A Government and an Opposition senator each shared candid drinking tales as the Upper House debated the Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2010.

The Act received cross-party support yesterday as senators expressed their concerns with Bermuda's drinking culture.

Senator Bean, Junior Minister of Tourism and Transport, described alcohol as "the Devil's brew".

Meanwhile Mr. Dunkley, Opposition Senate leader, said he worried about his daughters going out and getting "totally obliterated".

The Act gives Police officers powers to shut down bars for up to 24 hours if they believe trouble may break out. Any bar failing to comply is fined $5,000.

Bar staff also have to undergo training on responsible alcohol sales and people will be prevented from entering members' clubs until 48 hours after signing up as new members.

Presenting the second reading of the Act, Attorney General Kim Wilson said: "These measures will protect the public by ensuring the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise violence in Bermuda's nightclubs."

Opposition Senator Suzann Roberts Holshouser said: "This type of legislation is being put in place to prevent excessive public consumption of alcohol. You can find individuals consuming a bottle of alcohol on the streets of Bermuda at any time of the day."

Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes described the legislation as "a sad sign of the times".

Independent Senator Joan Dillas Wright said: "I support this legislation. We need to get a handle on this."

Sen. Bean said: "I drink alcohol and at some points in my life I have drunk more than at other places in my life, and at other points I have abstained altogether.

"From my own experience alcohol is truly the Devil's brew."

Sen. Bean said: "It is morally hypocritical that licensed premises can sell alcohol, so what do we expect when some patrons go and then come outside and act the fool? At some point we as a Country have to decide either alcohol is bad for us or it is good."

Sen. Dunkley said he worried about his two daughters, aged 20 and 23.

"I'm not far removed from seeing my children going out to the club scene and how it has changed drastically in recent years," he said.

"It is sad for me to see them go out at night and get totally obliterated. The next day if they're lucky [if] they didn't get into trouble or something [hasn't] happened to them [the night before].

"It is sad we have bright young Bermudians going out and getting into that mindset. That's the problem we're dealing with."

Sen. Dunkley congratulated CADA (the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse) for its work and the Island's security staff.

Government Senate Leader and Minister of Public Safety David Burch said: "They [security staff] are raising the bar. I know of two security firms which are amalgamating their operations and taking part in training, which was unheard of before."