TAM Special Event Alcohol Service 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At a special event with a cash bar, a guest hands you a $50 bill and asks you to 'keep the drinks coming' for his table. What should you do?
- Accept the money and serve drinks as requested throughout the night
- Decline and explain that each drink must be ordered and assessed individually (Correct answer)
- Accept the money but only serve two drinks per person
- Ask a manager to hold the money and serve unlimited drinks
Correct answer: Decline and explain that each drink must be ordered and assessed individually
Pre-payment for unlimited drinks removes the server's ability to monitor and manage individual consumption, which is required under TAM principles.
Question 2: An outdoor festival venue has set up a beer garden with multiple entry points. Which staffing strategy best controls alcohol service?
- Post staff only at the main entrance to check IDs
- Station servers inside the beer garden and check IDs at all entry points (Correct answer)
- Allow self-service to reduce crowding at entry points
- Rely on wristbands alone without additional staff monitoring
Correct answer: Station servers inside the beer garden and check IDs at all entry points
Controlling all entry points and having staff inside the beer garden allows continuous monitoring of patrons and prevents uncontrolled access.
Question 3: During a corporate gala, you notice a guest's speech is slurring and he is leaning on the table. His colleague insists he is 'just tired.' What is your best response?
- Trust the colleague's assessment and continue serving
- Stop alcohol service to the guest and offer water and food (Correct answer)
- Ask the guest directly if he wants another drink
- Reduce his drink size but continue serving
Correct answer: Stop alcohol service to the guest and offer water and food
Visible signs of intoxication such as slurred speech and impaired balance require the server to stop alcohol service regardless of what companions say.
Question 4: A banquet hall is hosting a wedding reception with an open bar. The host requests that servers refill glasses automatically without guests asking. Why is this problematic under TAM?
- It increases costs for the venue
- It prevents servers from tracking how much each guest has consumed (Correct answer)
- It is only a problem if the reception lasts more than four hours
- It violates noise ordinances at most venues
Correct answer: It prevents servers from tracking how much each guest has consumed
Auto-refilling prevents servers from monitoring individual consumption rates, making it impossible to identify and respond to signs of intoxication.
Question 5: You are working a beer and wine tent at a county fair. A group of teenagers with adults presents IDs showing some are 18. What should you do?
- Serve only the adults in the group after checking all IDs (Correct answer)
- Card only the people who look under 30 and serve accordingly
- Refuse service to the entire group to avoid risk
- Serve everyone since adults are present to supervise
Correct answer: Serve only the adults in the group after checking all IDs
In Maryland the legal drinking age is 21; only verified adults of legal age may be served, regardless of who else is in the group.
Question 6: A special event permit limits alcohol sales to 10 p.m. It is 9:45 p.m. and a large group just arrived and wants a round. What is the correct action?
- Serve the round since there are 15 minutes remaining (Correct answer)
- Inform the group you cannot start new service this close to closing
- Serve one drink per person and collect glasses at 10 p.m.
- Let a manager decide whether to serve the group
Correct answer: Serve the round since there are 15 minutes remaining
As long as service ends by the permitted time, serving guests who arrive before the cutoff is permissible, but staff must ensure all service stops at 10 p.m.
Question 7: Which document should be on-site at every special event where alcohol is served under a temporary license in Maryland?
- A copy of the temporary license or special event permit (Correct answer)
- A notarized letter from the event organizer
- A list of all attending guests
- Proof of liability insurance only
Correct answer: A copy of the temporary license or special event permit
Maryland law requires the temporary license or special event permit to be present at the location during the event.
TAM Special Event Alcohol Service 2
At a special event with a cash bar, a guest hands you a $50 bill and asks you to 'keep the drinks coming' for his table.
What should you do?