Can a bar turn away a pregnant woman who wants to drink?

Question

I am pregnant and would never imagine drinking during pregnancy. However, I went to see a show the other day and witnessed a pregnant woman take a shot of whiskey. So it got me pissed off and now I am wondering if the bartender could of told her no.

I guess I should add that she was quite pregnant, I am guessing 7-8 months based on her bump.

Answer 1

It depends on the CITY and the bar's policy. They city may or may not have laws against it. But this was just a topic on a radio show the other day in my city. A bar DOES have the right to refuse service to anyone (as long as it's posted) and if the bartender has permission from the owners, can refuse service. Otherwise, the bartended could lose his job. Even though to some it may be worth it, but maybe the bar tender had their own kids to support and needed the money. I know, it's hard to think what's in the woman's head though!

Answer 2

No. There is no law stating pregnant women are not allowed to drink. But there should be since some people are too stupid to figure this out for themselves. It's also not against the law for pregnant women to smoke. Go figure.

Being pregnant is not like being drunk. Being drunk impairs your judgement and the bar could be held liable. But since there is not law that lets a pregnant woman hold a bar resonsible for the condition of her baby after its born if the bar lets her drink, they aren't liable, hence they can and do serve here. And a bar cannot refuse service on ANY grounds they want. They cannot refuse service to someone just because they're black or in a wheelchair or blind, etc. so whoever said that doesn't know what they're talking about.

Answer 3

I live in Wisconsin, It is different here because we are the only state that requires bartenders to have a license to serve drinks. With that it gives us the right to turn away anyone for any reason. However, It is not illegal for a pregnant person to drink. Also, the owner of the bar may get pissed because you are turning away money.
About ten months ago I had two guys and a girl come into my bar, the girl was pregnant (not showing) but her boyfriend wanted to order her a drink. He asked me what I would recommend taking into consideration that she is pregnant and all. I told him that if she absolutely need to drink I would recommend getting a bottle of red wine, and mixing it with sprite or 7up. I also said that she should only have one glass. When I finished i told him that I don't agree with drinking when you are pregnant, and i would not serve her. She was fine with it, she didn't want a drink, he was kinda pissed about it.

My boss was sitting right there and she was cool with my decision.

Answer 4

They cannot refuse to serve her because she is pregnant.......although it is the bars right to refuse service to whomever they want...it must apply to a cause or reason. If the person was already drunk....or getting close. If that person had been barred from the Establishment. If the person starts trouble in the bar...things like that. She has the right to drink..its her choice.....
If the bartender refuses her because of his beliefs then he is violating her rights. It is sad.....and it's slot too bad she has such unconcern for her child......hopefully the baby will be born healthy......


To all the people who said "yes" that a bartender has the right to refuse service to anyone......you need to learn the law.......They CAN NOT refuse whenever they want..there has to be a valid reason and it has to follow the law.....drinking because you are pregnant is not against the law.....its stupid...but not legally wrong !!!!!

Answer 5

My mother was a bartender, she said she had never served a pregnant woman a drink...but she said that mostly guys will serve women a drink when pregnant because of ignorance or just to get a tip...it depends on the person...but they have every right to say that they cant have a drink

Answer 6

Yes. A business reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
It may or may not have been at the bartenders discretion though. The owners have the ultimate say so in who they will or will not serve and are only legally bound not to serve those that are already drunk.
Let's face it though.....it's the pregnant women's responsibility to look after the welfare of her child....not the bartenders. And while I personally would not have served her if it was my bar, she undoubtedly would have found the means to consume alcohol elsewhere.

Answer 7

The bar in question has a right to refuse service to anyone, and that would be the smart thing to do in the age of frivolous lawsuits. Think about it, woman drinks heavily, gives birth to special needs child, looks for someone to blame(besides herself), so she gets a personal injury lawyer to sue the bar.

Answer 8

Barrett's got it.
They can refuse anyone for any reason that doesn't have to do with race, age (other than being over 21) or religion. It's up to the bartender or the bar owner. But really, you have no way to know what that woman's condition is, or what she was doing. So, who's business is to tell her no?

Answer 9

Bartenders reserve the right to cut anyone off or not serve them, however it's about the bottom line, they dont have to raise the baby they're helping to harm, they just make the money, and in the end to them that's what it's about. It sucks, and I can't imagine serving someone alcohol knowing they were pregnant, but there's no law against it.

Answer 10

I believe they can if the bartender is the owner, but if he is not then and he does turn her down she can report him to the owners. Although they can refuse to give her drinks I highly doubt that some would because to some she is business and has money.