Bar refuses to serve a pregnant woman

JuLeah - posted on 09/15/2011

I think it was fine for her to refuse service. To drink while pregnant??? How stupid

Jessica - posted on 09/15/2011

well... I think they were right. if you want to drink that ONE glass, then... I think you have the right to do so at home... just like the bar has the right to say "no. your pregnant" and not serve you. How do they know that is your one glass? how do they know you will not drink more later or have not already done so?





they DON'T. i say, good for them.

Jayde - posted on 10/05/2010

Yep so they shouldn't. I believe bars have/should have a duty of care when it comes to responsible service of alcohol. Tanya it's sad about that lady & the shots. :(

Tammy - posted on 09/27/2010

One glass of wine? Seriously, that is how they do it in some cultures. I can see if she was getting smashed, then I wouldnt serve her either. But a glass of wine? No harm in that!

Stevi - posted on 09/27/2010

I think it is not okay to drink alcohol when pregnant and way to go waitress!

Stevi - posted on 09/27/2010

I agree

Carolyn - posted on 09/27/2010

Good for the bar tender, they seem to have more common sense!

Becky - posted on 09/25/2010

This was taken off of the March of Dimes site.
How much alcohol is too much during pregnancy?
No level of drinking alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the patterns of drinking that place a baby at greatest risk for FASDs are binge drinking and drinking seven or more drinks per week (7). However, FASDs can occur in babies of women who drink less.

Researchers are taking a closer look at the more subtle effects of moderate and light drinking during pregnancy.

A 2002 study found that 14-year-old children whose mothers drank as little as one drink a week were significantly shorter and leaner and had a smaller head circumference (a possible indicator of brain size) than children of women who did not drink at all (8).
A 2001 study found that 6- and 7-year-old children of mothers who had as little as one drink a week during pregnancy were more likely than children of non-drinkers to have behavior problems, such as aggressive and delinquent behaviors. These researchers found that children whose mothers drank any alcohol during pregnancy were more than three times as likely as unexposed children to demonstrate delinquent behaviors (9).
A 2007 study suggested that female children of women who drank less than one drink a week were more likely to have behavioral and emotional problems at 4 and 8 years of age. The study also suggested similar effects in boys, but at higher levels of drinking (10).
Other studies report behavioral and learning problems in children exposed to moderate drinking during pregnancy, including attention and memory problems, hyperactivity, impulsivity, poor social and communication skills, psychiatric problems (including mood disorders) and alcohol and drug use (2).

Becky - posted on 09/25/2010

This is taken from the March of Dimes site...
How much alcohol is too much during pregnancy?
No level of drinking alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the patterns of drinking that place a baby at greatest risk for FASDs are binge drinking and drinking seven or more drinks per week (7). However, FASDs can occur in babies of women who drink less.

Researchers are taking a closer look at the more subtle effects of moderate and light drinking during pregnancy.

A 2002 study found that 14-year-old children whose mothers drank as little as one drink a week were significantly shorter and leaner and had a smaller head circumference (a possible indicator of brain size) than children of women who did not drink at all (8).
A 2001 study found that 6- and 7-year-old children of mothers who had as little as one drink a week during pregnancy were more likely than children of non-drinkers to have behavior problems, such as aggressive and delinquent behaviors. These researchers found that children whose mothers drank any alcohol during pregnancy were more than three times as likely as unexposed children to demonstrate delinquent behaviors (9).
A 2007 study suggested that female children of women who drank less than one drink a week were more likely to have behavioral and emotional problems at 4 and 8 years of age. The study also suggested similar effects in boys, but at higher levels of drinking (10).
Other studies report behavioral and learning problems in children exposed to moderate drinking during pregnancy, including attention and memory problems, hyperactivity, impulsivity, poor social and communication skills, psychiatric problems (including mood disorders) and alcohol and drug use (2).

Chatty - posted on 09/25/2010

Where are you facts to back up what you're saying Natasha? I'd like YOU to prove that having a glass of wine is harmful to a FETUS. Please, lets NOT get into a debate about the rights of the unborn fetus. ACK!

Natasha - posted on 09/25/2010

I'd also like to state for those mentioning that they legally only can refuse people under age or drunk, that one; that baby is definitely not of age and will get totally wasted off a glass of wine. And that the law is referring to the establishment, so as long as someone who works there is willing to serve her then they haven't broken the law either. One last opinion to chew; according to the law the fetus is not considered a person, however, ask anyone who's miss carried and they are morning for the lost of their baby. As a human being (life), not a fetus.

