SAMPLE HOUSE POLICIES
These sample House Policies are meant to cover the most common risk factors for a licensed
establishment. Each establishment should take the time and care to go over its own specific risk
factors with it’s insurance company and/or legal counsel to ensure that all risk factors are
covered.
Successful due diligence requires the cooperation, coordination and communication of all staff
members in your establishment. Developing and implementing a clear and concise house policy
is an essential step towards training and supporting your staff in your common goal to ensure due
diligence is met.
Our Hours of Service Are: ___________________
Last Call is at: _________________
Our Licensed Capacity is: ____________
Policy
Minors:
No one under the age
of 19 will be allowed
or will be served
alcohol on the
premises.
Who Will
Enforce
 All Staff
Entry of Intoxicated
Patrons:
Intoxicated patrons
will not be permitted
entry to the premises.
 Doorperson
 Host
 Manager
 Supervisor
Staffing & Door
Monitoring:
At no time will the
number of patrons in
the establishment
exceed the legal
capacity. The number
of staff on duty must
be appropriate for the
number of patrons
present.
 Doorperson
 Host
 Manager
 Supervisor
Methods of Enforcement
 Provide a well lit area for staff to check ID
 Ask for 2 pieces of ID from anyone who looks under the
age of 19
 Management will post signs at the entrance stating that the
establishment will request 2 pieces of ID from anyone who
looks under 19 years of age
 Provide samples of ID or an ID checking guide for staff to
compare acceptable forms such as valid driver’s license,
passport, or B.C. Identification Card
 Check for alterations to ID by feeling and observing – use
a flashlight from behind
 Compare signature of patron to the signature on the ID
 Ask astrological sign. People memorize false birthdates
but often will not know the corresponding zodiac sign
 Ask the patron to leave if you suspect the ID is invalid or
false. Be polite but authoritative and speak to them
privately or discreetly
 Watch for customers buying liquor for minors
 Greet guests when they enter the premises
 Assess whether they have been drinking prior to arriving,
and if so, their level of intoxication
 Identify and brief a back-up co-worker to support you if a
guest must be refused entry
 Refuse entry to guests showing signs of intoxication. Be
polite but authoritative and speak to them privately or
discreetly
 Advise that it is against the law to provide service
 Avoid any confrontation, either verbal or physical
 If necessary, call a manager for support
 Doorperson keeps a count of the number of patrons
entering and exiting the bar (preferably mechanically)
 If no doorperson, protocols are in place to monitor capacity
& during busy time head counts are frequently completed
 The number of patrons in the establishment must be
monitored constantly to ensure safe numbers are
maintained
 There must be enough staff on duty to provide service in a
reasonable time frame
 Our licensed capacity is: ________
SAMPLE HOUSE POLICIES
Intoxicated Patrons:
Intoxicated patrons
will not be served or
permitted to remain on
the premises.
 All Staff
Incident Reporting:
Employees must
report any incident
involving harassment,
violence or
intoxication.
 All Staff
Last Call
Procedures:
Liquor may only be
sold during the hours
noted on the license.
 All Staff
Refusal of Service:
The establishment
reserves the right to
refuse service based
on their house policy.
 All Staff
Dealing With
Violence:
Employees must
ensure that they and
other guests are not in
danger prior to any
further action.
