Bartenders: an untapped resource for the prevention of alcohol abuse?

The study is based on standardized interviews with 64 male and female bartenders in 43 bars. Findings indicate that regardless of sex, bartenders are sensitive to their own and their customers' drinking patterns and behavior, and are reliable reporters of the phenomenon. They are sensitive to the causes of problem drinking. Despite bar policies they can and do exercise considerable discretion in dealing with customer behavior associated with problem drinking. They do intervene to prevent drunk driving. A majority are positive about taking courses in alcohol education with the aim of assisting their customers. Bartenders, then, are prime candidates for assisting in the large societal task of reducing the harmful consequences of alcohol abuse.