Short answer: in Illinois, anyone who serves alcohol at retail or checks IDs must complete BASSET training. Both Bar Society bartenders are BASSET certified. This is general information, not legal advice.
What BASSET is
BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) is Illinois's required responsible-service training. Certificates last 3 years (235 ILCS 5/6-27.1).
21 and over, every time
Illinois law prohibits giving or serving alcohol to anyone under 21, and checking a government ID is the standard defense (235 ILCS 5/6-16). We check IDs when in doubt and stop serving anyone who has had too much.
Do you need a liquor license for a private party?
When you provide the alcohol and serve it free to invited guests, no sale is happening. If your event sells tickets that include drinks, sells drink tickets or runs a cash bar, a licensed seller is required. Ask your venue, and when in doubt, check with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
What venues usually ask for
- Proof of BASSET for each bartender
- A certificate of insurance
- A load-in time and setup space
Updated October 2026.