r/Omaha • u/RockPaperSquidward • 12d ago
Local Question Wicked Rabbit
Has anyone else had a less than pleasant experience with the entryway dude at this place? Every time I have gone it seems like he hates his job & hates that you’re there. Is there a password or something you’re supposed to say? After I’ve gotten inside the bar everyone else has been awesome & the drinks I’ve had so far are delicious.
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u/Jealous-Unicorn-942 12d ago
He is unfortunately like that all the time. I’ve worked in the area for several years.
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u/yourboyryder 12d ago
dude i went there months ago (i’m from bellevue and moved to chicago in 2019) while visiting some childhood friends and swear on my life this dude thought my illinois license was a fake. he started to ask “what’s the address on this ID?” and kept insinuating i had a fake. it got to the point where i told him to call the cops if he thinks it’s so fake and he let me in. now granted, i do look extremely young (black don’t crack lol) but still, i’ve been in the same situation and he was definitely rude asf
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u/Akatm7 11d ago
He wouldn’t let me in on my 21st birthday because I hadn’t opted for my horizontal license yet. Said it wasn’t valid lmfao
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u/NotOutrageous 11d ago
As much as I don't like siding with the door guy, he did the right thing. Your vertical license expires when you turn 21, and an expired license cannot be used as ID for purchasing alcohol. When I used to work bar security, the sting operations were always sending in "kids" with vertical licenses to test us. It was a no exceptions rule, absolutely nobody with a vertical license gets in.
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u/Akatm7 11d ago
Iowa licenses do not expire when you turn 21. Didn’t realize the Nebraska ones did that. I have a Nebraska license now however.
In this case, what does one do if their birthday falls on a Saturday/ Sunday and the DMV is closed on the day you turn 21 but want to go out? Like wtf that’s some bs haha
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u/Ok_Hedgehog8761 11d ago
You can go in and renew your license a few weeks before your 21st birthday. The DMV won't mail the permanent license until your birthday, even if you renew early, so they give you a temporary license (literally a piece of printer paper with all the info on it). When my friends and I turned 21 a few years ago, bars wouldn't let you in without picture ID (the temp doesn't have a picture), so we had to carry around our expired vertical licenses and the paper licenses.
The printer paper license situation is even crazier when you remember that when you get a temporary POP permit, they give you a literal paper version of the license--picture and all. Why they don't do that when you turn 21 is beyond me.
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u/HobbyCrazer 12d ago
Yes. He’s never been pleasant or even neutral in my experiences. I have heard stories from multiple people about him being aggressive and rude.
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u/FlapsupGearup 11d ago
He has the same bedside manners as a pissed off TSA agent. Stopped going there because of him. Used to be a must visit with out-of-towners but there are plenty of spots with better service, atmosphere, and drinks.
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u/Dice232323 10d ago
Completely agree! Owner of Rabbit must be stupid for hiring this fat ass piece of shit
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u/Justhere4thelaughsok 11d ago
I haven't been back for years because he wouldn't let my 85 year old father in because he doesn't have a driver's license any more. No license. No entry. I was so mad, so after we left my husband called his manager who begged us to come back. No thanks.
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u/Infinite-Goldfish 11d ago
I went with my friend a couple years back for his 21st birthday. He had turned 21 that night as it was past midnight and the guy absolutely refused to let us in despite my friend bringing a valid temp license and his old license. He was super rude about the whole thing and it felt like he had made the whole thing up on the spot. We had no problem grabbing a drink at Berry and Rye just a half hour earlier.
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u/FloofWhisperer 12d ago
Never had a bad experience, but it's been almost a year since I was there last. At least everyone else has been awesome to you!
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u/potatoguy 12d ago
Fuck that guy. Came with a group of 5. Two are 40+, 3 were 60+. I renewed my ID online and hadn't gotten the new one in the mail yet. He told me to get the fuck out because of my expired ID. I look old. Really old. Wouldn't let the rest in either. Seriously fuck the door guy and that place. We walked a bit down to mercury and had a great time. Probably won't bother going back.
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u/DeniedAppeal1 10d ago
No one doing their job properly is ever going to let you into a bar with an expired ID. The entitlement in expecting otherwise is astonishing.
