Responsible drinking: Good times, safe guests

As professional bartenders, we promote and work toward responsible alcohol consumption.

Our goal, of course, is for your guests to have an enjoyable time. We're no nannies -- our bartenders' terrific personalities always help keep the party upbeat and the good times rolling. Every party has a different personality, and some are born to be wild. We get it.

There are, however, a few policies that our L.A. bartending company insists upon. We ask that you agree to these safeguards for your guest's safety and for our mutual liability.

As the host, you ultimately are responsible for your guests. We'll keep an eye on things, and refuse alcohol service to anyone clearly intoxicated or in any way unable to drive.

When dealing with overly enthusiastic drinkers, our professional bartenders depend on their tact and years of experience. It's almost always possible to avoid disruptions when guests have to be refused service.

Here are some facts about driving under the influence:

  • In California, 75 percent of DUI cases result in convictions. The state brings legal actions both in the criminal courts and the DMV.
  • In 2007, 1,155 people in California lost their lives due to drunken drivers.
  • About a third of U.S. citizens will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point.
  • Nationwide in 2007, an estimated 12,998 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes.

If you wish, you'll be informed immediately when we decide to cut off an individual. Hosts are always advised to make arrangements for that person to get home safely. Some hosts choose to have a designated driver at the ready.

One good idea is to invest in a personal alcohol detector for use of party-goers. In California, the DMV says a driver is considered drunk when he has a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08%.

We cannot allow anyone other than our bartenders to serve drinks. Of course, it is against our policy and California law to serve anyone under 21, the legal drinking age. We ID.