Tempe Bars Required to Offer Drink-Spiking Test Kits

New city ordinance aims to encourage reporting of suspected incidents

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Tempe City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance requiring certain restaurants and bars to sell drink-testing kits. Businesses with Series 6 or Series 12 liquor licenses that serve alcohol more than three days per month between midnight and 2 a.m. must stock at least 10 kits at the start of each business day. The policy aims to encourage people to report drink-spiking incidents after a 2024 study found that 90% of suspected cases go unreported.

Why it matters

Drink spiking is a serious issue that can lead to sexual assault and other crimes. By making testing kits available, Tempe hopes to empower patrons to check their drinks and report any suspected incidents, which is critical to combating this problem.

The details

Under the new ordinance, businesses with Series 6 or Series 12 liquor licenses that serve alcohol more than three days per month between midnight and 2 a.m. must stock at least 10 drink-testing kits at the start of each business day. Series 6 licenses allow bars to sell alcohol for on-site consumption, while Series 12 licenses cover restaurants.

  • The Tempe City Council unanimously approved the ordinance on February 5, 2026.
  • A 2024 study found that 90% of suspected drink-spiking incidents go unreported.

The players

Tempe City Council

The governing body of the city of Tempe, Arizona that unanimously approved the ordinance requiring bars and restaurants to provide drink-spiking test kits.

Department of Liquor Licenses & Control

The Arizona state agency that issues liquor licenses, including the Series 6 and Series 12 licenses covered by the Tempe ordinance.

Anglia Ruskin University

The institution that conducted a 2024 study finding that 90% of suspected drink-spiking incidents go unreported.

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What’s next

Chandler, Phoenix and Mesa are considering similar measures to require bars and restaurants to provide drink-spiking test kits.

The takeaway

By making drink-spiking test kits readily available at bars and restaurants, Tempe is taking an important step to empower patrons, encourage reporting of suspected incidents, and combat this serious public safety issue in the community.