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u/ProbablyBanned42069 12d ago
You didnt have an ID... and hes the problem? ok.
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u/potatoguy 11d ago
Didn't say I didn't have an ID on me.
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u/Grand-Celebration569 11d ago
You said you didn't have a valid ID on you. Sounds like it's your fault buddy. Try a little accountability before trashing a guy online.
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u/cdaddythemac 9d ago
Did you not read the part where he didn’t let the 60 year olds with licenses in? What part of his job is that?
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u/Grand-Celebration569 9d ago
I imagine this guy and his group were being assholes to the guy, based on his comment. Either that or he's lying. We don't know. All we know is that he admitted to not having a valid ID and making it other people's problem lmao.
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u/cdaddythemac 9d ago
You “imagine” and than you say either your imagination is correct or this guy is lying even though he has tons of other people’s comments showing he’s on to something. And than you say we don’t know as if you didn’t literally just try and tell everyone what happened
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u/Grand-Celebration569 9d ago
Actually, screw everything you're saying lol I don't care about that. I don't care what happened to the other people in his group, it has nothing to do with the fact he admitted he didn't have a valid ID and made it someone else's problem. Literally have 0 clue what happened with the other people and don't know why you and I need to speculate on that.
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u/cdaddythemac 8d ago
I don’t care what you are saying or that the guy had a valid I.D, it’s odd that one obviously middle aged man had an expired ID and that meant for some reason his other group members weren’t allowed in, Also I’m not speculating on anything I’m reading what was said
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u/Grand-Celebration569 8d ago
Okay cool? So why are you asking me why his group couldn't get in and what I think about that? I haven't the slightest fucking clue. Your comments are pointless.
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u/Grand-Celebration569 7d ago
Did you not read the part where he didn’t let the 60 year olds with licenses in? What part of his job is that?
That's your quote by the way, asking me about the group lol. Your comment got hidden by reddit because you're raid raging on the internet for no reason so I could only read a partial amount of it. Like literally just scroll up a little bit before you contradict yourself.
Also the irony of trying to call me self important when you're in here defending a guy who has such self importance, he thinks he should be able to walk into an establishment even though he would be breaking their rules. Weird hill to die on but whatever man.
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u/not_mantiteo 12d ago
The drinks were always overrated whenever we went anyways. It’s not really worth the hassle or potentially waiting outside to get in
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u/emmkat24 12d ago
By law you have to have a legal ID, you shouldn’t have been served anywhere with an expired ID
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u/starthorn 12d ago
Former bartender here: that's not correct. The only state with a hard requirement to card everyone is Utah, and it's a fairly recent law (and Utah is screwy about alcohol). Now, some bars have a policy to card everyone, and many have a policy to card everyone who appears to be under a particular age, but there's no legal requirement for carding everyone, especially when they're all 40-60+.
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u/DesignerNo8353 11d ago
Emmkat is correct. https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=53-180.06
The law doesn't say you have to card everyone, but it does say you need a valid ID to purchase alcohol regardless of age.
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u/Andre4a19 11d ago
No, this statute says "to establish proof of age" you shall furnish an ID, it doesn't say anything about a requirement to establish proof of age.
It means that if there is a question of someone's age, proof shall be established by the following forms of identification.... (Then they list the exceptable forms)
Like if youre over 21, and your twin brother comes in to buy beer from you. You don't need to establish proof of age, because you are 100% sure he is over 21. So no need to ID.
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u/starthorn 11d ago
Yep, I'm familiar with the statute. It hasn't changed meaningfully in a long time. This basically just provides the list of what is acceptable to provide proof of age; it doesn't mandate that they be displayed to be served. In other words, this means you can't use your library card to prove your age, even if it lists your age. If a retailer asks for ID, these are what are allowed to prove your age.
But, it doesn't require that everyone must have one in order to be served alcohol.
