TAM Special Event Alcohol Service 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At a rooftop cocktail party, the event ends at 11 p.m. but guests are lingering and asking for 'one last drink' at 11:15. What should you do?
- Serve one final round as a courtesy since the event is wrapping up
- Politely decline because alcohol service has ended per the permitted hours (Correct answer)
- Serve only non-alcoholic beverages and explain service has closed
- Ask the event host whether to serve additional drinks
Correct answer: Politely decline because alcohol service has ended per the permitted hours
Once the permitted service period ends, no additional alcohol may be served regardless of guest requests or host preferences.
Question 2: A bride at her own wedding reception approaches you visibly intoxicated and asks for champagne for the toast. How should you handle this?
- Serve her since it is her special day and the toast is a one-time event
- Pour sparkling water or juice in a champagne flute without telling her
- Refuse to serve her and explain you cannot serve visibly intoxicated guests (Correct answer)
- Ask the groom's permission before deciding
Correct answer: Refuse to serve her and explain you cannot serve visibly intoxicated guests
TAM principles require refusing service to visibly intoxicated persons regardless of their status or the occasion.
Question 3: Which factor most increases the risk of over-service at a large special event compared to a regular bar setting?
- Guests tend to drink faster at special events
- Multiple servers may serve the same guest without coordinating (Correct answer)
- Special events always have lower lighting
- Guests at special events are more likely to be minors
Correct answer: Multiple servers may serve the same guest without coordinating
At large events, different servers can unknowingly serve the same guest multiple drinks without tracking total consumption, making coordination essential.
Question 4: A guest at a charity fundraiser gala shows a driver's license that appears altered. What is the proper response?
- Accept it and serve since the guest is clearly an adult
- Refuse service and do not attempt to confiscate the ID (Correct answer)
- Confiscate the ID and call police immediately
- Ask a second staff member to verify and then decide together
Correct answer: Refuse service and do not attempt to confiscate the ID
In Maryland, servers should refuse service when an ID appears altered but should not confiscate it; confiscation is a law enforcement function.
Question 5: What is the purpose of designating a 'floor manager' specifically for alcohol oversight at a large special event?
- To handle food service complaints
- To ensure consistent monitoring of guest intoxication levels across the venue (Correct answer)
- To manage event logistics such as seating
- To collect payments from the cash bar
Correct answer: To ensure consistent monitoring of guest intoxication levels across the venue
A dedicated alcohol floor manager provides centralized oversight, ensuring all servers are enforcing responsible service policies consistently throughout the event.
Question 6: A guest at an outdoor fundraiser claims he is a designated driver for his group and asks to bring drinks to his friends who are seated elsewhere. How should you respond?
- Allow it since he is not drinking himself
- Refuse to give multiple drinks to one person for redistribution to others (Correct answer)
- Permit him to carry two drinks maximum to his group
- Ask him to show a designated driver card before allowing it
Correct answer: Refuse to give multiple drinks to one person for redistribution to others
Allowing one person to carry multiple drinks to others prevents the server from monitoring each recipient's consumption and age.
Question 7: During a special event, a server realizes she accidentally served alcohol to a guest who later produced an ID showing he is 19. What should she do first?
- Pretend the service did not happen and avoid the guest
- Stop further service to the minor and immediately notify a manager (Correct answer)
- Ask the minor to quietly leave the event
- Continue serving the minor to avoid causing a scene
Correct answer: Stop further service to the minor and immediately notify a manager
Ceasing service and notifying management immediately is required to limit liability and ensure the minor does not receive additional alcohol.
TAM Special Event Alcohol Service 3
At a rooftop cocktail party, the event ends at 11 p.m. but guests are lingering and asking for 'one last drink' at 11:15.
What should you do?