The holiday season brings festive crowds and good cheer to bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, it can also lead to overindulgence. For bartenders, knowing when cutting off guests is needed. On top of that, knowing how to do so politely in order to deescalate a situation is vital. Here’s how to handle these situations professionally and safely while protecting yourself and your business.
Spot the Signs of Intoxication
Before cutting someone off, recognize the warning signs: slurred speech, aggressive behavior, difficulty standing or walking and loud or disruptive actions. Addressing these issues promptly helps maintain a safe environment for all guests.
Politely Cutting off Guests
Cutting someone off doesn’t have to lead to conflict. Infact, we hope it doesnt. The entire purpose of cutting off a guest is to deescalate a potentially dangerous situation. Here are ways to approach a guest respectfully:
Use a Calm Tone:
Example: “Hey, it looks like you’ve had enough for now. Can I get you some water or a snack?”
Shift the Focus:
Example: “I want to make sure you’re safe to enjoy the rest of your night. Let’s take a break from drinks for now.”
Blame Policy if Needed:
Example: “It’s our policy to limit drinks when someone appears too intoxicated. Thanks for understanding.”
Handling Guests Who Refuse to Leave
Sometimes, cutting someone off isn’t enough, and asking them to leave becomes necessary. Remeber, you are the bartender and/or server, what you say go’s. If you have decided it is time for someone to leave, they must listen to your demands. Its important to handle this with care. Again, the point is to deescalate the situation and not make it worse. Here’s how best to do it:
Stay Professional:
Example: “I’m sorry, but we need to ask you to leave for the safety of everyone here.”
Offer Assistance:
Example: “Can I call you a cab or rideshare to help you get home safely?”
Involve Security if Needed:
If the guest becomes combative, involve a manager or security staff to de-escalate the situation.
Write an Incident Report
After any incident, it is imperative to document it properly. The way to do this is through an incident report. Your work should
require each disturbance to be carefully documneted. This is to help protect the establishment and YOU! Make sure you include all of the below in an incident report:
Date and time of the incident
Guest’s behavior and signs of intoxication
Actions taken by staff
Names of witnesses
Accurate records protect your business and demonstrate responsible practices.
Stay Certified and Prepared
Cutting off guests and managing conflicts is easier with proper training. Certification in seller server training gives bartenders the tools to handle these situations with confidence. You can get certified online at ComedySellerServer.com to ensure you’re ready for any challenge the holiday season brings. Comedy Seller Server provides fun and engaging online seller server certification courses. With a focus on safety and professionalism, our training ensures you’re equipped to handle any situation behind the bar. Visit our website to get started today!
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