How Alcohol Servers Can Make the Community a Safer Place
Bartending is an exciting career choice and is considered one of the most sought-after positions in the hospitality industry. However, it also comes with significant responsibility. There is a massive correlation between alcohol consumption and physical and psychological effects on society.
Most people do not know their alcohol limits, which can get them into trouble. Serving drinks to such people is an arduous task. Moreover, bartenders must ensure these individuals reach their homes safely. There are many drunk driving instances, child abuse cases, and public fights resulting from alcohol abuse. Moreover, there are many cases where the drinker has to be hospitalized and can also reach a life-threatening condition. As much responsibility as it is for the patron to manage their alcohol intake, it is also the bartender's.
Here is how alcohol servers can make the community a safer place:
- By Not Over-serving: As mentioned before, many people don’t know their alcohol consumption limits. They overdrink due to the atmosphere and peer pressure. In such cases, the bartender should know when to stop serving. They can give the patron their check, offer complimentary drinks to prevent a hangover, or slow the service. You can also suggest that the patrons order some food. Eating will slow down their consumption rate. The alcohol server must politely engage with intoxicated patrons, as they can become agitated easily and cause a scene in the establishment.
- By Not Serving Underage Patrons: Alcohol servers should always check the identity cards of their patrons. They should match the name, date of birth, physical description, and photograph with the person standing in front of them. If the patron cannot present an identification card, the bartender should ask for an acceptable form of identification and verify that the person is the same as the one being served. It is very common for teenagers to create fake IDs under peer pressure and go to clubs and bars. Alcohol servers should also be able to distinguish between fake and genuine IDs. Alcohol servers are trained to verify identities during their training and certification courses, making it imperative that they complete their studies.
- By Knowing Alcohol Serving Laws and Regulations: The alcohol-serving establishments must check the certifications of completion for alcohol serving courses taken by the employee. They must be up-to-date and original. It is necessary because the training equips alcohol servers and bartenders with knowledge of state and national laws governing alcohol service. The classes also train them to handle unexpected situations and to address difficult ones where the establishment’s image may be at risk. The alcohol servers are also trained to call cabs, record contact numbers, and ensure customers reach home safely, as customers can sue the establishment and authorities in severe cases.
- By Contacting Authorities In Emergencies: If the alcohol servers and waitpeople cannot handle a patron, they should contact the manager and the establishment owners in such cases. Authorities are better equipped and more experienced to handle the situation.
About A+ Server Education
Get trained to receive your alcohol certification course by enrolling in A+ Server Education. We have over 15 years of experience you can trust to equip you with the knowledge you need to obtain your permit. If you have any questions about our training courses, reach out to us by calling (503) 740-5509 or (877) 740-5509, or email us for more information.
