15 Signs of Intoxication –
How to Tell When Someone is Drunk
As a bartender, you need to know the signs of intoxication because it’s your legal responsibility to do so. And even if you live in a country where you, as the bartender, have no legal obligation for the care and safety of your guests, you have a moral responsibility to learn these 15 signs of intoxication and to know whether it’s safe to serve your guest another drink or if they should be politely and professionally cut off from drinking.
Top 15 Signs of Visible Intoxication:
- Slurred speech
- Swaying, staggering or stumbling
- Drinking too fast
- Over-generous with money
- Crude or inappropriate behaviour towards others
- Extreme or sudden change in behaviour
- Overly loud, boisterous, animated or entertaining
- Nodding off at the table or bar
- Rambling train of thought
- Slow response to questions
- Spilling drinks or can’t find their mouth with the glass
- Bravado or boasting
- Overly friendly to staff or other guests
- Mussed hair or disheveled clothing
- Crying, moody, overly depressed or sullen
As a bartender, you should always be aware of how much alcohol your guests have consumed – both before they arrived at your bar and while they are there. Obviously, you’re not going to get factual information from asking the inebriated individual, so you need to know what signs to look for so you can tell their level of intoxication.
There are more than these 15 signs of intoxication but if you can’t tell using these 15 clues, you’re likely the one who’s intoxicated!
