December 11, 2023
When it comes to serving alcohol and pursuing a career in bartending, it's essential to be well-informed about the age restrictions in your state. These restrictions can vary significantly, ranging from 18 to 21 years old, depending on your jurisdiction. Additionally, bartending license requirements may differ based on state regulations.
To provide you with a comprehensive overview, let's explore the age requirements for both serving alcohol and bartending:
In general, the legal age to serve alcohol is typically 18 years old. However, it's important to note that this age requirement can vary depending on your state and city. Each state establishes its own minimum age for alcohol service.
It's worth mentioning that some cities or regions may have exceptions or unique alcohol legislation in place. Therefore, thorough research about your specific city and state is advisable if you're considering a career in bartending.
Furthermore, different requirements may apply based on the type of alcohol being served. For instance, some states, like North Carolina, may have distinct legal age limits for employees serving beer versus liquor.
Given these variations, both applicants and businesses must stay well-informed about the laws that govern alcohol service in their establishment.
In most states, individuals as young as 18 are eligible to serve alcohol. However, local regulations can impact this age requirement. For example, while you can serve alcohol at 18 in Illinois, the age requirement in Chicago is 21. Therefore, it's advisable to check your city's official website for specific regulations.
To provide you with a convenient reference, we've compiled a table of the minimum legal age requirements for serving alcoholic beverages and bartending in on-premises establishments across all 50 states:
State | Age Requirement for Serving | Age Requirement for Bartending
| State | Serving Alcohol Age | Bartending Age |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | 19 | 21 |
| Alaska (AK) | 21 | 21 |
| Arizona (AZ) | 18 | 18 |
| Arkansas (AR) | 19 | 18 |
| California (CA) | 18 | 21 |
| Colorado (CO) | 18 | 18 |
| Connecticut (CT) | 18 | 18 |
| Delaware (DE) | 18 | 21 |
| District of Columbia (DC) | 18 | 21 |
| Florida (FL) | 18 | 18 |
| Georgia (GA) | 18 | 18 |
| Hawaii (HI) | 18 | 18 |
| Idaho (ID) | 19 | 19 |
| Illinois (IL) | 18 | 21 |
| Indiana (IN) | 19 | 21 |
| Iowa (IA) | 18 | 18 |
| Kansas (KS) | 18 | 21 |
| Kentucky (KY) | 20 | 20 |
| Louisiana (LA) | 18 | 18 |
| Maine (ME) | 18 | 18 |
| Maryland (MD) | 18 | 18 |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 18 | 18 |
| Michigan (MI) | 18 | 18 |
| Minnesota (MN) | 18 | 18 |
| Mississippi (MS) | 18 | 21 |
| Missouri (MO) | 18 | 18 |
| Montana (MT) | 18 | 18 |
| Nebraska (NE) | 19 | 19 |
| Nevada (NV) | 21 | 21 |
| New Hampshire (NH) | 18 | 18 |
| New Jersey (NJ) | 18 | 18 |
| New Mexico (NM) | 19 | 19 |
| New York (NY) | 18 | 18 |
| North Carolina (NC) | 18 | 21 |
| North Dakota (ND) | 18 | 19 |
| Ohio (OH) | 19 | 21 |
| Oklahoma (OK) | 18 | 21 |
| Oregon (OR) | 18 | 18 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | 18 | 18 |
| Rhode Island (RI) | 18 | 18 |
| South Carolina (SC) | 18 | 18 |
| South Dakota (SD) | 18 | 21 |
| Tennessee (TN) | 18 | 18 |
| Texas (TX) | 18 | 18 |
| Utah (UT) | 21 | 21 |
| Vermont (VT) | 18 | 18 |
| Virginia (VA) | 18 | 21 |
| Washington (WA) | 18 | 21 |
| Wisconsin (WI) | 18 | 18 |
| Wyoming (WY) | 18 | 21 |
| Various States | 16 and above for selling liquor, wine, or beer in unopened containers for off-premises consumption. | 16 and above for selling liquor, wine, or beer in unopened containers for off-premises consumption. |
| Various States | Employees between 16 and 19 years old may complete transactions for selling beer, wine, or spirits if they do not handle or serve it. | Employees between 16 and 19 years old may complete transactions for selling beer, wine, or spirits if they do not handle or serve it. |
Please keep in mind that these age requirements may be subject to modification by local governments. While the minimum legal age may be 18 in your state, your city or town may opt to raise this requirement. However, local authorities are typically not authorized to lower the age set by the state, ensuring consistent enforcement.
In select states, minors may be allowed to sell alcohol, with age restrictions as follows:
Disclaimer: It's important to note that the information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice. Regulations and requirements regarding the service of alcohol can change, and they may vary by location. We strongly recommend that readers verify this information with their manager or the local liquor authority to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
