15/03/2026
Alcohol & Teenage Parties- Avoiding The Tangled Web
Navigating alcohol at parties whether it’s a young person or adult.
Within my security firm all staff are assigned to events where alcohol is managed - I will not assign staff to a BYO event or a supply event where alcohol is not served or managed responsibly - I do not want my staff used as punching bags when things go wrong !!
Public liability insurance for youth parties is expensive and this is because of the ‘ gung-ho operators !’ within the industry that assign unqualified, unlicensed, inexperienced or unsuitable staff.
It will come as no surprise to most people that alcohol is the biggest issue when it comes to youth parties. If alcohol is managed sensibly and responsibly, it will determine how the event unravels. We want the event to end in happy memories not tears!!
Whether the event is a supply event or BYO ( Bring Your Own ) responsible management/ service of alcohol is essential
From my experience ( 30 plus yrs) about 50% of the parties I assign crew too are supply events, while the other 50% work under the ‘managed BYO’ approach ( discussed at the pre - party assessment)
MANAGED BYO:
There are a number of positives when using the managed BYO system. (This system is discussed with clients at the pre-party assessment prior to the event )
Managed BYO can reduce the financial burden of supplying alcohol, and it also allows guests to choose what alcohol they bring.
Prevent their booze from being pinched by other guests
Some important points to remember with the ‘ BYO management’ system:
* Parental ( legal guardian) consent is still required- This is because the alcohol will be handled at the entry of the event. *I will discuss below in detail consent *
*During the pre party assessment I will provide parents with the compliance information ( legally reviewed) and demonstration of above*
* the BYO management system , as mentioned, avoids guests drinks being pinched !! Which is always an advantage!
• Alcohol should be conveyed in pre- mix cans only ‘no glass’
• A clear limit should be set on how much alcohol each guest can bring. This is discussed during the pre-party assessment
• Alcohol should be managed by an RSA ( Responsible Service of Alcohol) qualified person. In many cases I will provide an RSA staff member to assist.
•Ensure plenty of water is set up at point of service ( discussed at pre party assessment)
• Ensure plenty of food is available
• Ensure plenty of sober adults are helping ( 1 per 20 guests)
*The responsible management/service of alcohol is essential for a successful party *
SUPPLY:
If you decide to provide/ supply alcohol, ensure that adults bring proof of age, and minors have permission from a parent or guardian. Permission can be provided as a note, text message, email, or confirmed verbally.
Just a reminder to carry out proper due diligence when confirming the consent, as occasionally a young person may try to have a friend pretend to be their parent or guardian, or attempt something similar.
Again ensure alcohol is served responsibly and by someone who has preferably an RSA ( Responsible Service of Alcohol certification)
As I’ve mentioned before, for events where minors attend with alcohol (again we do not endorse underage drinking but we also have to be realistic!) , it is ultimately the parent/host who decides whether alcohol will be permitted into their home. While we know that minors should not be drinking, the reality is that many young people want to copy what the adults are doing.
We have had numerous events where the parents have decided that the event will be alcohol free - but then what happens is the young people pre load ( drink as much as possible before entry) and then are noticeably intoxicated at point of entry. My trained staff will observe the behaviour and demeanour of guests at entry and will deny entry if required. This is both for the safety of other guests, and the protection of the hosts property. They are then returned to their parents that is the duty of care service that we will provide
With alcohol so widely advertised and visible in everyday life, it’s not surprising that it becomes part of the conversation and celebration.
If you need clarity on any of the information pls direct message me or my details can be gained via google