
Do I need a license to be a bartender in Illinois?
Local jurisdictions in Illinois that DO require a bartending license will likely require training based on Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training ( BASSET ). Click here to determine if your jurisdiction requires a BASSET certification.
How old do you have to be to bartend?
How Old Do You Have to be to Bartend? How Old Do You Have to be to Bartend? In the United States, different states have their own age requirement before you are allowed to bartend, but the age range is from 18-21 years old.
What skills do you need to be a bartender?
High-end hotels, bars, and four to five-star restaurants require bartenders who are capable of conversing with upmarket customers. If you think you can handle conversations about the economy, stocks, businesses, etc., these places will be a great start for your bartending career.
How to choose the right bartender for your restaurant?
Play with your strength. However, an upscale hotel, martini bar, and four-star restaurant need a bartender with maturity who can hold a conversation with their posh customers. If you are a sports fan, a sports bar is a great place to see the games and keep up with the scores.

Can you be a bartender at 18 in Illinois?
Q: What is the minimum age to sell/serve alcoholic liquor and can minors enter a bar? A: Both answers are subject to local jurisdictional ordinances, but, at a minimum, the seller/server must be at least 18 years of age. A minor is not allowed to sell/serve alcoholic liquor.
Can you work at a bar under 21 Illinois?
Except as provided in subdivision (c), no licensee that sells or serves alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises shall employ any person under 21 years of age for the purpose of preparing or serving alcoholic beverages.
How do I become a bartender in Illinois?
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission requires bartenders to complete a beverage alcohol sellers and servers education and training program before they can work as a bartender. Meet the minimum age requirement of 21. If under 21, you cannot sell alcohol in the state of Illinois. Enroll in a bartending school.
Can 18 year old bartenders drink?
Can I be a Bartender at 18?StateAge Requirement for BartendingAlaska (AK)21Arizona (AZ)19Arkansas (AK)18California (CA)2145 more rows
Can a minor sit at a bar in Illinois?
Persons under 21 may only enter a licensed tavern accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It's up to the bar. As a general rule, if it is a restaurant that also has a bar, you will be okay but will need to sit at a table and not at the bar.
Can minors drink non alcoholic beer?
Legally, any beer that contains no more than 1.2% ABV is classed as low-alcohol, but is still alcohol as it is above the Government's 0.5% threshold; so you cannot serve this to under 18s.
How long is bartending school Illinois?
1 week to 2 weeksThis school offers 4 programs which provide training for 1 qualification , including Illinois Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) Bartending Certification. Time to complete this education training ranges from 1 week to 2 weeks, depending on the qualification.
Do you need a bartending license in IL?
Yes, as of July 1, 2018, every county within the state of Illinois will require all sellers, servers, and door persons to complete our official Illinois BASSET certification (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) course every 3 years.
How long does it take to become a bartender in Illinois?
The BASSET program is a 4-hour course that consists of, but is not limited to: Spotting signs of intoxication and utilizing intervention techniques.
Does Illinois have happy hour?
A: Yes. This legislation permits licensees to offer discounted drinks for up to 4 hours per day, and not more than 15 hours per week. The specified drink promotional period does not have to be for 4 consecutive hours.
Can you work in a bar under 21 in America?
Most states do allow employees 18 years of age or older to serve alcohol, at least in restaurants. Some states require that servers in bars and nightclubs be 21. Others only allow servers under 21 if the employee has completed responsible alcohol service training.
Why do bartenders open your cans?
Opening your beer is part of the hospitality provided by the bar or restaurant and it's also safer if the bartender opens the bottle or can of beer for you. Most customers are capable of opening their own bottles or cans of beer but it's a much more pleasant experience when the bartender does it for you.
Can someone under 18 work behind a bar?
A: Some under 18s (young people) can work in pubs and restaurants; they can wait on tables, collect glasses, clear tables and take orders from customers. Under 18s can even work behind the bar pulling pints and serving whiskies.
How old do you have to be to work in a bar USA?
In the United States you must be between 18 and 21 years old to work at a bar, while in the UK, Canada, and Europe, you need to be 18. The legal US drinking age is 21, and many bars will not employ younger staff due to the risk, even if they are legally eligible to work in the bar.
What can you do at 18 in Illinois?
You have the right to:Vote & serve on a jury.Make a will.Sue in your own name.Make a contract (rent an apartment, buy a car, take out a loan)Get medical treatment.Be completely independent from your parents.Apply for credit in your own name.Get married, without parental consent.
How late can a 17 year old work in Illinois?
Work cannot begin before 7 a.m. or end after 9 p.m. Under Illinois law, 16- and 17-year-olds can perform any nonhazardous job for eight hours a day and 44 hours a week at a maximum six-day workweek. use of vehicle lifts and grease racks by employees 16 and older.
Illinois BASSET Certification
Local jurisdictions in Illinois that DO require a bartending license will likely require training based on Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training ( BASSET ). Click here to determine if your jurisdiction requires a BASSET certification.
