In Alabama there are NO state regulations in place that require a server or bartender to be licensed in order to sell alcohol.
With that being said, many employers in Alabama will require their employees to be certified by Alabama’s Responsible Vendor Program, which allows the business to hire 19 and 20 year olds to serve alcohol.
Alabama’s Responsible Vendor Program
The Alabama Responsible Vendor Program is a 100% voluntary program that gives bar and restaurant owners the ability to train managers and employees in the sale of alcohol. There are two main reasons why owners will have their employees certified.
The first is that if an employee accidentally sells alcohol to a person who is not of legal drinking age, the ABC board may reduce the penalty or fine if the employee has undergone training from someone certified under the Responsible Vendor Program.
The second benefit of the program though is that it allows owners to employe 19 and 20 year olds to serve alcohol to customers.
As of 2023, there are 18 course providers that have been approved by the state.
The approved list of private Responsible Vendor Program course providers can be found on the Alabama ABC Board website here. Courses are provided both online and in-person.
Minimum Age To Sell and Serve Alcoholic Beverages In Alabama
As stated above, the minimum age required to be a bartender without any licensing in Alabama is 21 years old.
Those aged 19 and 20 years old are allowed to act as servers as long as they have been trained by an employee at their bar or restaurant who has been certified in the state’s Responsible Vendor Program.
To put it clearly, a 19 or 20 year old may bring a made drink to a customer but may not mix a drink or act as a bartender. Furthermore, a manager who is 21 must be available at all times.
Additional Resources
- Wet/Dry Map for cities and counties
For more information, please contact your local City Clerk’s office.
