Serving Alcohol Responsibly: Tips for Bartenders

When drinks are served, it's usually a sign of good times. But as a bar owner or waiter, it's your responsibility to make sure those good times are safe. In cities like Las Vegas, you can appeal to your guests' FOMO when they try to reduce their alcohol consumption. As a waiter or bar owner, you'll most likely encounter situations that require you to step in and be responsible.

Since 1982, there has been a 48% decrease in deaths from drunk driving and a 66% decrease in lifelong alcohol consumption in eighth grade. It's not always easy for waiters to refuse to serve another drink to a drunk person. If the customer is with friends or family, this group can help convince them to stop ordering more drinks. As part of your initial in-person training, include a role-playing session in which staff practices isolating a customer so that they feel safe when refusing service. This summer, they will launch the “Safe Night” program to provide waiters and bar owners with even more tools. Loud and unpleasant behavior or concern about a customer's condition can also make you feel uncomfortable with the person who drinks in your establishment.

Userve's alcoholic beverage server training programs include resources for you to understand how alcohol affects the body, the laws and regulations related to serving alcoholic beverages, and even more tips for maintaining a safe environment for your team and customers. The first step is to make sure that your co-workers, including other waiters, hosts, security staff and managers, know when you're going to interrupt service to a particular customer. As a waiter or alcoholic beverage waiter, it's your responsibility to interrupt service when your customer has been intoxicated. To make sure that drinks are served responsibly, here are some tips and techniques you can use:

• Include role-playing sessions in initial training so staff can practice isolating customers who need to be refused service.
• Make sure all staff members know when service should be interrupted.
• Obtain an alcoholic beverage server certificate so you have the tools needed to serve alcohol responsibly.
• Ensure that no service is provided if there is a shift change or if you take a break.

By following these tips and techniques, bartenders can ensure that drinks are served responsibly and safely. This will help create an enjoyable atmosphere for customers while also protecting them from potential harm.