Checklist template

Responsible alcohol service for restaurants

A ready-to-use checklist with 112 items in 6 sections, covering Server certification, ID checks, Refusal of service, Service limits, Incident log, Signage. Use it as-is in InspectLoop, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 112 Items
  • 96 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 126 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Server certification 18 items

  1. Every server, bartender and manager who serves alcohol holds the responsible service certificate required by local regulation or company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Copies of the certificates are kept on site Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Employees serving alcohol on today's schedule Number
  4. Of those, employees without a valid certificate Number
  5. Earliest expiry date among the certificates on file Date
  6. Every certificate expiring within 30 days has a renewal course booked Yes / No 1 pt
  7. New employees are certified before their first shift serving alcohol, or within the period local regulation allows Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Hosts, bussers and food runners who carry drinks to tables are certified where local regulation requires it Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Door and security staff hold the certification required by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Every employee who serves alcohol is of the minimum serving age set by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The liquor license is current Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Expiry date of the liquor license Date
  13. The manager on duty could state the license conditions (hours of service, licensed areas, capacity) Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Each employee has signed the written house alcohol policy Yes / No 1 pt
  15. A pre-shift meeting in the last 30 days covered the house alcohol policy Yes / No 1 pt
  16. A certified manager is on duty during all hours of alcohol service Yes / No 1 pt
  17. The certificates of temporary bartenders are checked before banquets and private events Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Certification of the employees serving alcohol Rating
    • All certified and on file 5 pts
    • All certified, some copies missing 3 pts
    • Uncertified employees serving 1 pt

2. ID checks 20 items

  1. The house policy states the apparent age under which every guest must be asked for ID Yes / No 1 pt
  2. A server asked during the visit could state that apparent age Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The list of accepted forms of ID is posted at the bar and at the server station Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Servers take the ID in hand to check the photo, the date of birth and the expiry date Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Expired ID is not accepted Yes / No 1 pt
  6. A current ID checking guide or an ID scanner is available at the bar Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Where an ID scanner is used, it read an ID correctly when tested during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  8. A calendar or sign at the bar shows today's "born on or before" date Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Each guest who will drink is checked when one guest orders a round, a pitcher or a bottle for the table Yes / No 1 pt
  10. A server seen during the visit asked for ID from a guest who appeared under the policy age Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Servers asked said they would refuse the sale and tell the manager when an ID looks altered or fake Yes / No 1 pt
  12. A second piece of ID is requested when the first is in doubt Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A guest without ID is refused alcohol even when others at the table vouch for their age Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Guests moving from the dining room to the bar are checked again unless already identified by a wristband or stamp Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Where alcohol to go is allowed, ID is checked at the handover of takeout and delivery orders Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The result of the last mystery shop or compliance check is on file Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Date of the last mystery shop or compliance check Date
  18. The last mystery shop or compliance check was passed Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Employees who failed an ID check were retrained, with a record Yes / No 1 pt
  20. ID checking observed during the visit Rating
    • Every guest who appeared under the policy age was asked 5 pts
    • Some were asked 3 pts
    • Guests who appeared under the policy age were served without being asked 1 pt

3. Refusal of service 18 items

  1. A server asked could name signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, unsteady walking, drowsiness and spilled drinks Yes / No 1 pt
  2. No guest showing signs of intoxication was served alcohol during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Guests who arrive visibly intoxicated are not served alcohol Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Servers tell the manager on duty when they refuse or stop service Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Servers asked said managers back their decision to stop service Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Service is refused quietly and away from other guests, using the wording of the house policy Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The bartender and the other servers are told when a guest has been cut off Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The guest's tab is flagged in the point-of-sale system when service is stopped Yes / No 1 pt
  9. A guest who has been cut off is offered water, food or a non-alcoholic drink Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Companions are not allowed to order alcohol for a guest who has been cut off Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Taxi and rideshare options are offered to a guest who should not drive Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Staff asked knew to call the police when an intoxicated guest insists on driving, as the house policy states Yes / No 1 pt
  13. An intoxicated guest is not asked to leave alone without a safe way home Yes / No 1 pt
  14. An adult ordering alcohol for a minor at the table is refused Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Employees do not drink alcohol during their shift Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Drinks for employees after their shift follow the house policy Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Staff asked knew when to call a manager, security or the police to handle a confrontation Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Confidence of the employees questioned about refusing service Rating
    • Clear on when and how to refuse 5 pts
    • Hesitant or unsure of the steps 3 pts
    • Would keep serving 1 pt

