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Clear bags at arts venues

Flytigress

I attended a touring Broadway show in my town last night, and I was almost turned away because my clutch bag was too large. Most of the other women had gotten the memo that bags had to be small and clear, or extremely extremely small if not clear. The security worker took pity on me and told me to hide my clutch under my arm.

Guess it's a sign of the times.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW.

Is this a common prerequisite now?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I thought it was bad enough when sports venues started doing bag searches, but now concert venues and lots of other places are doing it too. I've never heard of this level of restriction. Ugh.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've run into this at sporting events, but there the guidelines are clearly communicated ahead of time. Maybe it was the venue, and not the show the venue was hosting, if that makes any sense?

Sara L.

Veteran

I went to a concert this summer where you had to have a clear bag (of specific dimensions but big enough to carry water bottles, etc) or a small "hand-sized" bag. Luckily, my friend mentioned it ahead of time so I was prepared. I don't have a clear tote but at least I had a small enough clutch to take.

Jane

Veteran

I haven’t come across this before for theatre / shows. Helpful to know.

Flytigress

This event took place at a university's performing arts center. I went to their website, and it turns out this policy was just put in place for all their events:

Performing Arts Clear Bag Policy

Effective Oct 22, 2018: For the safety of our patrons, security measures have been instituted at all Performing Arts venues. We strongly encourage guests to only bring essential items in order to provide a safer environment and expedite guest entry into the venues.

The following bags will be permitted into all Performing Arts venues:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVS and do not exceed 12” x 12” x 6”
One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag
Small clutch bags do not have to be clear but cannot exceed 6.5” x 4.5” x 2” with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the theatre along with one clear bag option

Prohibited bags include:

Purses
Diaper bags*
Cases (camera, binocular, etc.)
Backpacks
Fanny packs
Printed pattern plastic bags
Reusable grocery totes
Mesh or straw bags
Duffel bags
Large totes

*Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be put into a clear plastic bag for venue entry.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I knew about sports and large concerts, but this is weird being at university, where backpacks are beyond common.
Did they have a bag check?

Flytigress

Annagybe, nope, no bag check. We also had to walk through metal detectors, which was new. It felt like being at an airport.

Bonnie

Veteran

Everyone gets their bags checked at both the symphony and opera performances in my town. I was told that from now on I can't bring a full water bottle but empty bottles are OK. So far, I've been able to use my handbags but I suppose plastic bags will soon be required. "Sign of the times" is right but scary, too.

unfrumped

Veteran

One or more of our high schools went through a clear backpack phase.

How does this relate to “ the arts”? As opposed to lectures, town meetings, the movies? I understand the idea of security - tension, but not how decisions are made for various places and events.

Flytigress

I don't know the answer, unfrumped.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This makes me so sad! Years ago, my mom brought back see-through bags for my sister and me as souvenirs from somewhere. Mine was yellow. It was a goofy, funny thing to carry a transparent bag, and I got a lot of comments on it. The “meaning” of that bag would now be entirely different.

Sara L.

Veteran

Flytigress - That's pretty much exactly the policy at the concert venue I was at this summer except the small clutch was specified as "hand-sized".

Anonymous

I purchased the clear stadium bags from Amazon because it’s the only approved bags for concert venues in our area. Sign of the times

Joy

Veteran

CU required transparent bags at all graduation events. it was on their website so I quickly alerted a friend who was coming from out of state for her DSIL's PhD graduation. It did not sound like there was a bag check.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow. I've never heard of this. I think it would be hard to feel fashionable when carrying a one-gallon ziplok bag with your stuff...

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Wow, this is the first I’ve heard of this.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Options beyond ziplocks.... https://www.google.com/amp/s/t.....-bags/amp/

The tote might be fun, except for the reason to carry it.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Interesting. I’ve run into this when entering a few military bases, but didn’t realize it was common in arts venues.

jussie

Veteran

Very very sad.

rachylou

Veteran

Whoa! For musical theatre? That says a lot.

Flytigress

I asked a friend who works at the newspaper, and she said several other non-University venues have also adopted the clear bag policy, even some restaurants that have live music. I haven't been following the local news carefully enough.

I found this one on ASOS. Not sure I want to spend $48 though!

Chic clear bags would be a great business opportunity for someone enterprising!

Anonymous

Yikes, its disturbing that there is a need for this!

Staysfit

Veteran

I haven’t heard of this before, but when we were at Universal Studios last year they ran everyone going into the park through a security check at the gate. It was more efficient than at the airport, but they did look in bags, and we had to go through metal detectors, etc. I was a bit surprised but quickly forgot about it once I was inside the park.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I’d say no and be prepared to walk away. The ever-increasing levels of invasion of privacy that have gradually become the norm since 9/11 are alarming. There’s no real security in it. What will be next? See-through pockets? See-through clothes? When you give up privacy for a bit of security, you end up with neither. A false sense of security and no privacy. I wish people would see it for what it is.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

This is so sad. The handbag is part of the outfit! Geez.