Delaware Signs New Law Lowering Bartending Age

State of DE - Delaware has a new law on the books for bartenders and alcohol servers. Governor Matt Meyer signed House Bill 195 into law on June 10, 2026, changing the state's bartending age and server training rules.

Under the new law, workers who are 18, 19, or 20 years old can sell and serve alcoholic drinks.

They can also prepare or mix drinks, but only when someone 21 or older is working behind the bar with them at the same time.

High school students face a stricter rule. Students under 19 who are enrolled in high school or a vocational or technical school program can sell or serve alcohol, but they cannot prepare, pour, or mix any alcoholic drinks.

The new age rules apply to a wide range of businesses. This includes restaurants, taverns, taprooms, beer gardens, clubs, catering companies, sports facilities, and other establishments licensed to serve alcohol on site.

Package stores are not included under the new law. The age rules there stay the same as before.

One rule remains firmly in place no matter what. No one under 21 can work in any capacity at a tavern or taproom that offers sexually oriented entertainment.

Server training requirements are changing too. Alcohol servers will now need to renew their responsible server training certification every two years instead of every four years.

Anyone who already holds a valid certification does not need to recertify right away. That certification stays valid until it expires, and the new one issued after that will last two years.

State Rep. K. Williams and State Sen. Walsh sponsored House Bill 195. Rep. Michael Smith and Sens. Lockman and Mantzavinos also signed on in support.

Local restaurants, bars, and clubs that employ teens and young adults will need to review these changes. The new age and training rules are already in effect statewide.