Smart Serve for bartenders

Do bartenders need Smart Serve?

Yes. The AGCO’s training standard covers everyone involved in the sale, service or sampling of liquor. You must also be at least 18. Your licensee is responsible for making sure you’re certified, and AGCO inspectors can ask for proof at any time.

Rules you use every shift

• Hours: sell and serve from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on New Year’s Day) unless the licence says less; clear drinks within 45 minutes.
• Pours: don’t substitute one liquor for another without the guest’s okay. Flavoured or infused liquor is fine if the guest is told.
• Prices: the minimum is $2.00 for a standard beer or wine serving, taxes in, scaled for other sizes. No contests involving buying or drinking.
• Free drinks: you can buy a guest a drink at the listed price now and then (a celebration, poor service), but not as a promotion or on a schedule.
• Non-alcoholic options must be available at moderate prices.
• Intoxication: never serve anyone who is or appears intoxicated. Know the signs.
• ID: check anyone who appears under 19; Smart Serve says anyone who looks under 25. How to check ID.

Know your standard drinks

A Canadian standard drink is 17.05 mL of pure alcohol: 341 mL of 5% beer, 142 mL of 12% wine or 43 mL of 40% spirits. A double is two; a 10% craft beer is about two. More on BAC and standard drinks.

Practise

Try the full practice test or drill intoxication questions.