Did you know that almost 43% of bartenders work in restaurants or similar eating establishments? That’s right, it’s not just bars employing staff members who serve alcohol. Whether you’re part of the restaurant industry or the bar industry, it’s crucial that your employees know how to properly serve alcohol. Here are a few practical things you should know.
Don’t serve alcohol to an intoxicated customer.
If a customer is visibly intoxicated when they order a drink, it’s time to cut them off. How do you know when someone has had too many? Monitoring. Checking in with customers periodically and making note of how many drinks they’ve already ordered is an important part of making sure your patrons are safe in your establishment.
Don’t serve to the point of intoxication.
Any licensed bartender or server should know when to stop serving drinks. The signs of intoxication obviously arise on a highly individualized basis, but an experienced server should know the telltale signs of intoxication in their customers. Some common symptoms to look for are flushed skin, heightened aggression, and nausea or dizziness.
Always ask for ID.
Serving alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 is illegal. Even if someone appears over 21, it’s imperative to ask for the proper identification. If this isn’t standard practice, servers not only risk breaking the law, they risk losing their jobs as well. It’s absolutely crucial for servers to know how to properly check an ID to ensure nobody under the age of 21 is allowed to purchase or drink alcohol.
Invest in ABC classes.
If you want to make sure every server in your establishment is fully prepared and knowledgeable about the sale of alcoholic beverages, ABC classes are absolutely essential. In these classes, servers will learn all of the information above and more. Training typically culminates in the issuing of a license or permit which businesses can keep on record. If you have any questions about ABC training, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Aim to Serve.
Learning to serve alcohol is only half the battle. After that, it’s a matter of making sure employees are upholding the procedures learned in their ABC classes. Don’t let your business go unprotected.