Bar & Tavern Insurance
See what bars pay for coverage including liquor liability, and get your own quote in a few minutes. No spam, no obligation.
Also for taverns, pubs, breweries and brewpubs, wine bars, and lounges.
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What bar insurance costs
Bars are among the most expensive food-and-beverage businesses to insure, and liquor liability is the reason. Nationally a bar businessowners policy averages about $276/mo, with liquor liability adding roughly $115/mo on top.
The single biggest premium driver is your % of alcohol sales, followed by hours, entertainment, and security. Your state matters too: a few states impose no dram shop liability at all, while Illinois, Minnesota, and South Carolina require liquor coverage just to hold a license.
| Coverage | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Businessowners policy (BOP) - GL + property | $180-$550/mo | National bar median is about $276/mo. Hours, entertainment, and cooking set where you land. |
| Liquor liability | $80-$220/mo | National average is about $115/mo. Scales with alcohol share, closing time, and your state's dram shop law. |
| Assault & battery coverage | Varies | Many carriers sublimit or exclude A&B for bars. Getting it included is worth more than a cheap premium. |
| Workers' compensation | Priced on payroll | Required in most states once you have employees. |
Figures are estimates from published small-business premium medians and quotes we've run for similar businesses. Your premium depends on your operations. This is not a quote or an offer of insurance.
What moves your price
- ✓Alcohol as a share of sales. Most standard carriers refer or decline above ~50-65%, which is why bars often need specialty markets
- ✓Closing time. Past midnight and past 2 a.m. are real pricing breakpoints
- ✓Live music, DJs, dancing, and security staff
- ✓Food service. A real kitchen usually helps your rate
- ✓Assault & battery claims history
- ✓Your state's dram shop law and any statutory liquor insurance requirement
The coverage a bar needs
The core bar coverage. Covers claims arising from serving alcohol, which general liability excludes.
Slip-and-falls, patron injuries, damage to your rented space. Your lease requires $1M/$2M with your landlord as additional insured.
Fights are the most common serious bar claim, and many policies sublimit or exclude them. Ask specifically what your A&B limit is.
Bar build-out, equipment, inventory, TVs and sound. Bundled with GL in a BOP.
Required in most states once you have employees. Priced on payroll.
Frequently asked questions
How much does bar insurance cost?
Nationally a bar BOP averages about $276/mo with liquor liability adding roughly $115/mo. Hours, entertainment, alcohol share, state law, and claims history set where you land. A food-forward neighborhood tavern can come in well under those averages; a late-night venue with live music comes in above them.
Is liquor liability legally required?
In a few states, yes: Illinois requires proof of dram shop coverage to hold a license, Minnesota requires liquor liability at statutory minimums, and South Carolina requires $1M for on-premises service after 5 p.m. Everywhere else it's your lease and your dram shop exposure that make it non-optional in practice.
My alcohol sales are over 50%. Can I still get covered?
Yes. Above roughly half alcohol sales most standard carriers step back, so the quote comes from specialty or surplus lines markets that write bars every day. Expect a higher rate than a restaurant pays, and a more detailed application.
What is assault & battery coverage and do I need it?
It covers injury claims arising from fights. It's the most common serious bar claim, and many policies quietly sublimit it to $25K-$100K or exclude it. Ask what your limit is before you bind, not after.
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