Recognizing Intoxication
A responsible bartender watches for signs that a customer has had too much to drink — and stops serving before the situation becomes dangerous.
✓Common signs of intoxication:
- Speech — slurred words, talking loudly, repeating themselves
- Coordination — stumbling, swaying, dropping things, fumbling for money
- Behavior — becoming loud, aggressive, overly friendly, or emotional
- Judgment — making poor decisions, ordering rapidly, bothering other guests
✓The smart approach — pace and observe:
- Keep track of how much each customer has had
- Offer water and food when appropriate
- Slow down service if you notice early signs
- Stop serving before a customer becomes heavily intoxicated
Do not wait until a customer is clearly drunk. Watch for early signs and slow down service before it becomes a problem.