A 19-year-old can legally serve alcoholic beverages in a restaurant in many U.S. states, but the specific age requirements vary significantly by state and sometimes even by city or municipality. Generally:
- In 26 states, individuals as young as 18 can legally serve alcohol, and several states allow serving under supervision if under 21.
- Some states, like Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and West Virginia, require servers and bartenders to be 21.
- In many places, a 19-year-old may serve alcohol if supervised by someone over 21.
- Local laws may impose stricter rules than state laws. For example, Illinois permits serving alcohol at 18, but Chicago requires servers to be 21.
- Certain states allow younger servers under specific conditions, such as working in full-service restaurants or during specified hours.
Therefore, a 19-year-old can serve alcohol legally in a restaurant depending on the state laws and local regulations, often with or without supervision by someone over 21.
