Some version of self-service is allowed in Connecticut, subject to specific oversight and control.
Self-Pour Machines
Self-pour machines are allowed in Connecticut at on-premises locations only. Generally speaking, a self-pour machine is capable of dispensing alcoholic beverages in a pre-determined amount directly to a person, usually into a glass or other receptacle. There are several rules for self-pour:
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Requires Liquor Control approval to use a self-pour system.
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The self-pour system must be under constant video surveillance while the premises is open with footage maintained for sixty days.
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The self-pour system can only be accessed by an RFID device that the customer receives from an employee. An RFID device is a card, wristband or other item that uses electromagnetic fields, ultra-high frequency radio waves or other technology to uniquely identify the user.
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Each activation of the self-pour system by an RFID device is limited to 32 ounces of beer, 32 ounces of cider not exceeding six percent alcohol by volume, or 10 ounces of wine. Spirits are not allowed in a self-pour system. The full amount need not be used in one pour. A customer can do a “tastings” up to the full amount allowed, but cannot mix different of classes of alcohol (namely, beer, wine and cider). For example, a consumer could do ten 1 ounces tastings of wine under one activation, but could not do 2 ounces of wine and 30 ounces of beer. The RFID must deactivate once the quantity limit has been reached.
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A consumer may get the RFID device reactivated an additional time provided the consumer is not intoxicated and has substantially finished their first activation.
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RFIDs must be securely stored and may only be used during legal hours of alcohol service. The premises must be able to deactivate the RFIDs at any time.
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Only one RFID device may be given to a patron. The patron must show their legal ID and a debit card, credit card, or mobile payment application that matches the name on the ID. The premises shall record the patrons age in a log that shell be kept for a period of three years.
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The brand name of the alcoholic beverage must be displayed at the dispensing spigot or nozzle so the customer knows which beverage they are receiving.
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The system can only dispense from the container received from the manufacturer or wholesaler.
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Copper or lead tubing cannot be used to transfer the alcoholic beverage through the system.
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The self-pour system must be under constant video surveillance while the premises is open with footage maintained for sixty days.
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The system shall be cleaned weekly and calibrated monthly.
Vending Machines
For this discussion, “vending machine” means an automated machine that dispenses a can, bottle, or other serving of alcohol to a consumer after cash or a credit card activates the machine (similar to a soda or snack vending machine).
Vending machines are not allowed to sell alcohol, unless they can meet the self-pour standards explained above. In other words, they would be confined to on-premises consumption locations, require activation by an RFID device, and be limited in the quantities dispensed.
A vending machine that requires a person to scan a license or other form of ID is not sufficient in Connecticut.