RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL
HOUSE POLICY
PROCEDURE:
This Policy and Procedure is to be applied fairly and impartially to all patrons, including staff
off duty and Club Committee members.
IMPACT OF ALCOHOL ABUSE OR MISUSE IN THE COMMUNITY
Abusive behaviour, vandalism, unruly crowds, crime and accidents cause undue stress to the
general public and communities as a whole. Additionally, they stretch the limited resources of
Police and Emergency Services to attend to calls and complaints.
The sale and consumption of liquor is restricted by Governments. The liquor laws balance a
number of factors as well as imposing restrictions such as:
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Encouraging business growth and investment;
Providing a business environment where trends and ideas flourish without too
much government red tape;
Ensuring the general public is not disturbed by the business; and
Ensuring whilst liquor is available to the public, the harm it can cause is
minimised.
For a business to keep a Liquor License, the holder of the license:
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must behave responsibly, and
they must not engage in practice or promotion that encourages rapid or
excessive consumption of liquor;
must promote the responsible consumption of liquor; and
Must provide and maintain a safe environment in and around the licensed
premises.
Licensees and Bar Employees who fail to put these regulations into practice may be fined or
have their license to trade suspended or cancelled and place their employment in jeopardy.
A safe and friendly environment attracts safe and friendly patrons and ensures a peaceful
and safe work environment for staff.
Membership and Patron Access to the Club
MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
Every person over the age of 18 years is eligible to become a member of the club upon
approval of their membership application by the Management Committee.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Any person over the age of 18 years may apply for club membership. Each Membership
Application for RSL Members must be Proposed and Seconded.
Membership Applications are available at Reception upon request.
There are 3 Categories of membership:
 Full – RSL Members – people who are ex-service personnel
 Associate Members – people are directly related to an ex-service person and
who wishes to have voting rights
 Social Members – all other people (people who have not served in the armed
forces)
RECIPROCAL MEMBERSHIP
Reciprocal Members are people who are financial members of another club in which that club
has agreed to a ‘reciprocal agreement’ to allow each other club’s members to sign-in under
the reciprocal category.
NON-MEMBERS
VISITORS TO THE AREA and PEOPLE WHO LIVE MORE THAN 15 KILOMETRES AWAY
FROM THE CLUB
Visitors to the area are welcome in the club if they sign-in and display good behaviour.
Follows is a spreadsheet detailing how people can legally enter the club:
PURCHASES FROM THE BOTTLESHOP
As per the “Standard Condition” of the club’s liquor licence (page 2 of this document):
“Liquor may not be sold for consumption off the licensed premises after 12 midnight or
be taken away from the premises after 12:30pm”
Please refer to the table on the previous page for information on who can legally purchase
take-away alcohol from the bottleshop.
SALE AND SUPPLY OF LIQUOR
There are three types of people who may not be sold or supplied liquor:
1. Minors (people under the age of 18 years)
2. unduly intoxicated patrons
3. disorderly patrons
SUPPLY OF LIQUOR:
Supply of liquor also includes when a patron’s mates buy a drink for them or if they are in a
“shout”. Be aware that even though the person who purchased the liquor is fine, there could be
a member of that party who is intoxicated.
AFFECTS OF LIQUOR
Gender
Genetically, women have a higher percentage of body fat than men. They absorb more
alcohol than men of a similar weight and therefore display signs of intoxication more quickly
than men.
Size
It may take longer for a large person to display signs of intoxication than a small person. The
larger person has more body fluids and alcohol will be diluted further even though the same
numbers of drinks have been consumed.
Health
Being tired, ill or stressed may affect a patron’s reaction to alcohol.
State Of Mind
Unhappy or depressed patrons may be affected more quickly than usual.
Rate Of Drinking
If patrons are drinking rapidly, the alcohol will have a greater effect as they are consuming
faster than the body can remove alcohol.
Food
Food in the stomach slows the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the body, giving the body
more time to remove it. However, once alcohol has passed into the blood stream, food cannot
slow or interfere with its effects. Eating food with a drink may therefore slow down the rate of
a person’s drinking. Having food in the stomach may slow the absorption of the alcohol into
the blood stream.
Medication
Many medications interact with alcohol. This may increase the loss of control.
FINES
The maximum penalties for the sale or supply of liquor to Minors, unduly intoxicated patrons
or disorderly patrons:
 Supply to Minors – Licensee $25,000; Nominee $25,000; Staff $2,500
 Supply to unduly intoxicated/disorderly patrons – Licensee $50,000; Nominee
$50,000; Staff $8,000
 Patron fines – Supplying to a minor $8,000; supplying to unduly intoxicated
patron $8,000
 Minor (consumption of liquor) $2,500
TAKING OPEN BOTTLE OF WINE HOME
If a Member or Reciprocal Member wishes to take a bottle of wine home they may:
1. Check membership status: Only Members and Reciprocal Members may do this. The
liquor act excludes guests of patrons and visitors from doing this.
2. Seal the wine bottle by using a cork or screw top lid.
3. Conceal the bottle from public view by placing it in a suitable bag available from the
bottleshop.
