Is it illegal for bartenders to drink at work?

Asked by: Miss Faye White DVM  |  Last update: October 12, 2025
Score: 5/5 (12 votes)

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.

Are bartenders allowed to drink on the job?

The alcoholic beverage laws do not prohibit licensees or their agents or employees from drinking. However it is illegal for a drunken person to remain on licensed premises. So if a bartender became drunk the bartender could face criminal charges and the liquor license could be in jeopardy.

Are bartenders allowed to drink on the job in the UK?

It's certainly not a criminal offence for a bartender to drink, or even to be drunk, while serving alcohol. I think it's unlikely that the licensing authority would take any notice unless the drunkenness of staff led to either a failure in some duty or to a failure to prevent disorderly behaviour on the premises.

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 I get fired for drinking at work?

Yes. Your employer can legally fire you on the basis of a mistaken belief. If your employer has a zero-tolerance policy for employee alcohol use during the workday, it can fire you for violating that policy, even if the employer is mistaken about whether you consumed alcohol.

Bartenders Explain Being Drunk at Work

42 related questions found

Can you legally be drunk at work?

These regulations can vary greatly, and it's crucial to comply with the laws and guidelines that govern the specific location where one works. There are several states where drinking on the job is allowed. For example, state law permits employees to drink while on the clock in California and Colorado.

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.

How many drinks 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.

What are three rules of being a bartender?

If you want to make it, following these golden rules will be your ticket to being a great bartender.
  • Rule #1: Be Sociable. ...
  • Rule #2: Know Your Drinks. ...
  • Rule #3: Don't Mess Up. ...
  • Rule #4: Have Some Tricks Up Your Sleeve. ...
  • Rule #5: Listen and Respond. ...
  • Rule #6: Go Above And Beyond. ...
  • Conclusion.

What are the 5 P's of bartending?

"We focus on the fundamentals of training. Everything from why you shake, when you muddle, to the practicalities of the job, and what we call the five 'P's of world class service: pride, passion, preparation, professionalism and presentation.

What is the minimum wage for a bartender in the UK?

According to the latest data, the average hourly pay for a bartender in the UK in 2024 hovers between £8.66 (PayScale) to £10.86 (Indeed). These rates can increase with experience, skill level, and location, especially in areas like London where the cost of living is higher.

Can you refuse service as a bartender?

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 a good job UK?

Bartending is a sociable job with lots of room for progression, you can get creative, travel with your skills, and the hours are more flexible.

Can bartenders drink on the job UK?

There are no employment laws specifically concerning the consumption of alcohol at work.

Can I buy my bartender a shot?

My advice is that if a guest offers to buy a staff member a drink, you do this via a gift card credit. That allows the guest to show their generosity, the operation to capture the revenue, and the staff member to be properly rewarded with money to spend on food and beverage—just not while on the clock.

Can bartenders work during the day?

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.

What is rule number 1 of bartender?

Bartending Rule 1: Always Keep Your Bartop Happy

Make sure people at least get what they came for in a timely manner and that you're serving alcohol in a clean glass. Then, you can start to tailor your service for their visit. People go to the bar for all sorts of things, even to grieve.

Do 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.

What is the law for a bartender?

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.

Is it illegal for a bartender to drink while working?

But it's better to be safe than sorry. For example, if bartenders drink on the job in California, the bar's liquor license could be suspended for 15 days. If the bartender gets intoxicated? That's a 30-day suspension.

Are bartenders liable for drunk drivers?

Drunk driving is a major cause for concern on the road.

Many states have Dram Shop Laws, where the state may hold the bar responsible for serving alcohol. However, the Dram Shop Laws are different in California, and the bar may only be held liable if serving alcohol to someone under 21.

How many drinks per hour is legal?

The Facts About Beers and Blood-Alcohol Levels

A 180-lb man may be able to drink 3.5 regular 12-ounce beers in one hour and keep his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) under the legal limit of . 08%. Similarly, a 140-lb woman may be able to consume 2.5 regular beers in an hour and maintain a BAC of less than . 08%.

Will 0.5 alcohol show up in urine?

Yes. While NA beer is considered non-alcoholic in the United States if it has less than 0.5% alcohol per serving, there are trace amounts of alcohol in the beverages. There are instances of it going both undetected and detected in urine tests.

Can mouthwash make you test positive for alcohol?

Mouthwash is known to contain alcohol and certain brands of mouthwash may even result in false readings on breathalyzers. For instance, if you wash your mouth with Listerine right before a breath test, your breathalyzer result will be higher than 75 which is 9 times over the legal limit.

Will one sip of alcohol show up in urine?

When someone drinks, even relatively small amounts of alcohol, EtG is formed and can be detected in the urine.