists, and Goons for George Soros start cheerleading this article...

When I was in Vancouver last Winter Oly...the cops there were shutting bars down early to keep drunks away (didn’t work). I even got stopped by some snotty Dot cop o the Sky Train back to my hotel w an unopened 12 pack...Vancouver got crazy police state near end of Winter Oly

Not selling beer in arenas is pretty tame

[Freelance Warrior]

Not selling beer in arenas is pretty tame

Well, they're selling. But... non-alcoholic sorts only.

[Oliviaforever]

Putin knows Russia better than anyone and knows how to run his country.

[cunning_fish]

>>Others said they wouldn’t mind a drink.

“It would help to have a little vodka here because people who don’t have tickets to the competitions get cold outside,” said Ildar Khairetdinov, a 40-year-old driver from Bashkortostan, who was sitting at an outdoor table in the park.<<

I find the most hilarious that a single person WaPo fond was missing a shot has came from a muslim country:)

[sushiman]

” I even got stopped by some snotty Dot cop o the Sky Train back to my hotel w an unopened 12 pack “

In Japan I can drink an opened can of beer , sake or whatever on any train I ride . I can walk down the street anywhere in Japan with an open can , no problemo .

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Same on the Chicago Metra.

[SeminoleCounty]

Vancouver got real anal towards end of Olympics. One of the restaurants I was eating at (Taco Tiempo..? Downtown) got raided...told to shut the beer fridge.

Supposedly drunks were urinating on people during Olympics..so the claim was

[Tainan]

On Taiwan it has one of the highest concentrations of 7-Eleven store in the world. They are close and just about everywhere.
It sometime seems that the national past-time is buying beers and setting either inside at the counters they have, or setting at their outdoor cafe' style tables and drinking beers.
Very very common to see.

[Aunt Polgara]

Oh, but the best thing I know to have come from Taiwan is the 85 degree C bakeries. We’ve got one a couple of miles from here, and it’s divine! We are going there for breakfast this Valentine’s day! Yum!

[Tainan]

That franchise has been very successful. Glad you enjoy it!