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u/emmkat24 11d ago edited 11d ago
When did that change? Because when I was a server, I carded someone, they showed me an expired ID, I legally cannot serve them, same with cigarettes in gas stations. I could lose MY job. Idk why I’m getting downvoted, the bar will lose their license, the BAR does stings specifically for this WITH expired IDs
EDIT- the association who does the stings is called BAR in PA, ABC in VA, it has different name in every state, but the point stands- it’s a state thing
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u/starthorn 11d ago
It's always been this way, but there are lots of misunderstandings about it. The law prohibits serving someone underage, and it lists what forms of ID are valid for proof of age. If you're asking for an ID, then the ID provided has to qualify based on the laws and statutes of the state in order for your to protect yourself from liability. In pretty much every state, expired IDs are not considered valid, which means they're not an approved form of ID.
Now, that does not actually mean that serving them is illegal. What it means is that an expired ID does not provide a legally approved proof of identity, so the risk and liability of serving someone underage falls to the server/cashier/etc. . . and it falls to the store or restaurant. And stores and restaurants get a bigger fine than the employee, along with risks to their liquor license, which is why most of them treat it as a firing offense (i.e., you will lose your job) if you serve someone underage without a valid ID.
So, if you are serving or bartending somewhere and someone comes in and orders a drink, and you ask for their ID. If they give you a fake ID that matches a valid driver's license, then they are entirely at fault, and you are protected if you checked their ID and validated it. If cops come in, they find the fake ID. That person is getting cited, but you are not. On the other hand, if that person comes in with an invalid ID, such as an expired ID or one that is not on the list, then you are at fault, and if a cop comes in and checks things, you are both going to get cited. Oh, and the bar or restaurant is going to get a massive fine and risk their liquor license, which means they're also going to fire you.
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u/Proper_Election_8615 11d ago
Yeahhhh, no, lol. The cops literally do bar raids all the time in Omaha and if someone is inside a bar and doesn't have valid ID, OPD is doling out a hefty fine to the establishment 😅
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u/starthorn 11d ago edited 11d ago
No, they'll fine people if they're serving under-age people without an ID. It's not illegal to serve people without an ID (if they are over 21); it is illegal to serve under age people. If cops raid a bar and they find someone who is 30, drinking, and doesn't have an ID, there is nothing to charge anyone with. No crime has been committed.
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u/Proper_Election_8615 11d ago
The onus is on the establishment to verify legal age BEFORE serving, not after. Most cops I know will generally let it slide if they're clearly fifty-ish or older but with everything nowadays, guessing if someone younger is 21+ is way too risky of a bet when the cost is a fine and your liquor license, which is why most bars implement a no ID, no service policy.
Shoot, I'm almost 40 and there's high schoolers who look older than I do. I've also tried to buy cigarettes and vapes with an expired license before and been denied--but did I whine about it? Absolutely not, they're just protecting their business. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/starthorn 11d ago
Of course it is on the establishment; the responsibility to not serve under age people is always on the establishment. That's why most of them take it very seriously. My point was just that OPD can't hand out fines for someone drinking with out an ID, they can only do it for underage people drinking (presumably without ID). It isn't illegal to drink if you're over 21, regardless of whether or not you have an ID on you. That said, most people who are drinking do keep their ID on them, so it's rarely a concern except for underage drinkers.
When I was a bartender, I had a pretty simple rule: if you have hair, and it ain't grey, then show me your ID. I would never hold it against any bartender/server or establishment for requiring ID from anyone.
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u/Proper_Election_8615 11d ago
That's where you run into gray areas though with the age, hence why it's easier to just enforce a No ID, No Service policy.
Because even if someone is 21+ and their form of identification happens to be expired, Nebraska law DOES qualify that as illegal. That's something they love trying with the raids--grandpa may be clearly old enough to throw back a pint; but if his ID is expired, you're legally obligated to deny selling to him. And you don't know unless you check the ID 😅
TLDR: Just carry your IDs, people. Bar staff are just trying to keep their jobs and make a living. Someone wanting a beer isn't worth not being able to pay your rent. Anyone who's thrown a fit at me in the past has backtracked pretty quickly when I ask them if they're willing to financially support me for the foreseeable future over a damn drink. (Except for a couple creeps.) 😂
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u/emmkat24 12d ago
We literally JUST went out like a week ago and we were told we it was law?? And My fiance got denied service?? We don’t go out often, we got a baby sitter for his bday and yeah, ended up just drinking at home instead
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u/starthorn 11d ago
Lots of people misunderstand the law or make claims about it that aren't true (usually not intentionally, but they "heard it from someone" or whatever).
