Preston Rideout
Preston Rideout is a dram shop expert with 25+ years in nightclub operations, alcohol service, and expert witness work focused on overservice and security negligence.
Preston Rideout brings over 25 years of real-world experience in bar, nightclub, and restaurant management. He has personally trained thousands of bartenders, servers, managers, and hospitality staff across the country in responsible alcohol service and industry compliance. Through nationally recognized programs like TIPS® and ServSafe, as well as custom in-house protocols, he helps establishments meet state and federal regulations.
As the CEO of Rideout Hospitality and founder of The Dram Shop Experts, Preston designs and delivers comprehensive training focused on preventing overservice, reducing liability, and promoting safe service environments. His curriculum is rooted in industry standards and adapted to meet the unique needs of each venue, from small bars to large entertainment complexes. His training not only protects customers and staff but also prepares establishments for litigation defense, licensing inspections, and operational audits. Preston’s methods continue to shape the way alcohol is served responsibly in today’s hospitality industry.
Preston Rideout has served as a dram shop expert witness in more than 100 alcohol-related lawsuits across the United States. His casework spans a wide range of incidents involving overservice, intoxication timelines, negligent security, wrongful death, and bar fight liability. His expertise is regularly sought to evaluate staff conduct, alcohol service protocols, and venue operations to determine whether they align with established industry standards and state regulations.
In addition to expert testimony, Preston performs forensic evaluations of video surveillance, point-of-sale data, incident reports, and witness statements. He provides comprehensive opinions on training failures, alcohol policy violations, and managerial negligence. His knowledge of bar operations, combined with years of courtroom experience, gives attorneys a strategic advantage when building or defending a case. Whether working for plaintiffs or defendants, Preston’s insights bring clarity to complex liability questions in high-stakes litigation involving alcohol service and premises liability.
“Working with Preston was an incredible experience. His knowledge of liquor liability and dedication to safe alcohol service helped transform our team. His expert training, professionalism, and courtroom insights made a significant difference in our approach to risk management. I highly recommend his services to anyone in the hospitality or legal field.”
We assist attorneys in evaluating alcohol service, policy violations, and venue security through expert consultation and forensic analysis.
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