Natasha - posted on 09/25/2010

Laci really? Fat and cholesterol is something that's only bad when not done in moderation. There is no proven AMOUNT of alcohol that's safe when pregnant. No one will weight you and measure you belly and tell you can have one glass hear or there and be fine definitely. FAS is horrible to witness, and one glass can do it. it's just such a small amount usually the effects aren't noticeable. Not that being 200 hundred pounds is health in any case, they are just both stupid things to do.

Natasha - posted on 09/25/2010

Laws can be wrong. It used to be legally acceptable to kill people in horrible ways if someone didn't like you and accused you of being a witch. WTF? Also it's only been stated that on or two glasses of wine is probably not going to hurt the baby because wine is like 5% alcohol and one or two glasses it not a lot. However, it still goes to the baby and could possibly cause harm so why risk it. I don't care what the law is, if your going to feel like crap for serving her alcohol say no. Fyi i know someone who was told by her doctor that a little wine is ok and now her boy has FAS. She literally only had a glass once in a blue moon. Usually FAS gets less noticeable for age and I hope it's true for her son or education is going to be hard and painful. She cried a lot when she first found out too, but it is not something she can change now. i understand it's not the waitress' say on how a person lives their live, but someone should be thinking of the best interest of the child. More importantly someone should never be forced into doing something they think is wrong. So a waitress shouldn't be forced to give someone alcohol if they feel bad about doing it . Sorry Jo, i feel you can toast with apple cider and if someone is uncomfortable selling someone alcohol they have the right to say no. They can't safely assume the alcohol's not for the pregnant individual. Truly if you are pregnant and buying alcohol for someone else i see not reason to be upset if they refuse to sell it to you because you think drinking while pregnant is wrong too, and can understand the logic behind there action.

Becky - posted on 09/25/2010

I think bars have the right to NOT serve alcohol to ANYONE under certain circumstances. Refusing to serve alcohol to a pregnant lady is one of them. You want some Chardonnay, buy a bottle and have some at home.

Molly - posted on 09/24/2010

When I use the word "moral" I am not referring to it as people of faith sometimes do. I use the dictionary not the bible for my vocabulary catalog.



I think that this argument over who is right or wrong is like the arguments over birth control, abortion, and the morning after pills. One person is not going to think that the opposing opinion is the right one.



Food for thought:



It is my opinion that marajuana should be legal and I always will. I personaly do not consume marajuana in any kind of way. The sale and consumption of marajuana was made illegal because someone (people) thought it's consumption to be "morally" corrupt.



If you walk into a pharmacy to pick a new prescription, do you not expect the pharmacist to tell you that the prescription that you are waiting on is harmful to your health or do you think the pharmasist should keep her mouth shut becaue it is not his/her business and it's his/her job to serve you your medication?



In this question here are my parralels:

pharmacy = bar or state pharmacy (liquor store)

pharmacist = bartender

alchol = medication



Again this is just my oppinion.

Kim - posted on 09/23/2010

I say that if no laws are being broken, then when someone takes a job they are obligated to do that job. Although I don't think a pregnant woman should be taking chances by drinking alcohol, unless she is legally drunk or underage (which gives the waitress the right to refuse her) - the waitress's morals should have nothing to do with whether or not she is served a drink. She is not getting paid to serve moral judgement - she is getting paid to serve alcohol.

Molly - posted on 09/23/2010

While I beleive that it is ok to have a short glass of wine while pregnant, I did not drink any alcohol while pregnant.



I do think that every business owner has the right to his or her own beleifs and they have the right to exercise the right to refuse service, providing they are not discriminating. I do not think that this is discrimination as the server/buisness did not refuse all services.



Reguardless of my beleifs/morals, I would like to congratulate the waitress for sticking with hers. It is my opinion that people are far too easily diswayed from doing what they think is the right thing to do because they are worried what others might say, do, think, or sue them for.

Angela - posted on 09/22/2010

I say good on the waitress! There is no known "safe" amount of alcohol to have so it is recommended no alcohol during pregnancy.. The effects of foetal alcohol syndrome or foetal alcohol spectrum disorders can be devastating, (imagine looking at your child every day knowing that thier problems were 100% preventable but are there because of lack of self-control!) although this woman may drink at home perhaps the waitress gave her some food for thought - alcohol + pregnancy - not acceptable..

