Is it illegal to sell [i]triple[/i] vodkas in a bars/clubs?
Discussion
In a discussion at work yesterday I was informed that it is illegal to sell more than a double measure in any single glass, ie. if a customer was to order a triple vodka you are obliged to divide it between two glasses. Given that the people I work with are mostly stupid and often drunk themselves I called bullst on this. Was I correct in thinking that they had invented that rule themselves or is there indeed some unusual limit to the number of shots that can be pored into any one glass given that the alcoholic content can vary from 15 to 40% ABV.
I know it's a silly question but I have found nothing on Google.
ETA: We do sell mixers/pitchers of drink that contain more than 2 measures of spirit but these are intended for sharing.
I know it's a silly question but I have found nothing on Google.
ETA: We do sell mixers/pitchers of drink that contain more than 2 measures of spirit but these are intended for sharing.
Edited by Mr Sparkle on Wednesday 27th July 07:15
Bought plenty of tripples and even quadruples for bets/dares over the years in a variety of establishments in a variety of areas of the country. It's probably a little White lie someone started to try to prevent anti social drinking.
I was once told it was illegal to serve a turbo shandy, where half a pint of lager is in a pint glass and a bottle of smirnoff ice is added: the bar owner said he couldn't legally sell that drink, which was clearly bullst, but was likely his way of backing up his rule against a drink that generally went hand and hand with thuggish behaviour.
I was once told it was illegal to serve a turbo shandy, where half a pint of lager is in a pint glass and a bottle of smirnoff ice is added: the bar owner said he couldn't legally sell that drink, which was clearly bullst, but was likely his way of backing up his rule against a drink that generally went hand and hand with thuggish behaviour.
Nick3point2 said:
Bought plenty of tripples and even quadruples for bets/dares over the years in a variety of establishments in a variety of areas of the country. It's probably a little White lie someone started to try to prevent anti social drinking.
I was once told it was illegal to serve a turbo shandy, where half a pint of lager is in a pint glass and a bottle of smirnoff ice is added: the bar owner said he couldn't legally sell that drink, which was clearly bullst, but was likely his way of backing up his rule against a drink that generally went hand and hand with thuggish behaviour.
I think all alcoholic drink has to be sold in measures, so he could sell it if he poured the beer into a half pint glass first and then tipped into the pint glass after. I don't see any reason why you couldn't pour the Smirnoff Ice into the glass as well, but the customer would have to buy the whole bottle.I was once told it was illegal to serve a turbo shandy, where half a pint of lager is in a pint glass and a bottle of smirnoff ice is added: the bar owner said he couldn't legally sell that drink, which was clearly bullst, but was likely his way of backing up his rule against a drink that generally went hand and hand with thuggish behaviour.
It was probably his way of trying to get out of pouring a pain in the arse drink, that, as you say is likely to be drunk by those who will end up in a ruck.
Disclaimer.
I have racked my memory from when I worked in the pub trade. I could be talking complete horlicks, but then what's new on this website.
Mr Sparkle said:
In a discussion at work yesterday I was informed that it is illegal to sell more than a double measure in any single glass, ie. if a customer was to order a triple vodka you are obliged to divide it between two glasses.
I think the reason you can't find anything is because it is a matter for the discretion of the licencee, not by any Act or Statutory Instrument.Many pubs are owned by large corporates so the factor in play is likely to be their corporate social responsibilty guidelines. A tenant landlord is not going to bite the hand that feeds him/her.
Many SU bars have a policy of a complete ban on triple measures.
Mr Sparkle said:
if a customer was to order a triple vodka you are obliged to divide it between two glasses.
I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on the internet, but I call absolute bullst on this. I often drink long cocktails with three or four shots of alcohol in them. Even a Long Island Iced Tea has four shots in it.
ikarl said:
Newcastle recently on a stag do (April this year) and pretty every pub served 'triples' and i think it worked out to less than double the price of a single?!?!
i.e. £3 for a single vodka with mixer but it was £5 for a triple!!
Most bars in Newcastle (and certainly all of the ones in the Bigg Market/Quayside area) serve trebles. Usually dirt cheap too, there's one bar where you can get trebles for £2.50 I think, not too sure as it's definitely not the kind of place I'd frequent!i.e. £3 for a single vodka with mixer but it was £5 for a triple!!
Edit: Just checked - £1.95 for trebles, plus extra for draught mixer!
In Scotland, the issues are health protection, irresponsible drinking and so on.
It's not illegal to serve a triple, but if someone you served triples to was found ill or injured later, there could be a question of due diligence. It's the licencee coving themselves and their business, as they have to now.
It's not illegal to serve a triple, but if someone you served triples to was found ill or injured later, there could be a question of due diligence. It's the licencee coving themselves and their business, as they have to now.
Pub policy when I was at Uni was certainly that they would only serve more than two shots in one drink if it was a specific cocktail. They wouldn't do it just for increasing amounts. So one pub would happily offer 5 vodkas topped up with Red Bull in a pint glass, but they wouldn't sell you a triple whiskey. Likewise, the cocktail bar would only do it for you if you had a name for it.
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