Show All Answers

1. Do employees need to have bar cards?

On June 22, 2018, the City of Savannah removed the bar card requirement from the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance. However, employees are still required to have server training. Employers are encouraged to comply with their insurance requirements which may have other provisions regarding background checks for employees serving alcoholic beverages. 

2. Who is required to have server training?

Licensed Alcohol Caterers (Class A), Retail Consumption Dealers-on premise consumption (Class C), and Class H (Samples) are required to have their employees complete server training requirements.

Employees required to complete server training include managers, servers, bartenders, doorpersons, or any other employee with the responsibility for serving, mixing or dispensing alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.

3. When will the City begin to enforce the server training provisions?

The City is requiring that Licensed Alcohol Caterers (Class A), Retail Consumption Dealers on premise consumption (Class C), and Class H (Samples) have server training completed on or before September 15, 2018. 

After July 15, 2018, any new employee will need to complete the training no later than seven days after starting employment. 

4. How long will my server training certification be valid?

Server training certification will be valid for two years. Employees will have to renew their server training no less than 30 days prior to expiration.

5. Who provides server training?

There are several local and national providers of safe serving training.  Training shall, at a minimum, include alcohol awareness training.  Additional required topics may be identified by the City of Savannah City Manager.  If your organization requires assistance in identifying safe serving training agencies, please contact the City of Savannah Revenue Department.

6. If I have a bar card, will that satisfy my server training requirement?

If you have bar card that is not expired, it will satisfy the server training requirement. However, you will have to complete server training no less than 30 days prior to the expiration of your bar card.

7. I am an employer and want to know what will constitute “proof of completion of server training issued by the course-provider”?

Employers must maintain on their premise proof that their employees have server training, generally found in the form of a certificate from the trainer. The proof of completion may be a copy or photo, as long as it is legible and not expired.  Proof of completion must include the training date.

8. What time can I sell alcohol on Sundays currently?

Current law permits the sale of alcoholic beverages beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays through 2 a.m. on Monday mornings.

Extending Sunday Sales

On November 6, 2018, the City of Savannah will have a question on the 2018 General Election Ballot asking voters if they would like to extend Sunday hours for alcohol consumption on premises. The question will read:

Shall the governing authority of THE CITY OF SAVANNAH be authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes by the drink from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.” ( ) YES ( ) NO

If approved by residents in the City of Savannah, the new time will go into effect on January 1, 2019.

9. Who can I contact with additional questions about the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance?

If you have any questions, please contact the Revenue Department Business Tax and Alcohol Licensing Unit at (912) 651-6450 or alcohol@savannahga.gov .