An exploratory pilot study to assess drinking at bars or events located within grocery stores.

This article examines drinking behaviors and assortative drinking—defined as drinking in places where individuals share similar characteristics—at grocery stores in Central Ohio that feature bars and special alcohol events. Through unobtrusive observations of 90 patrons across four store locations, the study found that patrons consumed an average of 3.8 drinks per hour, with variations by location, type of drink (beer or wine), and food consumption. Demographic patterns suggested assortative drinking by age, gender, and race/ethnicity, with some store clientele differing significantly from the surrounding neighborhood populations. The study also identified inconsistent responsible beverage service (RBS) practices, including lax ID checks and lack of monitoring drink sizes or quantities, highlighting a need for improved training and policy to mitigate potential alcohol-related harms in these emerging nontraditional drinking venues.