You are closing down for the night, and a patron who has been moderately drinking throughout the evening insists on 'one for the road' just after last call (which was 1:00 AM). You notice they are visibly impaired (slow movements, repetitive speech). Your closing time is 1:30 AM. What is your legal and most responsible next step?

Question: You are closing down for the night, and a patron who has been moderately drinking throughout the evening insists on 'one for the road' just after last call (which was 1:00 AM). You notice they are visibly impaired (slow movements, repetitive speech). Your closing time is 1:30 AM. What is your legal and most responsible next step?

Answer options: ✅ Politely explain that last call has passed and, due to their visible impairment, you cannot serve them further alcohol.

• Serve them a small, low-alcohol beverage, but only if they agree to leave immediately after finishing it.
• Refuse the drink but allow them to finish any remaining alcoholic beverages they already have at their table.
• Suggest a strong coffee or soda as an alternative, implying it will help them sober up before they leave.

Correct answer: Politely explain that last call has passed and, due to their visible impairment, you cannot serve them further alcohol.

Explanation: It is illegal to serve alcohol after last call and it is also illegal to serve alcohol to an intoxicated person. Being visibly impaired, even moderately, combined with the passed last call mandates refusal. Option A correctly addresses both the time restriction and the patron's state. Option B is illegal on both counts. Option C is problematic because allowing an intoxicated person to continue drinking previously served alcohol still contributes to their intoxication and potential liability. Option D is unhelpful as coffee does not sober up an intoxicated person.