The Liquor License Authority's moves this week to place nightclubs under stricter regulations are, unfortunately, a sign of the times.

The idea of being frisked and required to go through metal detectors when entering a nightclub will be unpalatable to most people. Most people go to nightclubs to be entertained and to have fun. Being treated like a potential criminal at the door is not how most people want to start their night out. Having said that, the problems being caused in (and outside) nightclubs across the Island are such that the Authority is justified in making these moves.

If they deter fights and reduce injuries so that people can enjoy themselves then that is necessary. And it is also right that the requirements should apply across the board without exceptions. To impose certain requirements on one nightclub and not on others would only encourage troublemakers to go elsewhere and cause problems for other operators.

At least this way, customers will know that every nightclub offers them a reasonable level of safety. It may also be that the nightclubs, who have a year to put these measures into place, may be able to restore order, and therefore avoid further measures or be allowed to reduce the current requirements.

What is more problematic for the clubs are incidents that occur outside, either by departing patrons or by people who are hanging around the doors. Clearly, they have no control over these incidents, but tend to be identified with them. This is a matter for the Police, who need to ensure that they have sufficient officers available to either deter or deal with incidents.

The other challenge for nightclub owners concerns under age drinking and dealing with people who have had too much to drink. There seems to be some confusion over the power of nightclub owners, or their bouncers and bartenders, to deal with these cases. Clearly, they need to have the power to refuse entry to under age people and they should also have the power to refuse alcohol to people who have had too much. This means that the owners must ban under age patrons from entering the premises. This should not be difficult for nightclubs which do not serve food. Bars which also have restaurants face a more difficult problem since people under the age of 18 are entitled to order meals. But they should not be allowed to order drinks and adults should not be able to order drinks for them.

Bermuda has traditionally taken a relaxed view of drinking laws. But of the community is serious about combatting alcoholism, it has to start taking steps to reduce under age drinking. Equally, bars and nightclubs are the first line of defence when it comes to preventing impaired driving. While making the holders of licences liable for customers who drink too much and then drive is a complicated legal question, licence holders have some responsibility for cutting people off if they seem to be putting themselves at risk.

They should have the ability to refuse to serve a customer who is clearly impaired, and for having the person removed. None of these steps are particularly welcome, either for customers or for the owners of the clubs. But they are necessary.