If local law and the establishment's house policy differ, the server should generally apply:

When local law and the establishment's house policy differ, the server should generally apply the stricter of the two standards, which ensures compliance with both. For example, if the law allows service until 2 a.m. but house policy stops service at 1 a.m., the server follows the 1 a.m. cutoff. House policies are often stricter than the law specifically to reduce risk, and following them is part of the server's job. Applying the stricter standard keeps service lawful and aligned with the employer's risk-management goals.