CA: When to cut off a customer? New CA law requires alcohol servers to take intoxication training

ABC 7 Los Angeles
By Leticia Juarez
June 14, 2022

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) — A new law goes into effect next month affecting California businesses that serve beer, wine or liquor.

Alcoholic beverage servers and managers will need to undergo mandatory training.

At Sire Bar & Grille in Riverside, bartenders serve libations to customers and keep track of tabs.

But come July 1, they’ll be required to keep an eye out for the level of the customer’s intoxication.

“The whole point is to try and get alcohol servers more aware of how to safely serve alcoholic beverages to patrons,” said Mike Brewer of Sire Bar & Grille.

Brewer is the owner of the popular lunch and dinner spot.

For the past few months, he had his employees undergo training to receive a responsible beverage service certificate from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC.