I manage a nightclub in LA currently and have managed in Vegas as well. I can only speak for those two places. Most nightclubs will only hire 21+ as a preference (even if they do serve food), but technically if you are serving food and alcohol you can serve it at 18+. If you are only serving alcohol then you must be 21+. That’s in LA. In Vegas you must be 21 to serve any alcohol (even if you are a food AND alcohol server).

I know in Ohio, to serve open liquor, ie; mixed drinks, you must be 19. That is the law. To actually make the drinks, bartending you must be 21. So it really boils down to the establishment that you are trying to work.

18 year’s old in the US.

I think this MAY vary by state. Generally you have to be 18 to serve drinks, but over 21 if you want to actually be a bartender or anything like that- if you’re actually mixing the drinks, etc is the difference. This also may even vary by location since some places will have their own age requirements, even if it’s more than the law states. Call places and ask when you are setting up interviews.

It depends on your state. In Indiana, you have to be 21 to handle alcohol in any way, but in Wisconsin, you can bartend at 18. So it all depends on where you live.

Actually at 18 you are leagally able to handle and serve alcohol at any bar, nightclub or restaurant as long as you are not drinking it. Even if a bar is 21 and up only, you can be employed there and serve liquor or beer with no problem, even though many times these bars prefer to only hire people of age. But as far as being a cocktail waitress, you have no problem doing it legally and they make a ton of money in tips, more than most other jobs for someone who is 19. Oh yeah, and finish school!

You only need to be 18 to serve alcohol. If a certain bar has their own policy thats one thing, but I was a bar manager and I had plenty of 18-21 year olds cocktailing for me. I started when I was 18.

It depends on your state, but I think in most states, you have to be 18 to serve alcohol.

I hope becoming a Hooters girl isn’t your goal in life!!!

You can work in a restaurant and be a waitress/server who serves alcohol at 18 or 19 in most states, but you cannot usually be a cocktail waitress until 21. “cocktail waitress” usually implies that you are working at a nightclub, bar, or show club and you would not be allowed in if you were under 21 as a customer, so they probably would not hire you as a cocktail waitress.