NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - In Neenah, the City Council has approved a compromise plan to make sure bartenders are not drunk when serving their customers.
Aldermen voted Wednesday night to let bartenders drink a little while they're on the job -- but they must stay under the 0.08 blood alcohol limit for drivers.
It was first proposed in February that servers not be allowed to share a drink with those on the other side of the bar. Tavern owners objected, and that led to the new compromise.
Alderman Shiloh Ramos said bartenders have to make judgments about whether customers have had one too many -- so it's important that they not be impaired by alcohol themselves.
Not many places in Wisconsin regulate drinking behind the bar. La Crosse, Madison, and Jackson are among those that do.
Green Bay considered a total ban on drinking by bartenders -- but an alderman withdrew it after being told in no uncertain terms that, "alcohol is part of the culture" in Wisconsin.