What best practices should a bar implement to promote safe drinking?

The practice of providing water, offering food, and monitoring customer consumption is instrumental in promoting safe drinking in a bar environment. Access to water is essential as it helps to keep patrons hydrated, especially when consuming alcohol, which can be dehydrating. By encouraging the consumption of food, bars can slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, thereby reducing the risk of intoxication.

Monitoring customer consumption is also vital because it enables staff to recognize when a patron has had enough to drink, allowing them to intervene appropriately. This combination of strategies not only promotes responsible drinking but also fosters a safer environment for all patrons, enhancing their overall experience.

In contrast, offering only strong alcoholic beverages, encouraging long drinking sessions without breaks, or limiting access to drinks at a specific time may not effectively address the broader need for responsible alcohol service and can lead to a range of issues associated with overconsumption.