What is the minimum age for bartending? Most U.S. states permit adults to tend bar in on-premises venues. That is, people age 18 or older.
We show the minimum age for bartending in each state.
Overview
- Background
- Age for Bartending
- Resources
I. Background
A “bartender” is a person who dispenses alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, “server” refers to a waitperson.
On-premises venues are those selling alcohol for drinking there. That is, instead of elsewhere. Typically, they’re restaurants and bars.
In some states, adults under 21 may legally tend bar. But only in certain types of on-site places, such as restaurants.
Often, bartenders must be at least a given age. But younger employees may stock coolers with alcohol. Or clear alcohol from tables.
Some states place conditions on on-site bartenders under age 21. For example, that a supervisor 21 or older be present. Or it might require that a bartender under 21 take special training.
These may be useful.
Minimum Age to Serve Alcoholic Beverages in On-Premises Establishments.
II. The Minimum Age for Bartending in On-premises Establishments by State
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| AR | AZ | AL | |
| CO | ID | AK | |
| CT | NE | CA | |
| FL | DC | ||
| GA | District of Columbia (Wash, DC) | ||
| HI | IN (18 with restrictions) | ||
| IL | KS | ||
| IA | KY (20 with restrictions) | ||
| LA | MO | ||
| ME | MT | ||
| MD | NV | ||
| MA | NM | ||
| MI | NC | ||
| MN | ND | ||
| MS | OH | ||
| NH | OK | ||
| NJ | OR | ||
| NY | SC | ||
| PA | UT | ||
| RI | VA | ||
| SD | WA | ||
| TN | WY | ||
| TX | |||
| VT | |||
| WV | |||
| WI |
III. Resources on Bartending: Minimum Age for Bartending
These resources are about successful bartending. They give much helpful information. But they don’t deal with the minimum age for bartending.
Video
Popular Books
- Boothby, W. and Burkhart, D. Cocktail Boothby’s American Bartender.
- Broom, D. The Bartender’s Book.
- Brown, M. Bartending: How to and … What’s it Like?
- Burton, J. Bartending Basics. Everything You Need to Know to be a Working Bartender.
- Charming, C. The Everything Bartender’s Book.
- Cho, C. A Beginner’s Guide to Become a Bartender.
- Dixon, J. Bartending Made Easy.
- Feller, R. and Lifshitz, L. The Complete Bartender.
- Foley, R. Bartending for Dummies.
- Jeffreys, H. and Wylesol, G. The Cocktail Dictionary. An A-Z of Cocktail Recipes.
- Kangas, R. Making Money as a Bartender in Your Spare Time.
- Marcus, L. Bartending Inside-out.
- Matt, W. The Modern Cocktail.
- Mix, I. et al. Cócteles de América Latina.
- Morrell, T. Bartending Basics: a Complete Beginner’s Guide.
- Sennett, B. Complete World Bartender Guide.
- Sparks, B. How to Land a Top-paying Bartenders Job.
- Vancil, D. Who’s Your Bartender?
- Zavatto, A. The Complate Idiot’s Guide to Bartending.
Notes
- Do not use this site for legal info about the minimum age for bartending. Laws change. Court interpretations change. A town may have its own higher minimum age for bartending.
- This site does not give any legal advice. Please ask a lawyer for legal help.