In Minnesota, a bartending license is not required in order to sell or serve alcohol. With that being said, the state does recommend to bars and restaurants that they have all of their bartenders and servers undergo alcohol related training.
Overview
| License Requirement | Not required, but recommended |
| Deadline | None |
| Governing Body | Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement |
State-Recommended Alcohol Educational
Although a bartending license is not required to sell or serve alcohol in Minnesota, training is still highly suggested by not only the state, but individual counties as well. For example. Scott County works with local retailers by offering Alcohol Awareness/Compliance Server Training from an approved list of providers.
Furthermore, due to Minnesota’s liquor laws, any bartender that is caught selling alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person can lead to the bar or restaurant losing it’s liquor license. If the bartender has been licensed in the sale of alcoholic beverages though, the judge may be more lenient on the establishment. It is for this reason that most bars and restaurants will require employees to become licensed.
Our suggestion: If you would like to take a quick and easy course, while getting a leg-up on your competition and making your resume stand out from the competition, we suggest the training provided by Serving Alcohol. Serving Alcohol provides both online and in-person training in Minnesota and we have secured a special discount for readers of Bartending License Help. Learn more here.
Minimum Age to Serve Alcoholic Beverages in Minnesota
- 18
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, “No person under 18 years of age may serve or sell intoxicating liquor in a retail intoxicating liquor establishment.”
