Do I need a license to be a bartender in Illinois?
Local jurisdictions in Illinois that DO require a bartending license will likely require training based on Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training ( BASSET ). Click here to determine if your jurisdiction requires a BASSET certification.
How old do you have to be to bartend?
How Old Do You Have to be to Bartend? How Old Do You Have to be to Bartend? In the United States, different states have their own age requirement before you are allowed to bartend, but the age range is from 18-21 years old.
What skills do you need to be a bartender?
High-end hotels, bars, and four to five-star restaurants require bartenders who are capable of conversing with upmarket customers. If you think you can handle conversations about the economy, stocks, businesses, etc., these places will be a great start for your bartending career.
How to choose the right bartender for your restaurant?
Play with your strength. However, an upscale hotel, martini bar, and four-star restaurant need a bartender with maturity who can hold a conversation with their posh customers. If you are a sports fan, a sports bar is a great place to see the games and keep up with the scores.
Can you bartend at 18 in Illinois?
Q: What is the minimum age to sell/serve alcoholic liquor and can minors enter a bar? A: Both answers are subject to local jurisdictional ordinances, but, at a minimum, the seller/server must be at least 18 years of age. A minor is not allowed to sell/serve alcoholic liquor.
Do I have to be 21 to be a bartender in Illinois?
Yes, in the majority of states you can serve alcohol at 18! However, city and county ordinances may affect this. For example, in Illinois, you can serve alcohol at 18, but you need to be 21 in the city of Chicago.
Do you need a license to be a bartender in Illinois?
Illinois BASSET certification On-Premise course is required for bartenders, servers, and managers in bars and restaurants, and at events. Our Off-Premise Illinois BASSET Certification is required for employees of liquor stores or convenience stores where alcohol is sold.
Can an under 18 serve alcohol?
But the letter states: "In short, a person under 18 can sell alcohol but every sale has to be approved by the holder of a premises licence, the designated premises supervisor or any individual aged 18 or over who is authorised by such a holder or supervisor."Aug 28, 2011
Can a 20 year old go to a bar and not drink?
Nope, not generally. US laws about under-age drinking are strict. Bars and restaurants can lose their liquor licenses if caught serving minors, so most are really good about checking ID at the door and not allowing anyone under 21 in the door. Minors can go into restaurants that have bars though.
What do I need to bartend in Illinois?
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission requires bartenders to complete a beverage alcohol sellers and servers education and training program before they can work as a bartender. Meet the minimum age requirement of 21. If under 21, you cannot sell alcohol in the state of Illinois. Enroll in a bartending school.Sep 26, 2017
How can I be a bartender?
How to become a bartenderEarn a high school diploma. While a college degree isn't required to become a bartender, you should have a high school diploma or GED. ... Attend bartending school. ... Gain experience and work your way up. ... Work as a barback. ... Practice your skills.Aug 11, 2021
Can a bartender drink while working in Illinois?
"Sellers/servers may drink while on duty, but no intoxicated person may remain on the premises, so an impaired server could be arrested."Mar 19, 2022
The Legal Age To Serve Alcohol in Every State
Finding out the legal age to serve alcohol in your state can get confusing… So we’ve made it simple. And instead of copying some bogus chart found online, we personally reached out to every state in the U.S to find out the exact minimum age restrictions and regulations for bartenders.
Minimum Ages for On-Premises Servers and Bartenders
Policies on a Specific Date: Minimum Ages for On-Premises Servers and Bartenders Use the Filter and Sort options to view the available data according to your needs and preferences. Use the Download menu to download the policy information as a CSV or formatted PDF file
How old do you have to be to work as a bar back?
Click to see full answer Similarly, it is asked, do you have to be 21 to be a bar back? Barbacks are often hired with no experience. Make sure to check your local alcohol serving laws before hiring a new barback.While the legal drinking age is 21 in the United States, barbacks and even bartenders can be under 21 depending on your state's on-premise alcohol serving laws.
Bartending Age: How Old Does A Bartender Have to Be?
