As every bartender or hotelier would agree, being a bartender is not just about mixing drinks and serving guests. Bartending is a very important job that requires many responsibilities, especially when it comes to selling alcohol. Bartenders are responsible for making sure that their guests drink responsibly and follow the rules and laws of the country they live in. If you are new to bartending or just want to improve your skills or product knowledge, we will discuss down below some important things a bartender needs to know before selling alcohol.
A Bartender Needs To Know The Below Before Selling Alcohol:
1. Know the Legal Drinking Age
One of the most important things a bartender needs to know is the legal drinking age in the country they are in. In many countries, the legal drinking age is 18 or 21 years old. However, it can vary depending on where you live. For example, in the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, but in countries like the United Kingdom, it’s 18. Make sure you know the local laws in your area and always check a customer’s ID to confirm their age before serving them alcohol.
2. Checking IDs Properly
When selling alcohol, you will often need to check the guest’s ID to make sure they are old enough to drink. A bartender needs to know how to check ID’s properly as this is a very important part of his job as a bartender. If you sell alcohol to someone underage, it could cause big problems for you and the business. Here’s how to check an ID properly:
- Ask for a government-issued ID, like a driver’s license or passport.
- Look at the birthdate to check if they are of legal drinking age.
- Check the photo to make sure it matches the person.
- Look for signs of a fake ID, like blurry text, poor-quality materials, or strange fonts.
If you are unsure whether an ID is real or not, it’s better to be safe and refuse to serve the guest.
3. Understand Alcohol Laws in Your Area
Each country or state has its own set of laws about selling alcohol. A bartender needs to know these laws so he don’t accidentally break them. Some of these laws may include:
- Hours of Sale: In many places, there are specific hours when you can and cannot sell alcohol. Make sure you know these times and never serve alcohol outside of them.
- Types of Alcohol: Some places have restrictions on the types of alcohol you can sell. For example, some bars may only be allowed to serve beer and wine but not hard liquor.
- Alcohol Limits: Some areas have laws about how much alcohol a person can buy or consume in one sitting.
Knowing and following these laws will keep you out of trouble and make sure that the bar or restaurant operates legally.
4. Recognizing Intoxication
As a bartender, part of your job is to make sure that guests don’t drink too much. Recognizing when someone is intoxicated (drunk) is very important. Serving alcohol to someone who is already drunk can lead to accidents, fights, or even legal issues for your establishment. Here are some signs that a guest might be intoxicated:
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Aggressive or overly emotional behavior
- Slow reaction times
- Glassy or red eyes
If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to stop serving that customer alcohol and suggest they switch to water or a soft drink instead. You can also offer them food, as eating can help slow down alcohol absorption.
5. How to Refuse Service Politely
Sometimes, you will have to refuse to serve alcohol to a guest. This could be because they are underage, intoxicated, or because they don’t have a proper ID. Refusing service can be challenging, as some customers might get upset. However, it’s important to stay calm and polite. Here’s how you can handle these situations:
- Be firm but polite: “I’m sorry, but I cannot serve you any more alcohol.“
- Explain the reason: “It’s against the law to serve alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated.”
- Offer alternatives: “How about I get you some water or a soda instead?”
Staying calm and respectful will help you avoid arguments and keep the situation under control.
6. Understanding The Effects of Alcohol
Knowing how alcohol affects the body can help you better understand why it’s important to control how much your customers drink. When someone drinks alcohol, it affects their brain, making it harder to think clearly, react quickly, and control their emotions. This is why people sometimes act differently when they are drunk.
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, and different people react differently to alcohol. For example, a small person may get drunk more quickly than a larger person after drinking the same amount of alcohol. Food in the stomach can also slow down the absorption of alcohol.
As a bartender, it’s your responsibility to help people drink responsibly, which means not serving them too much alcohol too quickly.
7. Handling Difficult Situations
Bartending isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you’ll need to deal with difficult situations, like drunk or angry guests. Knowing how to handle these situations can make your job easier and safer. Here are some tips:
- Stay calm: If a customer gets upset or aggressive, try to stay calm and avoid escalating the situation.
- Ask for help: If a customer refuses to leave or becomes violent, ask your manager or security for help.
- Stay professional: Even in tough situations, always act in a professional manner.
Remember that your safety and the safety of other customers are the most important things. If a situation gets out of control, don’t hesitate to get help.
8. Keep a Clean and Safe Environment
A clean and organized bar is important for health and safety. Always make sure your bar area is clean, and follow health regulations. This includes washing your hands regularly, cleaning glasses and tools, and making sure that the alcohol you serve is stored properly.
Also, make sure that your bar is safe for customers. For example, if a drink spills, clean it up right away to avoid slips and falls. Keeping the environment clean and safe will make the bar a more enjoyable place for everyone.
9. Customer Service Skills
Bartending is not just about serving drinks – it’s also about providing good customer service. A great bartender knows how to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. Here are a few tips for good customer service:
- Be friendly and approachable.
- Pay attention to your customers’ needs.
- Remember regular customers’ names and favorite drinks if possible.
- Handle complaints or problems quickly and professionally.
Good customer service can make a big difference in whether or not people want to come back to the bar.
10. Be Knowledgeable About Drinks
Finally, a good bartender should have knowledge about the drinks they are serving. This doesn’t mean you need to know everything, but having basic knowledge about different types of alcohol, cocktails, and beer can make you more confident in your role. Knowing how to make popular cocktails and recommending drinks to guests will also improve their experience.
Let’s have a look into our video below for more tips:
We hope that this post was helpful when it comes to things a bartender needs to know before selling alcohol. As u already know, bartending is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws, recognizing intoxication, and providing good customer service are key parts of being a successful bartender. By understanding these important aspects, you can ensure that you are selling alcohol responsibly and creating a safe, enjoyable environment for your customers.
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