The basics of checking ID’s are just that—pretty basic. But there is a lot to learn in order to give your bouncers and bartenders the best chance to fend off minors and keep your bar safe.
By Robert C. Smith, Nightclub Security Consultants
Get this simple fact through your skull: Nationwide, the number-one liquor control violation for liquor-licensed establishments is service of alcohol to an underage person. When I teach and talk about this (and other things) I try to get students to simply understand that if they could just do ONE THING—just one simple and routine thing—it would be to check a young person’s ID properly.
Fifteen years ago, I quickly learned that this request was much easier to talk about than it was to get employees to do. It appears too many bartenders, servers, beer tub girls, doormen—and anyone else who might be tasked with checking ID—just don’t do it.
How the hell can you stop the 20-year-old from drinking in your bar if you’re not asking for their ID? You can’t. Another excuse: “I thought someone else checked their ID already.” Again I respond: WHAT? This isn’t rocket science; it’s not even science! It is, however, simple to do and must be constantly stressed to employees. It’s one of the most important parts of their job.
Please, allow me to first give managers and owners four important points to help them succeed in getting their staff to adhere the list that follows, all of which will lead to a better system for checking ID’s.
