Preston
Rideout
112 Seller-Server Certifications · 30 Years in Hospitality Operations
Plaintiff and Defense · All 50 States · Based in Greenwood, Mississippi
About Preston Rideout
Preston Rideout is a dram shop and hospitality operations expert witness retained by plaintiff and defense counsel in liquor liability, alcohol overservice, bar and nightclub, restaurant, hotel, and casino cases. He has worked in hospitality for 30 years, starting as a bartender in Oxford, Mississippi in 1996.
He was a bar manager for Coyote Ugly in Washington, DC and Las Vegas, worked as a bar manager and assistant general manager at Las Vegas venues including LAX Nightclub and Pure Nightclub, and became general manager of Eve Nightclub in 2010. He later directed nightlife for Electric Cowboy in Kentucky and Missouri and bar operations for Luke’s Icehouse in Texas. Since 2010 he has been CEO of Rideout Hospitality Consulting, advising bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, and resorts in the United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas.
Preston has completed 112 seller-server and responsible vendor certifications across 48 states and the District of Columbia, including TAM, TABC in Texas, BASSET in Illinois, and the Florida Responsible Vendor program. His testimony history from 2021 through 2026 covers 20 matters in 11 states, with 18 depositions and 2 trial appearances. He holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Mississippi.
Credentials and Background
- 112 Seller-Server Certifications, 48 States and D.C.
- CEO, Rideout Hospitality Consulting (2010 to Present)
- Founder, Dram Shop Experts
- Co-Author, The Bar Starts Here
- Author, Cocktail Currency
- B.A., English and Political Science, University of Mississippi
Areas of Expertise
Dram Shop Liability
Liquor Liability
Alcohol Overservice
Responsible Beverage Service
Bar and Nightclub Operations
Restaurant, Hotel and Casino Operations
Representative Testimony
Selected deposition and trial testimony from Preston’s 2021 to 2026 testimony history.
Massey v. Retreat at Gainesville, LLC
- Retained by: Jamie Holland
- Party: Plaintiff
- Court: Circuit Court, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Alachua County, Florida
- Testimony: Trial
Glen v. Willis; 300 Bar, LLC; Black Market Bar & Grill
- Retained by: Rodney Bargainer
- Party: Plaintiff
- Court: Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama
- Testimony: Trial
Cortez v. TRT Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Omni Los Angeles Hotel
- Retained by: Carmen Aguado
- Party: Defendant
- Court: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
- Testimony: Deposition
Lockhart v. CTB Investors, LLC d/b/a PBR Big Sky Cowboy Bar
- Retained by: Mike Ketchmark
- Party: Plaintiff
- Court: Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri
- Testimony: Deposition
Preston’s testimony history from 2021 through 2026 covers 20 matters in 11 states: 18 depositions and 2 trial appearances, with 14 plaintiff and 6 defense retentions.
Retaining Preston Rideout
What cases does Preston Rideout take?
Dram shop, liquor liability, alcohol overservice, bar and nightclub, restaurant, hotel, casino, and premises and security matters where alcohol service or hospitality operations are at issue.
Has Preston testified at deposition and trial?
Yes. His testimony history from 2021 through 2026 covers 20 matters in 11 states, including 18 depositions and 2 trial appearances.
Does Preston work for plaintiffs or defendants?
Both. Of the 20 matters in his testimony history, 14 were plaintiff retentions and 6 were defense retentions.
Where does Preston accept cases?
Preston accepts engagements in all 50 states. He has testified in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Texas, and can testify in person or by video where permitted.
What topics are outside his opinions?
Blood alcohol calculations, medical causation, security use-of-force standards, engineering or building code issues, and legal conclusions. Counsel typically retains a separate specialist for those opinions.
How do I start a conflict check?
Call Preston at (662) 466-6045 with the case caption, all parties including the venue, the jurisdiction, and which side you represent. Do not send privileged material until the conflict check clears.