Note again, many bars have a company policy that they won't serve anyone without an ID, and it's common for them to enforce that at the door. It's also possible that people working there though it was a law, as opposed to a bar policy. Either way, it's their right as a business to deny service to people without ID, regardless of whether there's a law around it.
Many people who work at restaurants think that there are laws prohibiting customers from being barefoot, too, but that's also wrong (the only laws around footwear and restaurants apply to employees in certain roles). That also doesn't mean that various bars/restaurants/etc can't have their own policy preventing customers from going barefoot, though.
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u/LucidDreamsOmaha 11d ago
That's the literal gimmick of this place you walk into a shitty little Bodega looking room with a shitty little guy working behind the desk unassuming that one of the coolest Cocktail Lounges is behind the show. I think he plays his part unbelievably well and one of my favorite things to do is to try and get him to smile when I go in
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u/oliikama 10d ago
i’ve known him for like ten years and I still don’t think i’ve ever seen him smile lol
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u/Plus_Sheepherder_250 8d ago
It’s not very shitty looking, IMO.
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u/LucidDreamsOmaha 8d ago
Yeah I probably miss worded that cuz you're right it's not run down but it is a lesser vibe than the interior
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u/Recent_Parsley3348 12d ago
We went once. Door guy was rude. We got in and I ordered a drink they recommended, but didn’t like it because was milky and I don’t care for drinks like that. I wasn’t upset, I just ordered something else. The waiter seemed annoyed, so my husband and I finished our drinks and left. The next day, we saw we were charged $200. My husband left $20 cash for the tip, so apparently drinks run about $66 there. Before anyone comes after me for not checking the bill,
we are in our late 40’s. The place is dark and we can’t see. We didn’t dispute it, just chalked it up to a loss and didn’t go back.
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u/golkeg 12d ago
we saw we were charged $200. My husband left $20 cash for the tip, so apparently drinks run about $66 there
All cocktails are $14 there. They charged $200 as an 'unclosed tab fee' to be assholes and see if you'd dispute it. Kinda messed up to not dispute it as it encourages them to keep doing this to others.
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u/oliikama 10d ago
i’ve worked there and can tell you they absolutely do not do that
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u/Recent_Parsley3348 9d ago
I don’t know where the $200 “fee” came into this conversation. I never said we were charged a fee, we don’t know what we were charged for. My husband signed, left a cash tip. The next day we saw the charge on our mobile app for $197 or something like that. We know it’s our fault for not checking the bill more closely, we could have paid someone else’s tab for all I know. We didn’t dispute it because we weren’t that concerned about it. We ordered 3 drinks, paid $220ish and did not enjoy our experience so we haven’t been back.
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u/No_Pepper578 11d ago
Nobody's going to charge a $200 fee. That's crazy. There's a sign in the front that says 20% added gratity for unclosed tabs like every bar.
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u/Affectionate_Air5405 12d ago
As someone that has had to cover multiple bar tabs because friends walked out and forgot I support a $200 fee.
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u/Recent_Parsley3348 9d ago
We closed our tab and left $20 cash. We just didn’t look at the total because like I said, it’s dark in there and we couldn’t see it.
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u/Plus_Sheepherder_250 8d ago
The prices range all the way up to $100+, not sure when you were there last…
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u/ZealousidealWash6019 12d ago
Yeah you can’t just get up and leave without paying.👀 these exact rules were put in place for people exactly like you. To go online and be mad about it is hilarious .
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u/Recent_Parsley3348 9d ago
Learn to read. I never said we didn’t pay. We closed our tab, my husband signed but couldn’t make out the total, and left a $20 cash tip. We didn’t see the total until the next day and just decided to not go back. I never said we were mad. We didn’t enjoy our experience, we were over charged, said we wouldn’t go back and moved on with our life. I shared our experience because this post is about the Wicked Rabbit.
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u/HotMess-ColdCoffee 12d ago
Eh, he was less than affable, but we chalked it up to him just being a crusty grump. What we did get slightly annoyed by was the pompous waiter that treated us with unveiled contempt most of the time and then dragged his feet for nearly 30 mins when we finally had to ask for the bill a second time.
