What is the standard for determining if a customer is intoxicated?

The standard for determining if a customer is intoxicated is based on visible intoxication. This means that servers should be observant and look for physical signs or behaviors that indicate a customer has consumed alcohol excessively. Visible intoxication may include characteristics such as slurred speech, unsteady movement, difficulty balancing, impaired judgment, or overly aggressive or overly friendly behavior.

By focusing on visible signs, servers can make more accurate judgments about a customer’s level of intoxication rather than relying solely on specific measurable factors like blood alcohol content. This approach also emphasizes the importance of the server's role in responsible alcohol service and their responsibility to ensure the safety of patrons and the overall environment of the establishment.

While blood alcohol levels can provide clear measurements of intoxication, they are not always readily available during service, and relying on a customer's behavior and appearance is more practical in a real-world setting. This makes visible intoxication a crucial guideline for servers to follow.