Denise - posted on 09/22/2010

I do not think that they should be able to refuse her. Now if she is getting drunk then yes, but on that basis. In most of Canada, a bar can refuse to serve someone who is intoxicated. This is an adult and she has the right to make her own decisions. I have drank wine when I was pregnant, never more than one glass in an evening, but that is my choice. My doctors were fine with it and there was never a problem. Some of the medication that women take during pregnancy is much more questionable than a little bit of alcohol.

Jaime - posted on 09/20/2010

But Amber, underage drinking is illegal...drinking while pregnant is not. So even though the pregnant woman might try and sue a bar/tavern if her baby is born with FAS or other problems, she would have a difficult time proving any negligence on the part of the establishment that lawfully served her alcohol. Bar staff is legally allowed to use discretion when serving alcohol to those that are within the legal age limit. If they deem a patron to be intoxicated, then they can cease service. If the pregnant woman had three drinks within a short period of time, then the server would have grounds to cut her off...but if she just flat-out refused service based on her own moral objections--not cool.

Amber - posted on 09/20/2010

In a court, it wouldn't really come down to she didn't have to drink it. It's the fact that they supplied it. I understand that the issue IS a little different, but think about underage drinking. The person doesn't have to drink it, it just has to be supplied.
I'm not saying that these two are the same. I'm just saying that's the way the law works.
And every reciept I've ever seen has the company logo across the top and is time stamped.

Isobel - posted on 09/20/2010

the reason nobody can refuse service is because they may not even really be pregnant! Like I said earlier...what if the woman just has a particularly unfortunate body type?

Starr - posted on 09/19/2010

First, she could sue them if there were any complications with her child in the future. Fetal alcohol syndrome being the primary reason I was thinking. She may not win the case, but the bar would recieve negative publicity and have to pay for their legal costs (and most likely hers as well).

But isnt that with saying she didn't have to drink it. If her baby came out with somehting wrong due to the alcohol then she shouldn't have drunk it it to begin with. Not to mention she would have to prove where she was and what she had to drink.

Amber - posted on 09/19/2010

Dana~ Oh how I love debating with you :) You ask great questions.
First, she could sue them if there were any complications with her child in the future. Fetal alcohol syndrome being the primary reason I was thinking. She may not win the case, but the bar would recieve negative publicity and have to pay for their legal costs (and most likely hers as well).
No, I do not feel that it is discrimination because bars where I live are allowed to refuse service to anybody. It is not manditory to serve to a person if you are a private business owner.
IF this were a government subsidized establishment that would make a difference; however, bars are not. So, the owners have a right to refuse service to any persons within their privately owned business that they want to, for any reason.
Basically, she does not have to choose to eat or drink at that particular establishment. She has the option to leave and take her business elsewhere. They aren't telling her that she can't be there and that they won't serve her at all, THAT would be discrimination.

Kim - posted on 09/19/2010

When that girl took the job at the store that sold condoms, she surely knew there would be people buying them - or else they wouldn't have sold them in the first place. So if she had such moral beliefs that would interfere with her doing the job she was hired to do, she shouldn't have worked there in the first place. She had no right to make the woman go to another cashier based on what she thought was right or wrong. It wasn't her place to judge the customer, and if I were her boss I would have fired her.

Bernadette - posted on 09/19/2010

there are a lot of things that aren't against the law, and people still sue and win over them. All the time. Shows that the justice system is seriously flawed, but unfortunately it happens. You can sue anyone for personal injury if you (or your lawyer, who knows all the loopholes) can show that there is even a possibility that someone else's actions could have contributed in any way. Like the woman who ordered a coffee from McDonald's and sent it back saying it wasn't hot enough. And then, when the gave her a hot one she spilled it on herself and sued because 'there was no warning on the cup that it was hot'!!!!!!!!! I don't really know where people get off doing this kind of thing - what happened to taking responsibility for your own choices and actions? But people will do anything to make a quick buck, and they are getting away with it. If this woman was served alcohol and something happened to the baby, and the doctor said that there was a possibility it was related to alcohol, then yes the woman probably could sue and even get away with winning the case. It's sad that the justice system lets people get away with this, but it happens and often they win. And why would people take responsibility for their own actions when these sort of cases are even being allowed to go to court, let alone having it ruled in their favour?

