Can Bartenders Be Held Liable?

A bar may be liable for over-serving if a bartender continues to serve drinks to a patron who is very clearly intoxicated to the point that he or she may be a danger to themselves or others.

Are bartenders responsible?

Although drivers are ultimately responsible for their choice to get in a car and drive, bartenders do have a responsibility to monitor the consumption of their customers. Businesses that serve alcohol are legally obligated to be aware of how much their patrons are drinking, and stop serving them if they drink too much.

What is the liability of a person who serves too much alcohol to an individual who is then involved in a drunk driving accident?

“Social host liability” refers to a party host—who serves alcohol—being held legally responsible for the actions of intoxicated guests. Questions about social host liability often come up in cases involving DUI accidents.