4. Service limits 20 items

  1. The house policy sets the maximum number of drinks served to one guest at one time Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Last call is announced at the time set by the house policy Yes / No 1 pt
  3. No alcohol is served after the hours allowed by the license Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Drinks are cleared from tables by the time the license requires Yes / No 1 pt
  5. A double is served only at the guest's request and is counted as 2 drinks on the tab Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Cocktail recipe cards state the measure of alcohol in each drink Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Servers do not top up wine glasses from a table's bottle unless the guest asks Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The number of glasses sent with a pitcher or bottle matches the number of guests of legal age at the table Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No promotion encourages rapid or excessive drinking, such as unlimited drinks or drinking games Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Today's drink specials stay within the discount and happy hour rules written in the house policy Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Food is available during all hours of alcohol service Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Water is brought to the table with alcohol without the guest asking Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The menu lists non-alcoholic drinks other than soft drinks Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Servers keep count of the drinks served to each guest on the tab Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The drink count of each table is handed over when a server ends a shift Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Guests do not bring their own alcohol unless the license permits it Yes / No 1 pt
  17. No guest leaves the premises with an open drink Yes / No 1 pt
  18. No guest was seen carrying alcohol outside the licensed area during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  19. The bar and the patio are within their licensed capacity at the time of the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Pacing of alcohol service observed during the visit Rating
    • Drinks counted, with water or food offered between rounds 5 pts
    • Drinks counted but rounds served without pause 3 pts
    • No count kept of drinks served 1 pt

5. Incident log 19 items

  1. An alcohol incident log is kept at the bar or in the manager's office Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The log has entries for refusals, guests cut off, suspected fake IDs, fights, injuries and police visits Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Each entry records the date, the time, a description of the guest and what happened Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Each entry names the employees involved and any witnesses Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Entries are written during the shift when the incident happened Yes / No 1 pt
  6. A manager signs each entry Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Entries in the incident log in the last 30 days Number
  8. Date of the most recent entry in the incident log Date
  9. The log shows at least one refusal or cut-off in the last 30 days, or the manager could explain why there is none Yes / No 1 pt
  10. ID kept from a guest is handled as local regulation states and noted in the log Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Serious incidents are reported to head office within the time set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Video of a serious incident is saved before the recorder overwrites it Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Cameras covering the bar and the entrance are recording Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The incident log is kept for the retention period set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The general manager reviews the log every month and initials it Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Reports of visits by the liquor regulator or the police are kept on file Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Violations or warnings from the liquor regulator in the last 12 months Number
  18. Each violation or warning of the last 12 months has a documented corrective action Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Quality of the incident log Rating
    • Complete and current 5 pts
    • Kept but with thin or late entries 3 pts
    • Not kept 1 pt

6. Signage 17 items

  1. The liquor license is posted where guests can see it, as local regulation requires Yes / No 1 pt
  2. A sign at the entrance or the bar states that ID will be requested Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The warning signs required by local regulation (for example on drinking during pregnancy or on impaired driving) are posted Yes / No 1 pt
  4. A sign marks the point on the patio beyond which alcohol may not be taken Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The occupancy limit is posted Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Taxi or rideshare information is displayed near the exit Yes / No 1 pt
  7. A sign states the establishment's right to refuse service Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Required signs are legible and not hidden by promotions or decor Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Required signs are in the languages local regulation requires Yes / No 1 pt
  10. A chart of the signs of intoxication is posted in a staff area or behind the bar Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Table tents and chalkboards advertising drinks follow the house policy and local advertising rules Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The drink menu states the pour size of wine and spirits Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The drink menu states the alcohol content of strong beers and high-alcohol cocktails Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Where alcohol to go is sold, its rules are posted at the pickup point Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Name of the manager on duty Short text
  16. Overall control of alcohol service Rating
    • Staff certified, IDs checked and refusals logged 5 pts
    • Rules known but ID checks or log entries missed 3 pts
    • Minors or intoxicated guests likely to be served 1 pt
  17. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the InspectLoop template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In InspectLoop you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

Categories

Related templates

← All templates

Brand standards

At every site, every time

Start Free Contact us