What Can I Expect from a Bartending Class? Bartending does not only require you to memorize how to mix drinks. There are also other aspects to bartending before you can get in such as having knowledge in the variety of wines, beers, spirits, liquors, human relations, up-selling, alcohol awareness, etc.
Remember These Alcohol Laws when Hosting a Party
Published in Business First of Louisville | July 11, 2014. Before you throw your next big party in Kentucky, here are a few things to consider. Private parties • If you host a private party at your house or some other unlicensed private premises and no admission tickets are sold, you, as the host, may provide free alcoholic drinks to your guests so long as the party is located in wet territory.
What are the rules about kids in bars? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums
United States - What are the rules about kids in bars? - I'm a little shakey on what's allowed and what isn't in the US. We once took my daughter, then 10, to see Ahmad Jamahl at the Iridium (she ...
How old do you have to be to be a bartender?
In the United States, different states have their own age requirement how old do you have to be to be a bartender, but the age range is from 18-21 years old. Some states also require alcohol awareness training (this is different from getting a bartending license) that you can take when you start working.
What Can I Expect from a Bartending Class?
Bartending does not only require you to memorize how to mix drinks. There are also other aspects to bartending before you can get in such as having knowledge in the variety of wines, beers, spirits, liquors, human relations, up-selling, alcohol awareness, etc.
Do bars require bartenders?
Of course not . High-end hotels, bars, and four to five-star restaurants require bartenders who are capable of conversing with upmarket customers. If you think you can handle conversations about the economy, stocks, businesses, etc., these places will be a great start for your bartending career.
Illinois BASSET Certification
Local jurisdictions in Illinois that DO require a bartending license will likely require training based on Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training ( BASSET ). Click here to determine if your jurisdiction requires a BASSET certification.
Online Training Providers
If your jurisdiction allows for online testing, we recommend the tests provided by either Serving Alcohol or Learn2Serve. Their courses provide you with the necessary knowledge and techniques needed to be a responsible seller/server of alcohol at the lowest price available.
On-Premise VS. Off-Premise
What’s the difference? Simply put, On-Premise refers to those who serve alcohol in an establishment such as a bartender or waiter. Off-Premise refers to those who sell alcohol but not serve it such as a liquor store or gas station.
How old do you have to be to bartender?
The majority of states in the U.S. permit adults age 18 to 20 to tend bar in on-premises establishments. Below is the minimum age for bartending in each U.S. state.
What is a bartender and a server?
Generally the term “bartender” refers to a person who dispenses alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, “ server ” refers to a waitperson.
Can you be a bartender under 21?
In some states, adults under 21 may legally tend bar. But only in certain types of on-premises establishments, such as restaurants. In some cases, bartenders must be at least a specified age. But younger employees may stock coolers with alcohol or clear alcoholic beverages from tables.
How old do you have to be a bartender in every US state?
The minimum bartending age requirement in the United States is different for every state, but the age range is from ages 18 to 21. The table below shows you how old you have to be – at a minimum – to be a bartender in each state.
How long does it take to get a bartender license?
It teaches you everything you need to know to responsibly handle, prepare, and serve alcohol within lawful limits. The whole course only takes 4 hours or less to complete.
What is the job of a bartender?
A good bartender knows how to competently juggle between relaying orders, mixing drinks, and striking up conversation with customers. To be able to do so requires not just being quick on one’s feet but also applying excellent communication skills.
What age can you serve alcohol?
Keep in mind that even when your state allows you to serve alcohol at age 18, businesses can set their own hiring qualifications and require bartenders to be at least of legal drinking age. Hiring someone under age 21 is simply seen as a huge risk given the nature of the job.
How old do you have to be to work at a bar?
Each state appoints its own authorized agency to regulate laws pertaining to the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol within its borders. That is why even though the national legal drinking age in the US is 21, in some states, individuals who are 18 years of age can legally work behind the bar.
Can you serve alcohol under 21?
In some cases, certain conditions must be in place for a person under 21 to be able to legally serve alcohol. A typical rule is to have supervising personnel oversee your work. Or, the establishment itself may require you to undergo alcohol awareness training.