Jaime - posted on 09/18/2010

I looked through my smart serve book tonight and read up on the 'liquor license act' (I live in Canada) and it doesn't say anywhere that a bar owner has the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. A bar owner has the right to refuse service to someone that is already intoxicated or someone that is deemed troublesome to the business (gang members). It makes no mention of servers having the right to refuse service to someone based on their personal, moral reasons. If a waitresses served three drinks to a pregnant woman in under an hour or even within two hours, then she could legitimately refuse to serve a fourth based on the legal assertion that someone is deemed drunk at that point....regardless of how coherent they are.

I am not suggesting that all pregnant women should toddle on up to the bar and get shit faced at happy hour, but if a pregnant woman is dining out or having some drinks with friends, then she is perfectly within her right to do so.

Chatty - posted on 09/18/2010

Amber, I want to comment on what you said.



"But they could potentially refuse for legal reasons.

Is it against the law? No. But that woman could sue them later. And they could lose a substantial amount of money in a lawsuit for simply serving a pregnant woman a drink.

It is safer to be cautious and risk upseting one client than it would be to give in and lose your business later due to complications."



If you admit that drinking while pregnant is not against the law then how could they "potentially refuse for legal reasons"? How could she sue them later? What would she sue them for?



Would they not in fact be discriminating against her and therefore opening themselves up to a lawsuit by HER but for very different reason then you've implied? I don't understand how they could or would "lose a substantial amount of money in a lawsuit for simply serving a pregnant woman a drink." It's not against the law.



"It is safer to be cautious and risk upseting one client than it would be to give in and lose your business later due to complications."



OR, humor me, she could sue them for discriminating against her. THAT could cost them a pretty penny. Unless she's drunk or underage then I don't see how they can refuse her service? Not without discriminating and letting their moral beliefs interfere....it's wrong.

Barb - posted on 09/18/2010

Good for that waitress!! I have seen signs in alot of privately owned establishments that they have the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason and this is certainly a very good reason in my book.



As far as prescribing a glass of wine to women, i've heard of that, and i partake, one glass of red wine every evening. It is very good for you, helps clean out the arteries, relaxes you into a good nights sleep, is full of anti oxidants as well as the sugar in it feeds your liver for the night so it can help you loose weight while you sleep. There's other benefits to it as well if you wish to research it.



But i don't believe this is a prescription for pregnant women with maturing a developing child. If that was the case we would be giving them a baby bottle of wine before they went to bed and they'd be sleeping all night at 2 days old.

Amber - posted on 09/18/2010

I'm kind of torn on this issue...not because I think they have a moral right to say whether she can drink it or not. But they could potentially refuse for legal reasons.
Is it against the law? No. But that woman could sue them later. And they could lose a substantial amount of money in a lawsuit for simply serving a pregnant woman a drink.
It is safer to be cautious and risk upseting one client than it would be to give in and lose your business later due to complications.

Chatty - posted on 09/17/2010

I don't agree with that. While at work that girl doesn't have the right to make someone go through a different check out just because SHE doesn't believe in condoms. That's insane. If she doesn't wanna sell condoms then she needs to find another job or they need to put a sign above her isle...."I REFUSE TO SELL CONDOMS". I can't believe the store backed her.

Bernadette - posted on 09/17/2010

I personally don't drink at all while pregnant, although the doctor has said that it's ok to have one or two every now and then. As for someone refusing service, well I'm not too sure about that one. I guess if it was a moral dilemma for the waitress, then she had to do the right thing for herself. The woman wanting the drink was free to get a drink elsewhere if she really wanted to. There was a case here a few years ago (not the same, but similar principles I guess) where a young girl working in a supermarket refused to serve a woman buying condoms. The girl said that she refused for moral reasons, because her religion doesn't believe in the use of contraception. She did say to the woman that she was free to go to another checkout, but that she wasn't able to sell her the condoms herself. I think that this was fair enough as she didn't tell the woman she couldn't buy the condoms, just that she couldn't be the one to serve her. Of course the woman complained and went to the newspaper with the story, saying that it was discrimination but the managers of the supermarket backed the employee, saying that she also has her rights to her own religious beliefs. I think that this was fair enough, as you can't expect someone to go against their own beliefs just because they might be accused of discrimination. The woman was free to buy her condoms from another cashier, but she refused as she wanted to force the young girl to go against her beliefs and serve her anyway. And in a way, I suppose it could have been the same thing for the bartender - if she didn't feel it was right to serve alcohol to a pregnant woman in case it affects the baby, then fair enough. Morally, I don't think I'd want that on my head either in case something did go wrong. Sure, it is the mother's choice to drink if she wants to, but she could have been served by someone else who didn't have issues with it.

