Bartending School
RODERFIELD, WV 24881

As you will see bartending is more than just memorizing a few drink recipes...

West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control

900 Pennsylvania Ave
Charleston, WV 25302
Phone: 304-356-5500
URL: https://abca.wv.gov

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WV Legal Age to Consume: 21
WV Legal Age to Serve: 18
WV Legal Age to Pour: 18

TIPS courses are not approved in this state. Training is highly encouraged to improve your effectiveness in serving or selling alcohol responsibly. Alcohol Server Training Law Non-Regulated No state laws pertaining to alcohol training Approved TIPS Programs Classroom: On-Premise, Off-Premise, Concessions, Gaming, and University Online: TIPS is valid for certification Requirements N/A Length of Certification TIPS Certification is valid for 3 years

Additional Info: West Virginia **does not have a Dram Shop Law** in the traditional sense. This means there's no specific legislation that explicitly outlines liability for bars, restaurants, or liquor stores that serve alcohol to intoxicated patrons who cause harm. However, unlike some states without Dram Shop Laws, West Virginia courts still recognize a concept called **Dram Shop liability** established through common law. This means lawsuits might be possible against establishments that serve alcohol under certain circumstances: * **Selling to Minors:** It is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 in West Virginia. If a minor gets intoxicated after being served at an establishment and causes harm, the establishment can be held liable. * **Serving Visibly Intoxicated People:** Similar to some Dram Shop Laws, West Virginia courts might allow lawsuits against establishments that knowingly serve alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated. This means someone exhibiting clear signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, stumbling, or incoherent behavior. If this person then causes harm due to their intoxication, the vendor could be held liable. **Key Points to Remember:** * The burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that the establishment knew or should have known the patron was intoxicated when serving them alcohol. * West Virginia courts consider factors like the amount of alcohol served, the patron's behavior, and the time frame in which the alcohol was consumed when determining liability. These factors can be difficult to prove. **Social Host Liability:** West Virginia **adheres to the common law rule** for social host liability. This means social hosts who provide alcohol to adults of legal drinking age generally cannot be sued if the person gets intoxicated and causes harm. There can be some liability for social hosts who serve alcohol to minors. **Importance of Consulting an Attorney:** Since West Virginia's Dram Shop Law relies on common law and navigating these situations can be complex, consulting with an attorney specializing in personal injury is crucial because of the absence of a codified Dram Shop Law. Here are some resources for further information: * Social Host and Dram Shop Liability Laws in West Virginia: [https://dtcwv.org/assets/pdf/notebook-articles/Social-Host-Liability.pdf](https://dtcwv.org/assets/pdf/notebook-articles/Social-Host-Liability.pdf) * West Virginia Dram Shop Liability Lawyer | Fairmont - Manchin Injury Law Group: [https://www.manchininjurylaw.com/](https://www.manchininjurylaw.com/)

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