“After-Shift” Drinks

We often get asked about “after-shift” drinks for staff at bars and restaurants. What is an after-shift drink? Is it legal? What are the parameters surrounding it?

Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash

An after-shift drink is an allowance that the owner may grant an employee at the end of their shift. The owner may choose to buy the employee a drink or provide it at discount per WAC 314–11–085(1). The LCB requires the following to stay in compliance with Washington State laws and rules:

• Employee must be off duty before receiving their after-shift drink.
• Must have an employee, with a Class 12 permit, on site that is not drinking alcohol when customers are present.
• After-shift drinks can only be consumed when the facility is open to the general public.
• Alcohol must be consumed in the general seating area, when the facility is open to the public. The employee cannot drink behind the bar, in the kitchen or other areas restricted from customers.
• Employees may not pour their own drink.
• Employees may not appear intoxicated on or off duty, whether they are in possession of alcohol or not.
• All alcohol must be consumed between the hours of 6 a.m. — 2 a.m.