Jennifer - posted on 09/17/2010

Dana, I was more referring to refusing service to anyone whom could turn around and try to hold the server responsible for their own stupidity. Unfortunately in this "sue happy/it's not my fault" society I could definitely see this happening.

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2010

well here's a little monkey wrench for ya...I happen to know 2 women who look perpetually 7 months pregnant...they don't look over weight, they look PREGNANT. I know one of them because I freaked out one night that the bar was serving her all night long and she was drunk (oops) and the other I know from school has actually been told off for buying wine for a dinner party...:/

Chatty - posted on 09/17/2010

Jennifer, you said, "I think the server had the right to refuse service the same way she can refuse service to someone who is drunk, known to be driving or underage."

No! The difference is driving drunk and underage drinking are ILLEGAL. You can think a pregnant women having a glass of wine is MORALLY wrong but until it becomes illegal the server had NO right to refuse service!

Jennifer - posted on 09/17/2010

I think the server had the right to refuse service the same way she can refuse service to someone who is drunk, known to be driving or underage. If the pregnant lady really wanted to get her drink on she could just go to another bar as I'm sure it's few and far between that anyone would say anything despite how they may feel about it.

I used to bar tend and had a few pregnant women belly up to the bar. I refused to serve them personally but didn't prevent one of the other bar tenders from serving them. The staff knew how I felt about it after the first time so someone else would automatically wait on any visibly pregnant women.
By the way it was a straight up bar I worked at, we didn't serve food so if you were there it was to drink.
The servers and bar tenders here have to be certified to serve alcohol and in doing so assume responsibility for who they serve to which opens them to lawsuits, fines and jail times. I can just imagine some dumb woman showing up 9 months down the road with a disabled child trying to sue the bar and bar tender for serving her.

Completely preventable and tragic, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of mental retardation in America today.

Tammy - posted on 09/17/2010

I hardly think 1 glass of Chardonnay is gunna do anything! I'd understand if she was drunk or had been up to the bar a few times knocking back glass after glass. but she was just out with her hubby on a special occasion ordering 1 drink. Its stupid that the bar didnt serve her! I didnt drink at all when I was pregnant with my 2 kids and I dont drink with my current pregnancy as that is my choice, id rather not take the risk, but I wouldnt judge another mum having just the odd glass once in a while. But what I don't get is if its ok to refuse alcohol to a pregnant lady in a bar why aint the stores refusing to sell cigarettes to pregnant ladies then? I think the bar person was letting their personal opinion interfere with their job here and should have been disciplined for it

Ashley=) - posted on 09/17/2010

There's no going to the extreme on it all, no smoking , alcohol and drugs are the main things any doctor will tell you to give up.As for food there is certain things you cant eat, your doctor goes through this once your pregnancy is confirmed.Its simple.You smoke at least cut down..give up your alcohol consumption to the recommend units per day.Cut down on drugs or make a decision for the unborn baby and give up all for the time you carry the child if you are doing one or more of these things,Simple.



Its your choice but i personally would not be offended if i were refused i should no better and not have a stranger pointing it out to me..my own personally view here.We all do what we are comfortable doing many wont do anything that could harm there babys especially the main harmful risks that i have stated here.At the end of it many will do what the want, it is there choice what they are comfortable taking while there carrying an unborn child.

Mollie - posted on 09/16/2010

For one, how did the waitress know she was pregnant? She could have been just over-weight and not pregnant. The choice to drink any alcohol, whether it be one sip or one glass is personal decision between expectant mother, doctor and spouse/partner. I used to go to the bar I worked at and would purchase alcohol while pregnant and serve it to my mom or husband and friends. Some people are too nosey.