Can you mix drinks at any age?
Anybody can learn how to mix drinks at any age; it’s often personality that counts. So, if you enjoy working in a sociable environment, being a professional bartender can be rewarding in surprising ways.
How old do you have to be to sell liquor in Illinois?
A: Both answers are subject to local jurisdictional ordinances, but, at a minimum, the seller/server must be at least 18 years of age. A minor is not allowed to sell/serve alcoholic liquor. Illinois Liquor Control Commission Rules & Regulations (Section 100.10) define a "minor" as a person under 18 years of age ...
How old do you have to be to drink in Chicago?
In Chicago, for example, you must be 21 to sell/serve alcohol and those under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter a bar/tavern. Some other local jurisdictions allow all ages to enter, regardless of whether they are with a parent or legal guardian. Other municipalities have ordinances specifying different ages ...
What happens if a distributor does not apply the liquor control charge?
If the distributor does not uniformly apply these charges, then in situations in which the charge is not applied or appropriately collected, the retailer may have committed a violation of Section 6-5 of the Liquor Control Act and the distributor may have committed a violation of Section 6-6 of the Liquor Control Act.
What is the Illinois liquor warning sign?
A: All liquor retailers must post a government warning sign (alerting patrons to the dangers of drinking while pregnant) along with their liquor license and Illinois Business Tax (IBT) certificate. All signage must be framed and posted in a conspicuous place within the premises, such as behind the bar or at the point-of-sale. Other signage (including a “Proof of Age” sign and local liquor license) may also be required by your local jurisdictional authority. Please visit our Alcohol Retailer Licensee Informational Packet page to order the above mentioned signage. Additionally, some on-premise liquor retailers are required to prohibit firearms in their establishment (visit the Illinois State Police's Concealed Carry Signage Requirements web page) and post a human trafficking notice (visit the Illinois Dept. of Human Services' Human Trafficking Resource Center Notice Act web page).
What is the liquor control act in Illinois?
However, the Illinois Liquor Control Act (235 ILCS 5/6-16, 235 ILCS 5/6-16.2, and ILCS 5/4-1) allows local jurisdictional control over this matter as well as the age allowed to enter a bar/tavern (restaurants that serve alcohol are exempt from this law). In Chicago, for example, you must be 21 to sell/serve alcohol and those under 21 years ...
Do you need a liquor license to sell alcohol?
A: No, a liquor license is ALWAYS required when selling alcoholic beverages. Please note, a private function is an event where attendance is by invitation only, the host controls access to the premises, and alcoholic beverages are provided to invited guests at NO CHARGE. In other words, a wedding would qualify under this exception as long as the liquor being served is not sold to the wedding guests.
Can you deliver liquor on premises?
A: If you have an off-premise or a combined (on/off premise) liquor license, you can offer liquor delivery sales through your business. However, please note the following: Your local jurisdiction must allow this activity, you must have safeguards in place to ensure those accepting the product are over the age of 21 years, and you cannot accept payment or orders at the delivery location.

Online Training Providers
- If your jurisdiction allows for online testing, we recommend the tests provided by either Serving Alcohol or Learn2Serve. Their courses provide you with the necessary knowledge and techniques needed to be a responsible seller/server of alcohol at the lowest price available. 1. Click here to learn more aboutServing Alcohol‘s online BASSET Certificat...
On-Premise vs. Off-Premise
- What’s the difference? Simply put, On-Premise refers to those who serve alcohol in an establishment such as a bartender or waiter. Off-Premiserefers to those who sell alcohol but not serve it such as a liquor store or gas station. If your local jurisdiction does require BASSET training in order to serve alcohol, you may be required to go to a training course at a certified loc…
Basset Certification Information
- The BASSET program is a 4-hour course that consists of, but is not limited to: 1. Spotting signs of intoxication and utilizing intervention techniques 2. Preventing DUI’s and alcohol related fatalities 3. Stopping underage sales and underage drinking 4. Understanding state laws and your local ordinances Additional Resources: 1. Local liquor-related ordinancesin Illinois