Can Obviously Intoxicated Patrons Still Easily Buy Alcohol at On-Premise Establishments?

Abstract

Background Excessive alcohol consumption at licensed alcohol establishments (i.e., bars and restaurants) has been directly linked to alcohol-related problems such as traffic crashes and violence. Historically, alcohol establishments have had a high likelihood of selling alcohol to obviously intoxicated patrons (also referred to as “overservice”) despite laws prohibiting these sales. Given the risks associated with overservice and the need for up-to-date data, it is critical that we monitor the likelihood of sales to obviously intoxicated patrons. Methods To assess the current likelihood of a licensed alcohol establishment selling alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron, we conducted pseudo-intoxicated purchase attempts (i.e., actors attempt to purchase alcohol while acting out obvious signs of intoxication) at 340 establishments in one Midwestern metropolitan area. We also measured characteristics of the establishments, the pseudo-intoxicated patrons, the servers, the managers, and the neighborhoods to assess whether these characteristics were associated with likelihood of sales of obviously intoxicated patrons. We assessed these associations with bivariate and multivariate regression models. Results Pseudo-intoxicated buyers were able to purchase alcohol at 82% of the establishments. In the fully adjusted multivariate regression model, only one of the characteristics we assessed was significantly associated with likelihood of selling to intoxicated patrons–establishments owned by a corporate entity had 3.6 greater odds of selling alcohol to a pseudo-intoxicated buyer compared to independently-owned establishments. Discussion Given the risks associated with overservice of alcohol, more resources should be devoted first to identify effective interventions for decreasing overservice of alcohol and then to educate practitioners who are working in their communities to address this public health problem.

Overserving and Allowed Entry of Obviously Alcohol‐Intoxicated Spectators at Sporting Events

“…In their study of alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated patrons at sport stadiums, Toomey and colleagues () did not find this variable to be associated with alcohol service denial rates. However, in a more recent study by Toomey and colleagues (), investigating alcohol service to obviously intoxicated patrons at on‐premise establishments, this variable was significantly associated with alcohol sales.…”

“…This is similar to a U.S. study demonstrating a service denial rate of 26% to obviously intoxicated actors at professional sports stadiums (Toomey et al., ), and also a Finnish study of licensed premises where the denial rate of alcohol purchase was 23% (Warpenius et al., ). Other research published during recent years from licensed premises in the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, and the Netherlands has demonstrated a somewhat lower alcohol service denial rate of 14 to 18% (Buvik and Rossow, ; Gosselt et al., ; Hughes et al., ; Toomey et al., ). With regard to arena entrances, Gosselt and colleagues (2013) found a 10% rate of denied entry into bars for obviously intoxicated guests, which is in line with the results in the current study (11%).…”

“…In order to develop efficient intervention strategies (Buvik and Rossow, ; Wallin et al., , ; Warpenius et al., ), it is of utmost importance to have knowledge about factors that influence the level of intoxication. For instance, with regard to alcohol intoxication levels among spectators at SPFL, key factors are the level of alcohol overserving at licensed premises both inside and outside arenas, and the level of allowed entry of intoxicated spectators to arenas (Kingsland et al., ,; Lyne and Galloway, ; Toomey et al., ). However, more knowledge is needed about such factors.…”

“…For this purpose, we have used a methodology where trained actors act out a standardized scene of obvious alcohol intoxication while attempting to purchase alcohol. This methodology is the most widely used, reliable, and time‐efficient with regard to studying serving and security/entry staff behavior and intervention rates toward obviously intoxicated patrons (Buvik and Rossow, ; Gliksman et al., ; Gosselt et al., ; Gripenberg et al., ; Gripenberg‐Abdon et al., ; Hughes et al., ; Rydon et al., ; Toomey et al., ; Wallin et al., , ). Moreover, the methodology has successfully been used to assess overserving at sport stadiums in the United States hosting professional hockey, basketball, baseball, and American football events (Toomey et al., ).…”

Changes in alcohol policies and practices in bars and restaurants after completion of manager‐focused responsible service training

“…Irresponsible and illegal alcohol service practices at bars and restaurants can lead to public health harms such as impaired driving and violence . Alcohol sales to intoxicated patrons are a particularly common type of illegal serving practice in both the USA and other countries . Few strategies and interventions have been identified to address these illegal sales and related practices at bars and restaurants.…”