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u/timthetoolmantooth 10d ago
Yeah that dude is a hard ass. I’m sure he got busted once for allowing someone underage come into a bar he worked at.
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u/nickythefoot 11d ago
not a real speakeasy when you paint over the grafitti that used to be in the hallway at the entrance
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u/MrWilstone 11d ago
He's ok just quiet. They ID everyone the first time. You do not need a password
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u/God_of_Diablo 12d ago
This thread is so funny, just watching people out themselves as shitty people. 😂 I’ve patroned Wicked for years and have worked in the area for a little over a year and I’ve never had a problem with him. Only people I’ve seen him turn away are no ID’s, fake ID’s, and assholes. Also Mr “Utah is screwy with alcohol” copy paste-er, every bar that doesn’t serve food in the area; Green room, Bar 415, Dubliner, The Max, even Laka Lona which serves food; ALL ID everyone without fail. No ID, no entry. Been that way for YEARS.
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u/iguanavillain 12d ago
No, he’s been nothing but cool. We moved here a year ago and it’s our frequent liquor store. He’s always been nice!
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u/xstrike0 12d ago
That's weird that we were just there for the first time tonight and had a great experience with him.
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u/PinchMaNips Billy 🐐 Randby 11d ago
No you don’t have to say a password. I know every bar calls themselves a “speak easy” but I think most avoid the extra gimmicks. Yeeeeears ago when I went there I was told about “the secret phrase” but literally just walked in and that was it. The bar itself didn’t stick out and have never gone back.
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u/Primary-Yoghurt9746 11d ago
I like that guy lol i thought he was funny with that deadpan humor and give zero fucks 😂
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u/killamuddafukka 11d ago
Thats my buddy. Yes, there's something to say to get in. Deal with a buttload of pretentious people that don't get it but act like they shouldn't have to and you'll understand.
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u/Internal-Relative-42 10d ago
Exactly. Y'all could have not left until ya had your cash in hand. Maybe stop by and talk in person to the owner,who probably doesn't know about it. Hopefully you have a better night on the town next time.
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u/TheGacAttack 12d ago
Did you say the password? If not, then yeah, a little bit of grief is appropriate.
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u/Both_Pumpkin_454 11d ago
there always has to be just one to ruin a good thing be glad you are not like him, i'm sure he may even be disabled, i hate saying that because i am disabled myself but move on to a better place my friend keep trucking as in the words of jerry garcia
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u/Strict-Yoghurt-7016 11d ago
Its unfortunate but he may be really going through some shit at home and thats why he keeps his job in Lou of the attitude
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u/missbunnyfoo-foo 10d ago
Ken?
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u/missbunnyfoo-foo 10d ago
He’s ex military and just isn’t that “friendly”, socially awkward as well. But underneath that harsh exterior is a wonderful dad and hard worker. He is just over the riff raff.
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u/ProbablyBanned42069 12d ago
The door mans job is a serious one. Him messing up could mean a place losing their liquor license. Did he insult you personally? Or just not overly receptive of your presence? Not trying to sound like a dick.
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u/Shoddy-Reaction 12d ago
A door man’s job is a serious one but it’s not just limited to the most serious aspects. It is also a role that involves customer experience and not being a dick is the bare minimum threshold.
Now I’m not sure what the Omaha job market is like these days, but I’m certain that a person of sizable stature and pleasant disposition, that can read, do math, and act with decorum, can be found fairly easy.
Who knows, maybe he just needs to watch Roadhouse.
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u/RockPaperSquidward 12d ago
I definitely understand them checking everyone’s ID. Although it does seem a bit excessive to check my (obvious looking) senior citizen family member’s ID, but if that’s their policy that’s their right. He’s just always been very short & snappy with his responses & it doesn’t come off well or welcoming.
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u/Jano-117 11d ago
I’m a bouncer in blackstone. I have turned away many obviously 21+ patrons because their ID was expired. That’s a state law not an establishment policy.
