Category: Alcohol Sales

The Health Department Is on the Lookout – Are You in Their Sights?

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Do you make sure to always use proper hand-washing procedures at work? What about making sure that dirty dishes don’t pile up in the sink? Service industry professionals and dining establishments alike have a responsibility to make sure their places of business are clean for the health and safety of their staff and customers. Nothing can tarnish the reputation of an establishment more than a poor letter grade, a shutdown from the health department, or a rash of food-borne illnesses linked back to your business. When customers stay away, servers and bartenders lose out big on income and tips. So, it is in your best interest to make sure you are promoting a healthy establishment.

Businesses everywhere need to practice cleanliness and sanitation, but Nevada in particular does an excellent job of staying on top of the issue. KTNV ABC Action News 13 recently ran a report on the poor cleanliness practices at HK Star, a restaurant in Las Vegas’ Chinatown district, which would make just about anyone think twice about dining out. According to KTNV, the restaurant, “recently received 32 demerits and a “C” grade after a visit from the Southern Nevada Health District.” (KTNV News). Their violations ran the gamut from improper hand washing techniques by their employees, to meat left out to defrost at room temperature. Since the report, HK Star has made some changes and brought their status back up to an “A” grade, but the damage to their reputation may already be done. Would you want to eat out somewhere that historically employed lax cleaning procedures? To read KTNV’s report and learn about other restaurants covered in their ‘Dirty Dining’ section, please refer to their article, “Dirty Dining: HK Star.”

In Las Vegas, the South Nevada Health District reserves the right to drop in at any time for a surprise inspection. With that in mind, make sure you’re always doing your best to stay compliant with rules and regulations. Use common sense when it comes to cleanliness, and follow any guidelines set out by your employer.

Here are some easy to follow guidelines:

  • If you work in a food-serving establishment, make sure you have a Food Handler Health Card issued by the Southern Nevada Health District. For more information on Health cards, refer to the Southern Nevada Health District website. Also make sure you have your alcohol awareness card, you can easily obtain one from TAM of Nevada. Both of these are requirements for anyone who works in an establishment which sells food and/or alcoholic beverages. Be aware that the Southern Nevada Health District can ask to see your cards at any time, and can cite you for non-compliance.
  • Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom, before and after handling any raw food products, after clearing a table or taking out the trash, after sneezing or coughing, or any time after you touch something which isn’t sanitized. For instructions on proper hand washing techniques, refer to the CDC’s article, “Clean Hands Save Lives”.
  • Keep your fingernails clean and neatly trimmed.
  • If you have long hair, tie it back to avoid having it get into food or beverages.
  • Make sure food and food storage containers are properly labeled and dated. Discard any food items which are past expiration.
  • Look around and make sure all areas in the kitchen and common areas are clean and tidy. Utensils and storage containers should all be in their place, work surfaces should be wiped down, and trash containers should be emptied regularly. It only takes a minute to clean up clutter.

To learn more about South Nevada Health District’s rules and regulations for food serving and other public establishments please refer to the SNHD’s Food Establishments Regulations. And, to learn more on just how those A, B, and C grades are handed out, refer to the Las Vegas Review Journal’s concise article, “Restaurant Inspections Protect the Public.” Proper cleaning and safety practices are everyone’s job. What steps do you take to make sure you’re doing your best in cleanliness, sanitation, and public health?

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© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

It’s Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. What Are Your Plans for Super Bowl XLV?

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again, Super Bowl XLV is coming this Sunday; and, it’s going to be a blast. If you aren’t working, and don’t want to stay home to cheer on your favored team from the couch this year, there are plenty of options and places to join the party and watch the game all over Vegas. It doesn’t matter if you’re rooting for the Packers or the Steelers, if you prefer beer nuts and Heineken at the pub, or cheering loud with the casino crowd, there’s something out there for everyone.

Check out this extensive list of parties all over town, provided by Vegas Chatter. If you don’t find something to suit your fancy there, Vegas.com has also compiled their own list of the best sports books and parties for the big day; check out their list here.

Remember, kick-off time this Sunday will be at approximately 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Where are you going to watch the game? If you’re working, is your establishment doing anything special for the day?

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Who Can You Legally Refuse to Serve or Ask to Leave? Know Your Rights!

Published on by TAM of Nevada5 Comments

Every service professional dreads having to cut off a belligerent customer; it’s almost a rite of passage that every server or bartender must go through in their career. But, what happens if you need to refuse service for another reason? Who can you legally refuse to serve or ask to leave? Not only are the laws regarding right to refuse service complicated and varied by location, but private businesses can have their own additional rules and regulations. Complicated as it can be, it’s important that you know your rights. Beverage alcohol is a regulated substance and society has placed a significant responsibility on the server to dispense it properly.

First, let’s get the obvious out of the way. In Nevada, you have a legally protected right to evict from your premises, “anyone who acts in a disorderly manner, or who destroys the property of any such owner or keeper, or who causes a public disturbance in or upon such premises.” (Source: Nevada Legislature).

Given this, there are a number of legitimate situations in which an establishment can refuse service, including, but not limited to:

  • drunkennessPatrons who are excessively rowdy or harassing other customers.
  • Binge drinkers, over-consumers and already intoxicated individuals.
  • Patrons that would overfill legal capacity if let in.
  • Patrons accompanied by large groups of non-paying customers who will fill up excessive space that could be used by other paying customers.

However, beyond this things start to get tricky. As a matter of law, you must always respect people’s civil rights. It is against the law to deny service based on protected classes such as “race, color, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.” (Source: Nevada Legislature). Additionally, Nevada law mandates that you cannot refuse service to a person who requires the assistance of a service animal such as a seeing-eye dog. (Source: Nevada Legislature). Outside of any type of discrimination, within a private business establishment such as a bar or casino, it is up to the establishment’s discretion who they do and do not do business with.

Remember, bartenders and servers need to be concerned not only with the behavior or state of their direct customer, but how they can effect or interact with others around them. For example, it could be dangerous to allow a small child to linger in a bar or casino – what if they were knocked over by someone carrying a tray of drinks or caught in the crosshairs of a bar fight? In Nevada, a business that sells alcoholic beverages can be fined for allowing a minor to linger in the building. People have been escorted out of establishments for all types of unique situations including:

  • Excessive personal hygiene issues (foul body odor).
  • Minors in the company of adult caretakers in a bar or pub area.
  • Pregnant women in a rowdy bar or pub area.

What does this mean for you? Always check your employee handbook or company policies regarding refusal of service to see how your employer handles these types of situations. You need to be aware of both company policies and laws specific to your community. You may have to report any disruptive behavior or anything that makes you uncomfortable to a manger before cutting off a patron or asking them to leave. There may even be rules dictating that the person is escorted safely off of the property.

Also, keep in mind that asking a customer to stop drinking or leave is not always good for business. Recently, as reported in the Chicago Tribune in the article, “Pregnant Woman Says She Was Kicked Out of Bar,” there was a case in Illinois involving a pregnant woman (who was not consuming liquor) being asked to leave a bar because she was viewed as a potential liability. The woman left, as asked; but, she was embarrassed by what had happened. Now, the bar is going through a wave of negative publicity (and a lawsuit may follow). A good rule of thumb is to always use your best judgment in doing what you can to maintain a positive and safe atmosphere.

Have you ever refused service or asked someone to leave? What happened?

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© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada