What is the dream shop theory regarding alcohol service liability?

The dream shop theory refers to a legal principle where establishments that serve alcohol can be held accountable for damages that occur as a result of their service, particularly when they serve intoxicated individuals or minors. This theory operates on the premise that alcohol servers have a duty of care to their patrons and the broader community. If they fail to uphold this duty, they could be legally liable for any resulting harm or damages.

In the context of alcohol service, this means that if a bar or restaurant overserves a patron who then causes an accident, the establishment could potentially face lawsuits for contributing to that incident. This responsibility encourages servers to be vigilant in monitoring the level of intoxication of their customers to prevent harm.

The other options relate to different aspects of alcohol service management, such as cost management, restrictions on serving minors, and promoting responsible drinking, but they do not specifically address the legal ramifications of alcohol service as the dream shop theory does.