Service of Alcoholic Beverages
The service of alcoholic beverages is controlled by certain guidelines as described below. The Extension Conference Centers offers several options for your bar set-up needs. Please review the policies carefully before ordering alcoholic beverages for your event.
Terms and Definitions
- Cash bar = the guests pay.
- Charge bar = the hosting group pays for all drinks.
- Standard bar = includes beer, house wines, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Full bar = includes a variety of liquors, house wines, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
General Policies
- Alcoholic beverage service is available only in conjunction with food service.
- All alcoholic beverages must be provided and served by catering staff.
- No outside alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into the building, and we do not allow corkage fees.
- Designated UW-Extension Conference Center staff is required to be present at all times while alcohol is being provided at a program. All managers, supervisors, lead workers, bartenders, and designated staff must attend and be certified for alcohol awareness training.
Program Focus: Alcohol service should never be the main focus of the program, but rather an enhancement. Advertising of the event should not emphasize alcohol service.
Control of Service: We recommend that all organizations and individuals sponsoring programs with alcohol utilize all methods available to reduce the possibility of alcohol abuse or misuse. For all student programs where some of the attendees will be underage (defined by law), wrist banding is required. The sponsoring organization will be charged for the wrist bands and the staff to monitor that this policy is enforced. Bartenders will band and serve only the attendees who are of legal drinking age.
Conduct: Sponsoring organizations are responsible for the actions of their guests and must comply with UW-Extension alcohol policies. Violations may result in the revocation of the organization's facility user privileges.
It is the intent of ECC to limit Charge Bars (open bar to program attendees) to two hours. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the manager of the respective Conference Center.