Bootlegging is a word that gets a lot of different meanings. In some cases, it is running an illegal bar... sometimes quite glibly ignoring the law. In others, it is about getting after hour deliveries. My summer job painting a house when I was 17 gave me a real education on that sort when I worked on the house next to the bootleggers. In Sydney, Australia things are less grotty or at least the grot is on line:
It's sly grog for the 21st century. A Facebook page offering round-the-clock booze delivery in Sydney has piqued the interest of NSW liquor licensing authorities, who are threatening fines of $11,000 and a 12-month jail sentence. The Blind Pig Sydney page recently went live on Facebook, offering free delivery of six packs of beer and bottles of wine for $15 a piece and bottles of vodka and whisky with mixers for $50. Delivery in the inner west, eastern suburbs, north and south Sydney is free, according to the ad, and proof-of-age identification is required on delivery.
The law is moving in. People in suits are saying things like the operator had "brought into disrepute" liquor licensing laws. Frankly, it's pretty odd that this was only being attempted now. Maybe, once the cops are done with them, they will morph into the quick delivery of other products - like that long awaited service that brings the hungover a selection of mild breakfast foods as well as over the counter remedies in the middle of the day: "Hello? ...I'll have three orders of toast... twelve aspirin... and a jug of milky tea, please. Yes, hurry... hurry..."
