Your establishment's liquor licence specifies a maximum capacity of 150 patrons. During a particularly busy event, you estimate there are at least 160 customers inside. What is your primary immediate legal responsibility?

Question: Your establishment's liquor licence specifies a maximum capacity of 150 patrons. During a particularly busy event, you estimate there are at least 160 customers inside. What is your primary immediate legal responsibility?

Answer options:

• Continue service as normal, but monitor for overcrowding leading to safety hazards. ✅ Inform your manager and immediately stop admitting new patrons, and if possible, begin to gently direct existing patrons to exit.
• Call the AGCO to report the capacity violation.
• Begin a 'last call' for alcohol to facilitate a quicker exit of patrons.

Correct answer: Inform your manager and immediately stop admitting new patrons, and if possible, begin to gently direct existing patrons to exit.

Explanation: Operating over the maximum licensed capacity is a violation of the LLCA and a significant safety risk. The immediate primary legal responsibility is to stop admitting new patrons and work to reduce the patron count to below the licensed maximum. Informing the manager is part of the operational response. Calling the AGCO is a consequence of the violation, not an immediate preventative action. A 'last call' doesn't directly address the immediate issue of being over capacity.