Where Have All The All Age Venues Gone?

The concept of the all age venue has been around for a number of years.
For the uninitiated, all ages simply means: all who wish to see a show are allowed admittance.

So why aren't there any?

The sad truth is, when it comes to all age sales versus alcohol sales, the all age venue is doomed to live a relatively short life.The reason for this is, when a venue first opens, the overhead cost is usually high, due to any number of renovations that may have been done to it- anything from renovations, to bringing the building up to code.

The owner has to make money off of something. If not alcohol then what? Most of the all age venues I have seen or played in usually limit their fare to coffee, obscure records, or comics, which all belong to a rapidly dwindling market. Who needs to buy records when you can download them for free while sipping on a mocha from Starbucks?

Why don't they just make it a point to check I.D.'s at the door?

Because every kid who frequents a place that serves alcohol is just too much of a legal liability. Imagine an underage kid driving home drunk from a show and getting in a wreck or causing a fight. Youth is already unpredictable enough with insular hormones awash in melancholic confusion. Why throw alcohol in the mix?

What can be done?

This is a tough question and one I have been trying to answer for a while. House shows can be put on for certain bands,if they are folksy or acoustic. But any band not in that genre will probably catch the attention of the police.

Can this be remedied?

Is there a way to have a successful space that operates at low cost and attends to the needs of youth and touring bands in a safe and comfortable environment?

I don't know.

Thoughts anyone?