Can bartenders drink on the job in the USA?

Asked by: Deborah Renner IV  |  Last update: February 13, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (34 votes)

States where bartender drinking on the job is legal include Nevada, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico, Louisiana, Missouri, Virginia, and Oregon.

Can you drink while working as a bartender?

Answer: As a long-time Restaurant Business advice columnist, I sometimes feel my title should be Killjoy rather than Advice Guy. While drinking along with guests may be a common practice, especially in casual and fun environments, in most states, including yours, it is illegal for bartenders to drink on the job.

What is the 50 rule in bartending?

What's the 50% rule in bartending? The proper time to serve customers the next cocktail is once they've consumed 50% of their drink.

Can you drink while on shift?

There's nothing specifically illegal about drinking at a bar you work at if you're not currently on your shift no.

Can a bartender make $1000 a week?

At any normal bar, you should expect to make anywhere from $250-300 per night in tips. Work 3 nights per week and that's already close to $1000 per week, just in tips. 5 nights per week and you can be bringing in $1500 per week just in tips alone.

Should bartenders be able to drink on the job?

44 related questions found

Do bartenders work 40 hours a week?

Full-time bartenders work roughly 40 hours a week, with an average shift, day or night, lasting between 10 to 12 hours. This includes set-up or breakdown time and often does not include breaks. Part-time bartenders, on the other hand, can work anywhere from a few hours to 30 hours.

Can you make a living bartending?

With tips, on average, bartenders earn $60,787.20 per year. Before tips, a bartender is looking at an average of $34,490 a year. Income for a tipped job, such as bartending, is separated into two categories: base pay (an hourly rate) and tipped pay.

How many bartenders drink on the job?

California. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control prohibits bartenders from drinking at any point during their shift—before, during, or after providing alcohol service. The rules are intended to ensure bartenders can accurately monitor patrons' intoxication levels and cut them off if needed.

Can I be fired for drinking on the job?

An employer may be required to provide an accommodation to an alcoholic. However, an employer can discipline, discharge or deny employment to an alcoholic whose use of alcohol adversely affects job performance or conduct.

Is it illegal to be under the influence at work?

While these protections are meant to help employees seeking rehabilitation or partaking in recreational use of legal drugs outside the workplace, it is important to remember that none of these laws permit an employee to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work. California's cannabis protections ...

What is the golden rule of bartending?

Rule #1: Be Sociable

The first rule to being a good bartender is to be friendly and sociable. You need to be approachable to make sure your customers are at ease. Of course, it doesn't mean that customers can ask you out on a date every time they go to the bar. They are just simply comfortable around them.

What is a dirty dump in bartending?

A “dirty dump” in bartending refers to the technique of transferring the entire contents of a cocktail shaker into a serving glass, without the use of a strainer. This method includes all the ice, as well as any muddled fruits, herbs, and other solid ingredients used in the cocktail's preparation.

How many counts is a 2 oz pour?

How Many Counts Is a 2 Oz Pour? A 2-ounce pour is 4 counts using a pour spout. So you'll count “one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand, four one-thousand” and stop.

Is it illegal for bartenders to drink at work?

In California, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages by any person while on duty in a place where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises.

Can you be sober and a bartender?

All in all, each person has their challenges in being a sober bartender. But the good news is, more and more people are pulling it off—and having very successful careers without drinking. Many of those who bartend sober say they feel far healthier—and even better at their job—because of it.

Can bartenders make good money?

In California, bartenders can earn a base pay from $38,000 to $60,000 a year. The average is around $48,000. Additional pay is in the range of $19,000 to $35,000, with $28,000 as the median amount.

Can you fail a drug test if you drink alcohol?

Alcohol, being a substance that can linger in your system for several hours to days depending on the amount consumed, might not only show up in certain types of drug tests or alcohol tests, but could also potentially affect the results of other screenings for substances.

What happens if you get caught drinking on the job?

When Alcohol or Drugs Interfere With Your Work. If your boss suspects you might be drunk or high at work, they can ask you about your alcohol and drug use or have you take a drug test. They can also fire you. But your employer may allow you to take a leave of absence to get treatment for addiction.

How to avoid smelling like alcohol in the morning?

How do I stop smelling like alcohol? There are several strategies: maintain good oral hygiene, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, eat before and after drinking, use natural remedies like parsley or lemon, chew gum or mints, and engage in physical activity to speed up metabolism.

Can bartenders refuse to serve?

There are several legitimate reasons for bartenders to refuse service. For example, underage individuals, those who have over-consumed or are showing symptoms of intoxication, excessively rowdy or unruly customers, a person harassing staff or other customers, or if the establishment is at capacity.

Is bartending one of the hardest jobs?

In fact, according to research, the hospitality industry ranks among the top sectors that cause high stress levels, and bartending is one of the most stressful jobs in the industry. Can Bartending Impact Your Mental Health? A bar is a fast-paced environment that demands constant attention and quick thinking.

How many beers can a bartender serve in an hour?

The average bartender can make and serve 10 to 15 drinks per hour. But, of course, this number will vary depending on the type of drinks you're serving and the experience of your bartenders.

Can a bartender make $1000 a night?

Such skills can determine a high-earning evening for a bartender. According to Serving Alcohol's US Bartender Statistics, on a slow night at a small-town pub, bartenders can make as little as $40 in tips, while on a busy night in a more cosmopolitan club, they can make as much as $1,000 in one shift.

Is bartending a stressful job?

The Cons You Need To Know About Bartending

I asked a few of my bartender mates what the most stressful elements of their jobs were and they literally all said the same thing: Dealing with difficult customers, trying to work a busy shift when you're short staffed and the erratic and often long hours.

Where do bartenders make the most money?

1. Where do bartenders make the most money? Top 10 States (By basic salary)
  1. Hawaii. According to data from Zippa, Hawaii pays the highest average annual bartender salary at $36,832. ...
  2. New Jersey. ...
  3. Washington. ...
  4. 4. California. ...
  5. New York. ...
  6. Massachusetts. ...
  7. Rhode Island. ...
  8. North Dakota.