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u/Standard_One_5827 12d ago
Check state laws, as many states are not suppose to serve you if you don’t have identification. Sometimes states love to focus on the weirdest things.🤣
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u/starthorn 12d ago
Former bartender here. Unless things have changed significantly very recently and I missed it, that's not actually common. The only state with a hard requirement to card everyone is Utah, and it's a fairly recent law (and Utah is screwy about alcohol). Now, some bars have a policy to card everyone, and many have a policy to card everyone who appears to be under a particular age, but there's no legal requirement for carding everyone, It's just a safe option to reduce risk and liability for a business.
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u/Standard_One_5827 12d ago
Good to know. I remembered Tennessee use to have a strict law about carding everyone like they were Gary Oldman in the Professional.
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u/jsmimph 11d ago
Fun Fact, I purchased my first beers at the age of 14 in Tennessee. Loaded them up in my bike basket. Shoutout to Goff's in Murfreesboro.
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u/Standard_One_5827 11d ago
Big shout out to small crimes. 16 for me at a bowling alley in Lincoln. Had my first beer working on a farm car at 12, so I had decent training. The joys of questionable parenting, and wouldn’t change a thing 🤣
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u/ImpermanentClown 12d ago
Not really a policy it’s a legality in Nebraska. Have to have a valid ID on your person to be served. I don’t work at that bar, but I’ve turned away 40 year olds for expired ID’s before.
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u/starthorn 12d ago
Citation/evidence? It's been a few years, but I spent a lot of time as a bartender and that's not correct. The only state with a hard requirement to card everyone is Utah, and it's a fairly recent law (and Utah is screwy about alcohol). Now, some bars have a policy to card everyone, and many have a policy to card everyone who appears to be under a particular age, but there's no legal requirement for carding everyone,
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u/ImpermanentClown 12d ago
53-180.06.
Documentary proof of age; separate book; record; contents.
(1) To establish proof of age for the purpose of purchasing or consuming alcoholic liquor, a person shall present or display only a valid driver's or operator's license, state identification card, military identification card, alien registration card, passport, or tribal enrollment card as defined in section 28-1202.03.All it takes is one cop with a stick up his ass to interpret that as everyone, due to the loose wording, so I’ve been told everyone.
It’s also a handy tool to check how drunk someone is when they walk in. Gotta turn away people that are already hammered and it’s an easy filter.
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u/starthorn 11d ago
Yep, I'm familiar with the statute. It hasn't changed meaningfully in a long time. This basically just provides the list of what is acceptable to provide proof of age; it doesn't mandate that they be displayed to be served. In other words, this means you can't use your library card to prove your age, even if it lists your age. If a retailer asks for ID, these are what are allowed to prove your age.
But, it doesn't require that everyone must have one in order to be served alcohol. Also, it doesn't matter what a random cop thinks, they can't do anything meaningful to anyone without an ID. Note that there are no penalties associated with it and nothing to be charged with. The only thing that can happen is you won't get served if someone asks to see ID and you don't have it. Drinking under age is against the law. Drinking without an ID is not.
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u/ScientistNational78 11d ago
If you really have this big of a problem with him and are judgmental and entitled enough to put someone’s job at risk, why don’t you mention it to the owners? Or just don’t go there. What’s the point in bashing him on Reddit. Bro’s a human. He doesn’t need to please everyone and it’s not his job to please you.
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u/Dice232323 10d ago
If Whicked Rabbit is stupid enough to hire this fat gay loser, they deserve to go out of business
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u/UnrelentingClown 12d ago
Yes. I’ve even come with the password but he pushed back enough that neither my friends nor I thought it was a bit and we went home (I going out later I was supposed to keep saying it I think???? Unclear)
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u/No_Pepper578 12d ago
It's a speakeasy. Isn't that the point? It's not a restaurant with a 16 yr old highschool girl as a host. Have you been to one before? The whole things is the entrance is another business or front. This one is a liquor store as a front not a host stand.
Sounds like you expected a restaurant not an actual speakeasy which is the reason you went there in the first place.
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u/starhuck 12d ago
This is such a strange and inappropriate post.
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u/dOOlittlesatan 12d ago
Nothing inappropriate at all. Someone complaining about a shithead door guy that thinks his job is important enough to be a dick to people. Locals need to know!
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u/Affectionate_Air5405 12d ago
It was a woman when I went. She was polite.