STANDARD DRINKS
It is important that Bar Staff understand how much alcohol they are providing to their
customers.
STANDARD DRINK: is a measure of how much pure alcohol has entered the body –
regardless of the type of drink.
A Standard Drink is deemed to contain 10 grams of pure alcohol. Examples of this are as
follows:
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1 x 30ml nip of spirit
 1 x 285ml pot of full strength beer (ie. 4.6 - 4.9%)
 1 x can of mid strength beer (ie. 3.5%)
 2 x pots of light beer (ie. 2-3%)
 1 x 100ml glass of table wine
 1 x 60ml glass of fortified wine or port
Points to remember:
In most restaurants these days wine and champagne glasses hold 300-400ml of wine –
remembering 1 standard drink of wine is 100ml. This club serves wine in small bottles of
varying sizes, all of which are greater than 100ml.
LEGAL LIMITS
The legal blood alcohol limit to drive a vehicle is 0.05 blood alcohol concentration.
Below is a handy table to assist in guiding the number of standard drinks to stay under 0.05.
Number of Standard Drinks
1st Hour
Each hour after
Female
1
1
Male
2
1
SERVING OF SHOTS OR SHOOTERS
SHOTS and SHOOTERS: 1 or 2 nips of spirit or liquor that are rapidly consumed. They are
typically made from Tequila/ Sambuca or a mix of liquors and sometimes taste like
cocktails, and are often purchased as a novelty drink and are associated with rapid
consumption of alcohol.
Due to our commitment of responsible service of Alcohol, it is an in-house policy that no shots or
shooters are to be served at any bar.
SERVING OF CHASERS
CHASER: 1 nip of basic spirit (usually rum) to be consumed in conjunction with another
beverage (usually a beer) and both drinks are finished at the same time. These drinks are
not usually associated with binge drinking.
SERVING OF JUGS
It is permitted to serve jugs of beer or spirits.
To ensure standardization of drinks, at all times only put 5 nips of spirit into any one jug.
Jugs will not be served within ½ hour of closing time. This is to avoid any rapid consumption of
liquor.
CHECKING IDENTIFICATION
Don’t assume.
If any employee feels that a person being sold or supplied with alcohol could be under 18
years of age, they are to either:
Discreetly and politely approach the individual and ask to sight their proof of age photo
identification; or
Inform the Duty Manager and they will discreetly and politely approach the individual and
ask to sight their proof of age photo identification.
In Queensland there are 4 types of ID which are acceptable to prove your age. These are:
1. Australian Drivers Licence or permit (not international licence);
2. an Australian or Foreign passport; and
3. a Government issued proof of age card (18+ Card in QLD – each state has its own
proof of age card).
In all circumstances, please ensure you are friendly, polite and respectful to the person you
are approaching.
Follows is an example of how you may ask a patron for ID:
Hello, I’m Sandy the Duty Manager on shift;
I guess you get asked this all the time, but I was wondering if you could please show me some
proof of age. Then sight the acceptable form of Photo ID (listed above)
Thanks for your assistance, have a great evening!
MINORS ENTERING THE CLUB’S LICENSED PREMISES
Minors are welcomed at the Wynnum RSL Club Inc. however they must comply with acceptable
behaviour standards and be in the company of a “responsible adult”:
RESPONSIBLE ADULT:
A Responsible Adult is a parent, grandparent, guardian or someone who has the
parent/guardian’s authority to take care of the minor (ie looking after a friend’s child). The
Responsible Adult must be 18 years of age or older.
The definition does not include a spouse or defacto or an 18 year old boyfriend or girlfriend.
SUPERVISION OF MINORS:
Minors must be accompanied by the responsible adult at all times. The adult is responsible for
their behaviour whilst on the club’s premises.
NOT TO SUPPLY ALCOHOL TO A MINOR:
Under no circumstances is the Responsible Adult, Minor or any other person permitted to
supply a minor with alcohol.
It is in-house club policy for minors not to be seated at the bar or enter into any gaming area
of the club. The Responsible Adult is to remain with the minor whilst on our premises.
ENTRY INTO THE CLUB:
Minors may only enter the club with a responsible adult.
GAMING AREAS
Minors are not permitted into the Gaming Machine area.
MINORS IN OUTDOOR SMOKING AREAS
Minors are not permitted to be in any outdoor area where smoking is permitted.
How to Identify and Prevent Intoxication
LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF UNDUE INTOXICATION
Some signs are obvious immediately, whilst other signs may be displayed over a period of
time. Some more common signs below may be helpful to identify intoxication.
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Difficulty moving around objects;
Bumping into or knocking over furniture;
Falling down;
Swaying;
Dozing whilst sitting at a bar or a table;
Clumsy or uncoordinated movements
Stumbling or change in gait (gait = particular manner of walking)
Crude behaviour;
Spilling drinks or the inability to find one’s month with a glass;
Inappropriate sexual advances;
Annoying other customers and employees;
Glassy eyes, lack of focus, loss of eye contact;
Becoming careless with money, buying rounds for strangers;
Becoming loud and boisterous and making comments about others;
Aggression or belligerence;
Becoming agitated or argumentative;
Inability to light a cigarette;
Letting a cigarette burn in an ashtray without smoking it;
Inability to pick up change from a bar or table;
Rambling conversation, loss of train of thought;
Altered speech pattern, such as slurred speech;
Making irrational or nonsensical statements.