Sheila - posted on 09/16/2010

I don't think it is right that the waitress refused her service. I had a glass of wine here and there (perhaps 4 in the entire time I was pregnant) and each time I felt guilty. I don't think pregnant women should feel bad about responsible decisions they make. I also had coffee and seafood along with the occasional piece of brie...all banned substances... oh, and I have a cat. I realise alcohol causes AFS and as an Alcohol and Drug clinician I have seen the effects of that first hand. It isn't pretty. However, you can't bubble wrap pregnant women otherwise we all would have been locked in a cage for 9 months and have every action closely monitored. A happy, relaxed (preferably not blind drunk) mum is better than a stressed out zombie.

Kim - posted on 09/16/2010

Thats my point about servers or cashiers making decisions based on their personal beliefs. The smokes werent even for you....but he assumed they were. I think pregnant women are under so much public scrutinity that it could make a woman who had never had a drink in her life want one just to releive the stess. Its only illegal to sell a minor cigarettes here. No laws about pregnant ladies who may be buying them for themselves or more likely someone else to begin with.

Chatty - posted on 09/16/2010

Interesting! Still NOT ok though....NONE of his business!

K. - posted on 09/16/2010

I was pregnant and went into a gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes for my husband. The cashier told me that they didn't sell cigarettes to minors. I showed him my ID again and said I wasn't a minor, he pointed to my stomach and said "Well that one is". That always stuck with me.

Chatty - posted on 09/16/2010

Haha! LOVE the McDonald's analogy! AWESOME! Not quite the same as drinking while pregnant but effective, nonetheless. Funny too!

Kim - posted on 09/16/2010

I think you are right Dana. If its not against the law, then I don't think an individual server has the right to refuse a drink to anyone who is legal drinking age - pregnant or not. And alcohol is alcohol, you can get just as drunk on wine, beer, or hard liquor. I was a bartender once in a hotel, a small piano bar that mostly catered to hotel guests. There was only one reason I was allowed to refuse service to anyone: Becauase they were underage. If there was a situation where I thought the person shouldn't have a drink - like they were already drunk and causing a disturbance I was to call my supervisor or security to deal with it. Out and out refusing a drunk person a drink is just going to cause him/her to get angry and cause a worse disturbance. Or if they were not hotel guests and I suspected they might be driving, I was supposed to get the supervisor to deal with that too. If a bartender knowingly serves an intoxicated person who is driving they can be sued here. Not gonna take a chance, but it wasn't my place to do the refusing. If a pregnant woman came in for a drink, I might not think its the smartest idea in the world - but I have no right to legally refuse her. If I worked at McDonald's I would probably think a fat person shouldn't be eating a supersize meal, but thats my opinion and I have no right to refuse him the food. So unless it becomes the Law that pregnant women can't be served alcohol, then the waitress had no right to refuse her.

Chatty - posted on 09/16/2010

I'm sorry, but I'm confused. Why does it matter what type of alcohol she's ordering? It's her body. I might not agree with something someone does but it's not my right to force my beliefs on someone else.

Cyndel - posted on 09/16/2010

I could understand hard alcohol, but a glass of Chardonnay? Seems silly. I personally don't drink because of family history, but if I did I wouldn't mind a glass of wine once in a while even while prego...though rarely.

Alison - posted on 09/16/2010

You've gotta draw the line somewhere! How about hair color, nail polish, cleaning products, HOT DOGS! Nope, it's the mothers job to make these decisions and everyone draws the line at a different place.

Chatty - posted on 09/16/2010

Her body, her choice. Unless there's some law that states the bar is allowed to refuse service for ANY reason or more specifically a law about pregnant women and drinking, then it's none of their business.

Ashley=) - posted on 09/16/2010

If i were the waitress i wouldnt oppose to a pregnant woman having a glass of wine or what ever but i wouldnt serve personally a woman sitting there to drink all day or more than two drinks, i would refuse to serve and allow a member of staff who was comfortable doing it to.If a sign wasnt up or a law to ban pregnant women from being served then its not any one's legal buisness to do so..but it is your right personally to take a stand if you are not comfortable to do it..and yes i would if the waitress or barmaid.Only if the woman was well over two basically drinking all day.A bar cant refuse the woman but a member of staff can on there own personal view of it being wrong .The bar, really it has no choice,its the woman's choice what she does &someone will have to serve if not the waitress who opposed.Before i had kids we had a woman very pregant drinking for the whole day, i was young and i didnt give it a thought really , i knew it wasnt right but no body said anything.I was a waitress at the time.