Stealthing Near Bars/Breweries

[snarfersnarf]

Does anyone have input or stories doing this? I am currently in the parking lot of a local water hole I drink at from time to time. I know not everyone is into the night life and that is fine and respectful, but I enjoy a few beers or some wine before bed. I also love meeting people and bars are great for that. Also, I am parked close enough to the bar to use their wifi they gave me the password to when I was in there earlier to have some food and a beer. It is so common for people to leave their cars overnight near a bar because they were too drunk and called a cab, hopefully. There are certain risks involved parking in areas like that, but it seems to be a great place to park as far as I am concerned. Go to the bar, have a drink or a few, and then not have to drive anywhere. Home sweet home is parked nearby. I plan on using bar and brewery parking lots as places to spend the night and would love to hear good and bad experiences doing that from all you tried and true van people.  :heart:

 

[TMG51]

I've parked at bars plenty of times. Only downside is it may be a loud area for sleeping. Fortunately, if you can't sleep, the solution is close at hand; drink more.

 

[John61CT]

Get friendly with the owner, offer to perform overnight security services (and maybe some others) in exchange for an official letter you can show the cops.

His private property, they don't care about zoning violations.

 

[Weight]

You could wake to someone vomiting over the side of your van. Don't ask about my experiences.

 

[bullfrog]

Yes sir officer I was invited over to one of these houses for a drink and had one to many couldn't find my keys and decided I just better sleep it off. I'll try and sober up and be out of here as soon as I call a locksmith first thing in the morning. Thanks for checking on me.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

20 yrs ago or so, good idea. Today, with the no drinking laws, severity, I am not so sure.
On Quora, there has been mention of situations where people were asleep in their cars, arrested, jailed, vehicle impounded, seizure laws, fined, etc... for drunk driving. Apparently the law in some states goes so far as to infer control or some such legalese. Add into the fact that police depts. are monetizing revenue streams from infractions, not good. 
Do you want to jeopardize your home, life, possessions? For those who do, research this to find out realities. FYI.
Not my issue, rarely drink. Just trying to share info and give a heads up to how far the law has gone in this area.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Here's a link. There are many more.
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-you-get-a-DUI-if-you-sleep-in-the-backseat-of-your-car-drunk

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Yes sir officer I was invited over to one of these houses for a drink and had one to many couldn't find my keys and decided I just better sleep it off.  I'll try and sober up and be out of here as soon as I call a locksmith first thing in the morning.  Thanks for checking on me.

Here's the thing with that. In the good old days, they would say that's fine and go on their merry way. It can still work with decent officers. But many LEO today only see and are trained about stats. You're a situation, not a person to them.

Today, they are looking for convictions to validate and justify their effectiveness. Drunk, probable cause to search. Cars are usually locked, how did you get in if no keys? You lie about that, what else are you lying about? Cause to search the vehicle. Find any alcohol in the vehicle, impound. Find money, seize. Look up asset forfeiture laws here and in your state. The legal implications and time and costs will seriously hurt.
Those who live in their vehicles, what happens if it is towed away, seized, impounded with days, weeks or months to get back plus fines and fees? 
Think twice before you just shoot out an excuse or quick story. 
Didn't happen to me, just read allot....
Just spreading awareness.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Years ago, I bar-hopped a few times in my old Class A motorhome. Of course I was careful.

But yeah, been there, done that.

I would not stay in the bar's lot tho, too many things can happen, and none of them will be good.

In many jurisdictions now, if you have the keys and are in 'control' of the vehicle, you can be charged with DUI/DWI even if the vehicle is not running and you have not even been at the driver's position for hours. The law can 'assume' you posed a risk of driving while impaired.

Even if the charge is later dismissed, you are STILL gonna have big problems that night and the next few days.