Who's to Blame?

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Recommended: Basic bartending

What is a bartender? Merriam Webster states it’s a person who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar. Nowhere in the definition does it say, “Attend to behavior”, or, “Watch for drunken disorder.” “Bartenders are those that fill orders of patrons at a bar itself or are given a beverage order by a waiter or a waitress that he or she will pick up and serve to the patron.” (Benson, Beth). Being a bartender takes patience, and a great deal of responsibility. A job is a job no matter what the job is. If he or she is hired for a position, he or she is obligated to do what is required of the position. Bartenders should not be held responsible for the behavior of their patrons.

Despite the fact that patron’s feel that bartenders are there to make their time enjoyable, patrons do not understand the responsibilities that bartenders have and are expected of. Some bars necessitate their bartenders to keep an eye on patrons who are noticeably drunk and count of the alcoholic beverages they serve. Lenny Deserio, reporter, of The Voice Online, interviewed bar owners concerning the situation. In Lenny’s article he stated:

Lambert then went on to say, “I have my bartenders keep a tab on how many drinks per hour a patron is having. I also have them keep an eye on their speech patterns; are they starting to slur when they talk or do they sway when they walk? These are definite signs that someone is inebriated. If someone does become intoxicated we call the police and stall the patron until the police can get here”.

When a patron is intoxicated and it is clearly visible, more than likely a bartender will provide a cab. It is left up to the patron if he or she wants to reject, or accept the offer. When a bartender gives customers drinks wi...

... middle of paper ...

...ontent. 13 Aug 2007

Web. 9 Apr 2011

Deserio, Lenny “Bartenders take law into their hands”

The Voice Online. 6 May 2009

Web. 8 Apr 2011

Flynn, Michael W. “A social Host’s Liability for Serving Alcohol”

Legal Lad. 27 Oct 2008

Web. 8 Apr 2011

Killgannon, Corey. “Death Does Not Surprise Bartenders And Patrons

New York Times. 14 Apr 2003

Web. 9 Apr 2011

Merritt, Jeralyn. “Is a Bar Liable for Serving a Drunk Patron Who Later Drives and Kills Someone?”

Criminal Law. Date unknown

Web. 7 Apr 2011

Sario, Vanessa “Should Bars/Bartenders be Held Liable for their Customers’

Behaviors as a Result of being Over-served?”

Newsvine. 20 Jan 2007

Web. 7 Apr 2011

Shaw, Jason. "Who’s to Blame?" Personal interview. 9 Apr. 2011.

Wagner, Tom. “Are bars responsible for monitoring a patron’s sobriety?”

The Gateway Online. 17 Mar 2008

Web. 7 Apr 2011

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