Unduly intoxicated patrons will usually exhibit a combination of these signs.
However, please be aware these and many similar signs may be displayed by sober patrons
who suffer a medical condition. When in doubt, please check with your Duty Manager, who
may know the patron.
PREVENTING INTOXICATED PATRONS ENTERING THE CLUB
Staff to monitor all people entering for the following:
 Has the patron been drinking?
 Should the patron be permitted to enter the club?
INSIDE THE CLUB
 Avoid any promotion that encourages the rapid or excessive consumption of
alcohol;
 Ensure enough experienced staff are on duty for busy nights (ie. Bar staff)
 In the event of private functions, ensure the Organiser/Host knows we will
refuse service (even if it is an all inclusive price). Use the Host when you refuse
service to help you;
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Place water on the bar for patrons to help themselves;
Promote non-alcoholic drinks to patrons as well as designated drivers;
Assess the patron each time they are served (either at the bar or by table
service);
All staff in every department are to observe patrons and inform Duty
Managers and Bar Staff of any concerns;
Take notice of group and individual’s behaviour when they are in a shout;
If you have concerns about a patron, identify them and your concerns to the
Duty Manager to further assess the situation.
CLOSING TIME
The Liquor License presented at the beginning of this policy and procedure determines the
maximum trading hours the club can operate.
The club has decided the following closing times. These times are amended depending upon
trade by the Duty Manager on the night:
Sunday to Thursday
Friday & Saturday
- 10pm
- 12pm
CALLING OF LAST DRINKS
Staff will announce over the PA system, calling last drinks, approximately 15-20 minutes to
closing time. Remember only one (1) drink per patron after last drinks has been called.
Refusal of Service of Alcohol
Service may be refused at any time for non-discriminatory reasons. This means you cannot
refuse service on the basis of race, sex, religion, physical or mental impairment, etc. A person
does have the right to take the matter to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
if they feel they have been subjected to discrimination.
1. When a staff member observes a patron who they perceive as unduly intoxicated or
identify a minor whom is suspected of being supplied or sold alcohol, the Duty
Manager is to be immediately contacted;
2. The Duty Manager decides the course of action to take. This is because clubs like RSL’s
which attract a predominance of older and disabled patrons, we have many people who
suffer from motor neurone type diseases and look intoxicated however may not be. If the
Club makes a wrong decision by refusing service to a patron who has a motor neurone
type illness and who is not intoxicated, the club may face issues with the Anti-Discrimination
Commission. The Duty Manager is more likely to know most patrons relative to new staff;
3. The Duty Manager may advise the employee to refuse service or the Duty Manager will
inform the patron personally. If staff know the patron who is about to be refused service
and feels comfortable in informing them, they may do so;
4. In every event, the Duty Manager or Employee refusing service is to approach the Patron
with utmost respect, confidentiality and understanding, for the Club wants them and their
friends to return on another day. Under no circumstances is this to be made a public issue. If
in the event of a patrons supplying alcohol to a minor, the minor, their guardian and the
person supplying the alcohol will be asked to leave the club’s premises;
5. Explain the reason for refusal of service. (ie. Continued bad language, inappropriate
behaviour, annoying other patrons, etc);
6. Once a patron is refused service, they are to be asked to leave the building. Sometimes
patrons can be devious and will continue to drink in another bar within the Club. In all
instances the Duty Manager will ask the patron to leave the building;
7. Depending on the behaviour of the person who is refused service, offer to call them a taxi,
or sober friend to give them a ride home;
8. Make sure the patron leaves the premises promptly and safely; and
9. Both the employee who served the patron and the Duty Manager are to write a detailed
report in the Incident Register, as to inform other staff of a patron’s behaviour. These
reports are to be detailed, factual, and impartial - as reports may be needed to suspend
membership or to defend the Club in a litigation case. Particularly instances involving
threats of aggression or refusing to leave the premises.
THE REASON FOR THIS POLICY:
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The Duty Manager is generally more skilled and trained to handle the
reactions of intoxicated people who are refused service;
To ensure all Staff are trained in Responsible Service of alcohol;
When adhering to the Liquor Act, it is a legal responsibility of the Employee
serving the patron and the Licensee to refuse service to an intoxicated patron,
person under 18 years old, unduly intoxicated or a disorderly patron;
There are high penalties of breaching the ‘Responsible service of Alcohol’
section of the Liquor Act;
We don’t want any patron who may be suffering from an illness like motor
neurone disorder (or Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), speech impediment
or a balance disorder (middle ear infection) to be discriminated against, and
being judged as being intoxicated when they are not; and
The Club has a duty of care to all patrons and staff under the Workplace
Health & Safety Act.
BREACH OF THIS POLICY:
Because of the potential legal implications, breach of this policy will be treated with warnings,
counselling or dismissal.