Online Training Providers
If your jurisdiction allows for online testing, we recommend the tests provided by either Serving Alcohol or Learn2Serve. Their courses provide you with the necessary knowledge and techniques needed to be a responsible seller/server of alcohol at the lowest price available.
On-Premise VS. Off-Premise
What’s the difference? Simply put, On-Premise refers to those who serve alcohol in an establishment such as a bartender or waiter. Off-Premise refers to those who sell alcohol but not serve it such as a liquor store or gas station.
How old do you have to be to bartender?
The majority of states in the U.S. permit adults age 18 to 20 to tend bar in on-premises establishments. Below is the minimum age for bartending in each U.S. state.
What is a bartender in a restaurant?
Generally the term “bartender” refers to a person who dispenses alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, “ server ” refers to a waitperson. On-premises establishments are those selling alcoholic beverages for consumption there instead of elsewhere. They are typically restaurants and bars.
Can you be a bartender under 21?
In some states, adults under 21 may legally tend bar. But only in certain types of on-premises establishments, such as restaurants. In some cases, bartenders must be at least a specified age. But younger employees may stock coolers with alcohol or clear alcoholic beverages from tables.
How old do you have to be to sell liquor in Illinois?
A: Both answers are subject to local jurisdictional ordinances, but, at a minimum, the seller/server must be at least 18 years of age. A minor is not allowed to sell/serve alcoholic liquor. Illinois Liquor Control Commission Rules & Regulations (Section 100.10) define a "minor" as a person under 18 years of age ...
How old do you have to be to drink in Chicago?
In Chicago, for example, you must be 21 to sell/serve alcohol and those under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter a bar/tavern. Some other local jurisdictions allow all ages to enter, regardless of whether they are with a parent or legal guardian. Other municipalities have ordinances specifying different ages ...
What happens if a distributor does not apply the liquor control charge?
If the distributor does not uniformly apply these charges, then in situations in which the charge is not applied or appropriately collected, the retailer may have committed a violation of Section 6-5 of the Liquor Control Act and the distributor may have committed a violation of Section 6-6 of the Liquor Control Act.
What is the Illinois liquor warning sign?
A: All liquor retailers must post a government warning sign (alerting patrons to the dangers of drinking while pregnant) along with their liquor license and Illinois Business Tax (IBT) certificate. All signage must be framed and posted in a conspicuous place within the premises, such as behind the bar or at the point-of-sale. Other signage (including a “Proof of Age” sign and local liquor license) may also be required by your local jurisdictional authority. Please visit our Alcohol Retailer Licensee Informational Packet page to order the above mentioned signage. Additionally, some on-premise liquor retailers are required to prohibit firearms in their establishment (visit the Illinois State Police's Concealed Carry Signage Requirements web page) and post a human trafficking notice (visit the Illinois Dept. of Human Services' Human Trafficking Resource Center Notice Act web page).
What is the liquor control act in Illinois?
However, the Illinois Liquor Control Act (235 ILCS 5/6-16, 235 ILCS 5/6-16.2, and ILCS 5/4-1) allows local jurisdictional control over this matter as well as the age allowed to enter a bar/tavern (restaurants that serve alcohol are exempt from this law). In Chicago, for example, you must be 21 to sell/serve alcohol and those under 21 years ...
Can you deliver liquor on premises?
A: If you have an off-premise or a combined (on/off premise) liquor license, you can offer liquor delivery sales through your business. However, please note the following: Your local jurisdiction must allow this activity, you must have safeguards in place to ensure those accepting the product are over the age of 21 years, and you cannot accept payment or orders at the delivery location.
Do you need a liquor license to sell alcohol?
A: No, a liquor license is ALWAYS required when selling alcoholic beverages. Please note, a private function is an event where attendance is by invitation only, the host controls access to the premises, and alcoholic beverages are provided to invited guests at NO CHARGE. In other words, a wedding would qualify under this exception as long as the liquor being served is not sold to the wedding guests.

Online Training Providers
- If your jurisdiction allows for online testing, we recommend the tests provided by either Serving Alcohol or Learn2Serve. Their courses provide you with the necessary knowledge and techniques needed to be a responsible seller/server of alcohol at the lowest price available. 1. Click here to learn more aboutServing Alcohol‘s online BASSET Certificat...
On-Premise vs. Off-Premise
- What’s the difference? Simply put, On-Premise refers to those who serve alcohol in an establishment such as a bartender or waiter. Off-Premiserefers to those who sell alcohol but not serve it such as a liquor store or gas station. If your local jurisdiction does require BASSET training in order to serve alcohol, you may be required to go to a training course at a certified loc…
Basset Certification Information
- The BASSET program is a 4-hour course that consists of, but is not limited to: 1. Spotting signs of intoxication and utilizing intervention techniques 2. Preventing DUI’s and alcohol related fatalities 3. Stopping underage sales and underage drinking 4. Understanding state laws and your local ordinances Additional Resources: 1. Local liquor-related ordinancesin Illinois