Host Responsibility

It is essential to notice signs of intoxication early to minimise alcohol-related harm.

Your policy should include:

• How you will ensure all staff are trained on their responsibilities under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in relation to intoxicated patrons. 

• Strategies you will have in place to identify and deal with potentially intoxicated persons:

- Will you offer free soft drinks, tea, coffee to them?
- How will you slow their drinking down?
- What is the line of authority - who will deal with intoxicated people?

• Signage available in relation to intoxicated persons.

Your policy needs to explain how you manage your responsibilities to minors (under 18 years-old) under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

Your policy should include:

• How you will ensure your staff are trained on their responsibilities under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in relation to minors.

• How you will ensure your staff are aware of the designation/s of your business. 

• Strategies you will have in place to deal with minors:

- Are staff aware of acceptable forms of identification to request and who will be requested to show ID?
- What staff will do if minors are trying to purchase alcohol?
- Who will ask minors to leave if required?

• Signage available regarding minors.

The act requires you to always have substantial food options available at all times your business is open and supplying alcohol. For restaurants, full meals must always be available. There is also an expectation that any food options will be promoted within the premises.

Your policy should include:

• How you promote the availability of substantial food to customers i.e., menus that are easy to find, staff recommending food

• How you ensure staff are always aware of the food options available.

• Information on the range and style of food in both peak and off-peak times*.

• Signage in relation to food options

*The range (minimum of 3 options) and style of food must remain similar in style to the menu supplied with your licence application.

The Act requires a reasonable range of low alcohol (less than 2.5%) and non-alcoholic beverages to always be available.

Your policy should include: 

• The range of low alcohol beverages available.

• The range of non-alcoholic beverages available.

• How customers will know you have these available.

• Your commitment to offer free water to patrons at all times.

• How these alternatives are promoted.

• Signage in relation to low alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.

You need to provide customers with information about, and help with, alternative forms of transport from your business.

Your policy should include:

• Strategies you have in place to ensure both staff and patrons get home safely from your business:
  • What the available transport options are
  • How you promote available alternate forms of transport
• How you ensure staff are aware of the strategies.

Part of being a good host involves maintaining a safe environment and being a good neighbour.   

Your policy should include:

• How you will make sure you have enough managers to cover the hours of business you are open.

• How you will manage noise so that it does not disturb neighbours.

• How you will manage disorderly or offensive behaviour.

• When you will empty bottles into outside rubbish bins, to avoid disturbing neighbours.

• How you will check that toilets are clean, safe and free of prohibited people.

• For clubs, you should set out how the club will ensure that only club members, their accompanied guests, and members with reciprocal visiting rights are sold or supplied alcohol.