What should you do if you notice a patron's behavior changing after drinking (e.g., becoming aggressive or confused)?

• A. Ignore it.
• B. Encourage more drinks to calm them.
• C. Evict immediately without steps.
• D. Intervene early, separate yourself, and involve management as needed.

Answer: (D)

When a patron’s behavior changes after drinking, safety and prevention of harm become the priority. Intervening early helps prevent the situation from escalating into aggression or confusion. Approach calmly and privately if possible, acknowledge your concern, and assess what they might need—offer a glass of water, suggest taking a break from further alcohol, and slow the pace of service. Separate yourself from the immediate interaction to avoid confrontation, maintain a non-confrontational stance, and give the patron space while you monitor the situation. If the behavior shows signs of aggression or confusion, involve management or a supervisor as needed to implement the appropriate safety plan. They can guide the next steps, such as limiting further service or removing the patron from the premises with support from staff or security. Avoid ignoring the change or trying to calm them by serving more alcohol, and don’t evict without following the proper safety steps and policies.