 If you have a cash bar, use tickets. Offer alcohol-free drinks free of charge. Do not set the price of alcohol too low since this will encourage heavy drinking.

 Never serve minors. In addition to being illegal, inexperienced drinkers are most likely to drive irresponsibly and cause accidents while under the influence of alcohol.

 Check the photo identification of people you suspect are under 25 (twentyfive) years of age (passports, drivers licence, or military ID).

 Close your bar well before the scheduled end of the party.

Tip 3 - Provide plenty of good food

 Food consumption slows down the absorption of alcohol, thereby lowering a drinker's peak blood-alcohol level.

 Place a hors d'oeuvres table near the door, so people can begin to nibble as soon as they arrive, and before they have a drink.

 Don't serve a lot of salty snacks. These just make people thirstier - and they'll likely try to quench the thirst with alcohol, instead of water or soft drinks.

 Select hot and cold items as well as some foods that don't require any special temperature - like baked goods and snack mixes. Limit food safety concerns by always keeping cold foods cold, and hot foods hot.

Tip 4 - Provide a range of low and alcohol free options to your guests

 Place water, soda, juice and ice at stations around the room so that people can easily "freshen" their drinks without adding more alcohol.

 Feature attractive, alcohol free drinks.

 Make sure you have low-alcohol beers and wines in your bar selections.

 Lead by example. Don't point out the bar to each arriving guest. Take the attitude that cocktails are simply one form of refreshment, and that alcohol free drinks are just as acceptable.

Tip 5 - Arrange safe transport options

Investigate alternatives to driving for guests leaving your event, including:

 designated driver programs

 subsidized taxis

 local transit