Bar Hostesses' Care and Summer Drinking Risks: Over 80% of Bar Hostesses Are Concerned About Customers' Health! Doctors Highlight Risks of Drinking While Unwell in Summer and Key Preventive Measures

Shizenshokuken Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Bungo-Takada City, Oita Prefecture, CEO: Kohei Sasaki) conducted a survey targeting: ① women who operate bars, snack bars, and izakayas; and ② internists and gastroenterologists, on the topic of 'bar hostesses' care and summer drinking habits'.

Summer is a season when changes in drinking behavior and post-drinking physical conditions are more likely due to heat and summer fatigue.

So, what kinds of discomforts do bar hostesses, who interact with customers daily, notice in their customers during summer?

And how do they respond to show their concern?

Full report available here

Over 80% of bar hostesses care about customers' health! Summer hospitality practices and real challenges in customer service

First, we surveyed female bar owners and managers.

When asked, 'Do you usually pay attention to the health and physical condition of customers who visit your establishment?', over 80% responded 'frequently (42.9%)' or 'occasionally (43.2%)'.

It appears many are attentive to customer health, but what specific concerns arise when observing customers during summer?

When asked about 'things that slightly worry you or concern you regarding customers’ drinking habits or behavior during summer', the most common response was 'drinking alcohol on an empty stomach (43.2%)', followed by 'only drinking cold alcoholic beverages (40.0%)' and 'not drinking water (39.0%)'.

These top responses suggest many customers skip meals or water and consume only cold drinks.

Considering the medical survey results as well, these behaviors are likely to increase gastrointestinal strain and accelerate intoxication. Therefore, from the perspective of caring for customers’ health, such behaviors naturally become a concern.

Given these observations, what kinds of health complaints do customers actually voice?

When asked about 'common health complaints customers express during summer, or signs of discomfort observed', the most frequent response was 'customers say they feel “physically sluggish” or “can’t shake off fatigue” (42.0%)', followed by 'customers say they have “no appetite” or “feel bloated” (39.8%)' and 'customers say they “can’t sleep well” or “feel sleep-deprived” (34.4%)'.

It is evident that many customers exhibit symptoms typical of 'summer fatigue', such as physical sluggishness, bloating, and sleep deprivation.

How do hostesses respond to customers experiencing such summer discomfort?

When asked about 'practical hospitality or caring actions you take at your establishment for customers experiencing summer fatigue or sluggishness', the most common response was 'actively offering or serving water and warm tea (37.3%)', followed by 'recommending or serving easily digestible or warm foods (e.g., appetizers) (33.4%)' and 'serving light snacks rich in salt and vitamins (32.7%)'.

Many appear to take thoughtful measures to care for customers’ health by offering water, warm tea, warm meals, and snacks rich in salt and vitamins to reduce gastrointestinal strain.

Additionally, about 30% reported 'recommending or providing supplements or energy drinks before or after drinking to help customers easily replenish nutrients', indicating a notable number are mindful of customers’ nutritional intake.

These subtle yet considerate actions allow customers to enjoy food and drink comfortably, even when experiencing reduced appetite due to summer fatigue.

What challenges do hostesses face in actual customer service?

When asked about 'difficult or troubling aspects from the establishment’s perspective when caring for customers’ health during summer', the most common response was 'customers get intoxicated faster than usual, making it difficult to determine the right timing to encourage them to slow down (39.8%)', followed by 'difficulty setting air conditioning temperature (some customers feel hot while others feel cold) (38.3%)' and 'customers refuse water when offered, saying “I don’t need it” (30.5%)'.

The top responses indicate that even when hostesses try to manage drinking pace and encourage hydration for health reasons, they often struggle due to mismatched customer conditions or preferences.

Additionally, factors like 'air conditioning temperature'—where comfort levels vary among customers—are also a source of concern.

Doctors’ perspectives: Summer drinking risks and strategies to avoid lingering fatigue during the late-summer period

From a medical standpoint, what risks are associated with summer drinking?

We now turn to internists and gastroenterologists.

When asked, 'From a medical perspective, what health risks do “drinking on an empty stomach” or “only consuming cold alcoholic beverages” in summer pose?', the most common response was 'increased likelihood of faster intoxication (50.3%)', followed by 'reduced attention and concentration (44.7%)' and 'drowsiness or fatigue (35.6%)'.

Around half of respondents cited faster intoxication, and many also linked these behaviors to risks like reduced attention, concentration, drowsiness, and fatigue.

It’s not merely about getting drunk more easily; these behaviors may affect overall physical condition and lead to tangible discomfort.

Beyond drinking habits, what impact might drinking while experiencing loss of appetite or fatigue have the next day?

When asked, 'While suffering from summer fatigue with “loss of appetite” or “unshakable fatigue,” what negative effects on the next day’s condition do you think drinking alcohol may cause?', the most common response was 'accumulated fatigue in the stomach and intestines, further reducing appetite (47.5%)', followed by 'reduced sleep quality, delaying fatigue recovery (45.2%)' and 'alcohol remaining in the body more easily (44.0%)'.

Drinking while experiencing summer fatigue leads to various burdens, including further appetite loss due to gastrointestinal fatigue, delayed recovery due to poor sleep quality, and prolonged alcohol retention in the body.

This suggests that drinking while unwell may cause fatigue and other symptoms to persist into the following days.

So, what precautions should be taken to enjoy drinking while maintaining good condition during summer?

When asked about 'measures you believe should be consciously adopted before or during drinking to enjoy summer drinking and support health', the most common response was 'drinking water (chaser) in equal amounts to alcohol (50.0%)', followed by 'taking supplements that support health maintenance before or after drinking (42.4%)' and 'eating a light meal before drinking to avoid drinking on an empty stomach (40.7%)'.

In addition to drinking water alongside alcohol and eating a light meal beforehand, using supplements to compensate for nutrients often lacking in daily diets is also a viable strategy.

Next, 'to enjoy summer drinking and support health maintenance, what nutrients should be replenished