Only Liquor
Purchased In This
Establishment Can
Be Consumed Here:
Dispensing Liquor:
 All Staff
 All Staff
 All Staff
 Assess patrons throughout their stay for signs of
intoxication
 Identify and brief a back-up co-worker to support you if a
guest must be denied service and asked to leave
 Refuse service to guests showing signs of intoxication. Be
polite but authoritative and speak to them privately or
discreetly
 Remove all bottle or glasses of liquor from the customer at
the table or counter
 Advise that it is against the law to provide service, and that
they must leave
 Advise that it is for their own safety and well-being that you
are taking this action
 Enlist the support of their friends in asking them to leave
 Avoid any confrontation, either verbal or physical
 If necessary, call a manager for support and do not wait for
the situation to get out of control
 All employees are trained in specifics constituting an
incident
 Employees record the incident in a log book as soon as
possible following the incident on a template provided in
the back of the log book
 A manager must sign off on completed incident report
 All staff are to read and sign off on the log book at the
beginning of each shit
 All patrons must leave the establishment 30 minutes after
service ends
 No patrons may enter once last call has been announced
 Last call must be announced by an audible voice or signal
prior to the completion of liquor service
 The time frame for last call must be given with the
announcement
 No alcohol leaves the premises
 No large quantities will be sold to patrons at last call
 Guests who are intoxicated or nearing intoxication may be
refused service
 Guests who display inappropriate or rude behavior to staff
or other patrons may be refused service
 Guests who exhibit inappropriate dress or hygiene may be
refused service
 Do not allow trouble makers to re-enter within 24 hours of
being asked to leave
 Contact police with difficult or dangerous situations
 Train staff to recognize body language and signs and to
take action before situations get out of control and resort to
violence
 Watch for illegal drinks: personal water bottles, flasks,
unmarked bottles, bottles of a brand not sold in the
establishment
 Do not sell unopened bottles
 Liquor must be dispensed from the original container
 Liquor must be dispensed in full view of the patron
 Unopened bottles must not be sold
SAMPLE HOUSE POLICIES
Provision of
Alternative
Beverages:
Non-alcoholic
beverages will be
provided and offered
to patrons who choose
not to consume
alcohol or who have
stated they are a
designated driver.
Alternative
Transportation:
Contact numbers and
information for
alternative
transportation options
are posted in the
establishment
Training of Staff:
All staff are trained
appropriately in their
positions and kept
informed of industry
changes
 Server
 Bartender
 Non-alcoholic beverages such as juice, pop, coffee and
water at a reasonable price
 We have tasty & interesting non-alcoholic options
 Promote consumption of non-alcoholic beverages
 We have & promote a Designated Driver program
 All Staff
 Numbers for taxis and other sober driving options such as
Keys Please, Operation Red Nose will be posted in
conspicuous locations
 House phone may be used under supervision to contact
safe and alternative transportation options
 Options for our establishment are: _____________
 Owner
 Manager
Consumption While
Working:
 All Staff
 All staff must have Serving It Right certificates, it is a
condition of employment
 All staff are provided with a copy of the house policies
 Staff are informed of industry changes at regular staff
meetings
 New staff are trained by management and have assistance
available for first few shifts
 Staff receive ongoing training and evaluation to ensure
their level of service is appropriate
 Have a training manual for employees to refer to
 Ensure staff have read and signed off on house policies
 Regular staff meetings
 Ensure staff communicate amongst each other throughout
the night and share information to prevent over service,
especially during shift changes
 Ensure staff are trained with appropriate language to deny
entry, refuse service and remove patrons as well as to
recognize the signs of violent body language and take
control before situations escalate
 Consumption of alcohol is prohibited while on shift
 Failure to comply will not be tolerated and will result in
termination
Staff Image:
 All Staff
 All staff will comply with the dress code at all times
 Staff will conduct themselves in a professional manner
 Harassment of other staff members or patrons will not be
tolerated
 Display a positive attitude while at work
Designated Driver
Program:
 All Staff
 We offer a Designated Driver (DD) program to those who
have stated they are the designated driver
 DDs are entitled to free fountain beverages provided they
are not consuming any alcohol over the course of their stay
You may want to have a ‘House Rules & Policies Acknowledgement’ form for each employee to
sign acknowledging that they have read, understood and agree to the House Rules & Policies for
your establishment. This should be kept in the employees file along with a copy of their Serving It
Right certificate and any other pertinent information.
SAMPLE HOUSE POLICIES
House Polices Acknowledgement
This form must be completed by all new employees prior to starting their first shift.
I, ____________________ confirm that I have received, read and clearly understand the house
policies of _____________________.
I further understand that I am responsible for ensuring that I comply with these house policies
while I am employed by _____________________________.
I acknowledge that breach of these policies may result discipline and/or termination should my
actions warrant such cause.
_____________________
Employee Signature
______________________
Date
SIR # ________________
I ___________________________ have reviewed the House Policies in full with the above
named employee.
_____________________
Manager Signature
______________________
Date
This page is to be placed in the employee HR file with a copy of their Serving It Right Certificate.