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 Proposed Best Practices in Licensed Establishments
Recommendations to the Alcohol License Review Committee on
best practices at outlets to reduce the negative consequences of alcohol overconsumption
18.Feb.04
Fallout from alcohol abuse costs our community in money and human resources. The
city, working with the ALRC, can regulate best practices in alcohol venues to
create a safer environment. Below are recommendations that alcohol outlets
can use in an effort to reduce the negative consequences of alcohol over-consumption.
Eliminate late-night drink specials
Raising the price of alcoholic beverages reduces consumption. College students
have been targeted with late-night drink specials. These specials encourage students
to drink frequently and excessively. Adopt licensing standards that eliminate
late-night drink specials.
Examine advertising practices and prohibit advertising
in student papers
In a campus with a substantial population of underage students, advertising to
students encourages underage drinking. Student newspapers are often filled with
advertisements offering cheap drink specials, while more than half of the readers
of the campus papers are underage.
Rigorous ID checks during sale of alcohol
Require responsible alcohol beverage service (RBS) training
for bar owners and servers
While server training programs are tailored according to community needs, all
RBS programs are based on existing regulations that prohibit the sale of alcohol
to underage and inebriated individuals according to three key principles:
 Develop,
clarify and implement sound management policies governing alcohol outlets.
Conduct
effective management trainings.
Conduct
regular server trainings.
We suggest an RBS program that includes the following components, in addition
to the suggestions outlined above:
Manager
on premises at all times.
Eliminate
promotions, contests, and games that reward patrons with cheap or free alcohol.
Promote games that offer food as a reward.
Consider
use of ID scanners. Require training on ID checks by outlet staff. Consider working
with MATC to improve RBS training. Consider policies on standardized drink servings,
limiting sales of discounted pitchers, and other related initiatives.
Provide food service and nonalcohol beverages for patrons
Outlets should provide accessibly priced food service and nonalcohol beverages
during regular business hours. The consumption of food slows the absorption of
alcohol in the blood stream.
Provide entertainment options for college students under
the age of 21
Help to create and sustain affordable, viable, nonalcohol alternatives for all
ages. Possibilities include club-like settings that do not sell alcohol, nonalcohol
nights at venues that traditionally sell alcohol, and practices that safely allow
underage patrons admittance to shows where alcohol is served.
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