This policy topic is included in the APIS Highlight on Underage Drinking section.  The Highlight's overview of underage drinking policy in the United States provides additional context that may be helpful in understanding this policy topic. State-by-State summaries of eleven underage drinking policy topics are available in the State Profiles of Underage Drinking Laws section.  Maps and charts for all of these policy topics are collected on a single page to provide a more comprehensive graphical overview of underage policies.

Policy Description

State laws specify a minimum age for employees who serve or dispense alcoholic beverages in on-premises establishments.  Generally, the term "servers" is used to refer to waitpersons, while the term "sellers" is sometimes used to refer to bartenders.  "Bartender" refers to an individual who dispenses alcoholic beverages.  In some States, the minimum age for servers or bartenders is 21.   In many States, however, on-premises servers may be younger than 21. 

Several States place conditions on on-premises servers and bartenders under 21 years of age. These include requirements that a legal-age manager or supervisor be present when the underage person is serving alcoholic beverages or tending bar.

Email a link to this page: http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/Ages-OnPremises