As a seller/server, you have been trained to recognize when your customer has had too much to drink. It is your responsibility when you sell and serve alcohol to ensure the safety of your patrons. Overly tipsy people may become aggressive or disruptive. It is important to recognize when a customer has had too much to drink.
Try these strategies for handling tipsy patrons:
- Be aware of attempts to stack drinks:
- A customer orders two drinks at one time. If the server suspects one is for a minor, they can ask to see IDs for all people at the table or bar.
- A customer orders multiple alcoholic drinks per order. Establish policies such as (1) one drink must be consumed and cleared before a second one can be ordered; or (2) establish a limit on the number of drinks to be served per customer, per visit, at your establishment.
- Cut off an overly tipsy drinker and know when to say “when” for them:
- Update fellow employees on customer behavior during shift change, communicating with both bartenders and servers.
- Be attentive and, with appropriate timing, respectfully “cut off” the customer.
- Slow beverage service if needed.
- Offer mocktails or lower ABV versions of the drink.
- Encourage customers to “pause and hydrate”.
- Show you care and do not serve visibly intoxicated customers.
- Give them the check.
- Avoid customer embarrassment.
- Log all customer events in the establishment’s Incident Log Report. You can order free Incident Logs and other signs for your establishment here.
- Use our new coaster to help!
- For more information on ABCD’s new coasters click here.
One side of the coaster showcases a green ABCD logo. When the GREEN side is flipped up, this is a visible sign to you that the customer is in a “good place” to be served drinks.
The other side however has a red Alcohol Responsibility Matters logo. When the RED side is flipped up, this may help bartenders/servers with the decision to stop serving the customer and to offer water, non-alcoholic options, food, etc.
- Have food available
- Offer safe rides home
- Make sure you have repeat customers
- Have ride options available for your customers
By following these simple tips, you are helping keep your business and your customers safe, while meeting your goal for your customers to have a good time and to come back again.
Low ABV of the Week: Lemon Shandy
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces lager beer
- 8 ounces lemonade
Directions:
- In a pint glass, combine the lager and lemonade and stir briefly to combine.
Makes 1 serving.
Mocktail of the Week: Shirley Ginger
Ingredients:
- 4 cups nonalcoholic Ginger Beer
- 1 cup club soda or lemon-lime soda
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- .25 cup grenadine
Directions:
- Stir ginger beer, club soda, lime juice, and grenadine in a pitcher.
- Pour into tall glasses with ice.
- Garnish with lime rounds and or maraschino cherries.
Makes 4 servings.