Are bars and restaurants required to have someone checking IDs?

In Virginia, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol are legally required to check IDs before allowing someone to buy or receive an alcoholic beverage. This is known as liquor liability law, and it is enforced to prevent underage drinking. At a minimum, Virginia law requires all establishments that serve alcohol to employ at least one person or use a technology system to check the identification of any person attempting to purchase or receive an alcoholic beverage. The person or system must verify the age of the individual and record the information in a log. In the event that a minor is allowed to receive or purchase an alcoholic beverage, the bar or restaurant can face substantial fines or have its liquor license revoked by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. Therefore, it is indeed required for bars and restaurants in Virginia to have someone checking IDs—whether it is a designated employee or a technology system—in order to comply with state liquor liability law. It is important for establishments to be aware of Virginia’s alcohol-related regulations in order to avoid fines and other legal consequences. Ultimately, the goal of these laws is to promote responsible alcohol consumption and to reduce incidences of underage drinking.

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Are bars and restaurants required to have someone checking IDs?

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