Once in a while, I'll see a wine and cheese, but I've never seen anybody drink more than a small glass of wine or bubbly.

Limited offerings, and limited serving times:

     The builders offer them, usually from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.   Beer and wine only. 

     Some Agents/Brokers serve beer and wine at Broker's Opens.  Again, the hours are limited.

    Our Board Office has several events during the year, the wine and beer comes out after 5:00PM.

     I assume that each "host" has a  liability policy in place.  

We use to see a few broker opens, but not so much anymore. There use to be alcohol served. I haven't heard of that ever being a problem, though. 

We don't see many broker opens anymore, because they are a waste of time. 

We do have a lot of those in the evenings here, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington but, there is no 'policing' of guests. I assume that most do what I do - rarely does anyone have more than one glass of champagne or wine and the time that we have them are typically very short so, we've never had any issues here.

I'm in the minority here. We do Broker Opens often. They are well attended and food and alcohol are served. I've never known anyone to have more than one glass of wine as they wander and possibly another as they gather and talk. We often do progressive Broker Open Houses in an area where three or four nearby listings will be held open and different offerings will be at each location (appetizers, salad, main course, dessert). They are an EXCELLENT way to make and build relationships. 

The law (in many states including Colorado) says that you as the 'social host' are liable ONLY if you OVER-serve and/or recklessly encourage a guest to continue drinking when it is clear they are drunk. In decades of doing this, I've never once seen anyone have more than one or two small glasses. 

Broker Opens in our area are a big deal.

I have seen it done, mostly it the builders that do it, here.

On some occasions, there have been some twilight broker's open houses with wine.   I'm not sure how it is handled.   

Some do at the Luxury Open Houses generally I find the quality of the wine is so poor I do not indulge others do and people are good two small glasses the equivalent of less than one glass of wine...Endre

Not something that I would do, it is a business presentation, not a party.

I've never attended one as they are no longer popular in my area.  I do know many Realtors who are now sober who speak about making the rounds at the different Opens, having a few drinks at each. Scary times!  Now, the saying is "Arrive Alive, Don't Drink and Drive!"

We have broker open house tours almost everyday. They're specific to a neighborhood and type of property. Usually one listing serves lunch and one serves dessert. Occasionaly wine is served especially at high end properties.

I just received an email for a Penthouse Luxury Open House during lunchtime 12:30-2PM. It's for an $8.95M 6 bedroom triplex with three terraces.

Come Enjoy The Jingle And Mingle With Festive Foods From The Smith Resturant and Vintage Côtes du Rhône Wines

Such events are NOT an open bar.

One should expect in a community of professionals that the host as well as the guest are fully enabled to impose conditions regarding creating conditions of liability.

If one sought environments of GUARANTEED  safety, no risk, they would realize safety does not exist in their own home. All we can do is Manage the exposure to risk. That may involve asserting authority in a situation.

What is most likely to occur is brokers will impose their policy on agents.

As for me, if the host has the Chardonnay chilled, I will enjoy a taste.

IF I were to become involved in a crash, it will most likely be due to distraction from checking that GPS. But my attorney will look for someone else to blame. It is the AMERICAN way.

Have never attended one

I have always believed it is a liability and have not witness Broker opens lately serving. 

Yes, we do in Ft. Worth.  I've never noticed an agent over drinking. It's more of a draw for a crowd. Wine & cheese ..  Networking for higher end homes.  

No,

The liability is enormous.  A

I seldom go to these, and actually I have not seen one in many months

That's a great question Paul. I've been to all-out extravagant open houses of luxury homes, both public and brokers only, where alcohol flows freely - in all senses of the words. Always asked myself that question.

And brokerage holiday parties, and other events where drinks are 'on the house'...

I can only guess that we are all responsible adults.

There is an occasional wine & cheese brokers opinion of high end properties, but no alcohol at the rest. 

I've seen a few "Champagne under the stars" or Wine & Cheese events paired with gourmet catering and a live band and dancing at some of the more extravagent evening brokers opens.

Me, I feel the liability and risk is too great, so I do not serve booze.

Yes, we have them quite often but I never experienced any issues during my OH or someone's else. 

Some agents may do this but I don't track it.  I don't handle liability issues of other agents.

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington - not that I am aware of. Remember vaguely that happened earlier - and we had to sign some disclosure...

I don't work with my broker. I have no idea; though I doubt it

Some still do it, but it's not very common.  I have no clue about how they handle the liability.

I do not have alcohol at them or even house warming parties.

I see wine at a lot of these, but very little is consumed.

Sometimes. Every smart agent has liability insurance coverage.

No it's prohibited by the MLS and our local Board but I suspect it happens, especially for the twilight open houses

We do not

OMG... no alcohol.... tremendous liability....

Never did, but thats an interesting concept!

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington I haven't been to one in a while, but the last one I did attend did no serve alcohol beverages. I would say because of the liability.

Have had them without problems. It is a stop by not the local watering hole. Never have had to ask anyone to leave.

Some do however, it won't happen at our agency

Maybe, but that is a risk no agent or broker should take. I think it would betetr to have a drawing for a nice bottle of wine, or a 6 pack of one of the local craft beers. Winner can drink it at home.

I haven't been to one in years but yes, there are afternoons with wine. The last one I did with alcohol scared me becasue we had champgne and some people left pretty soused.

Very few broker opens ever in this area - and never with alcohol

There is but I do not. I have quite the story why not, and it will make a great blog this week. 

We used to do that also. Now we give the wine away unopened as a gift.

I used to see it all the time, but not in the past few years except for special open houses by invite only.

no

As I don't typically attend broker opens, I really don't know. But I've not seen it at the occasional ones I have attended.