Owning a bar, club, or restaurant that serves alcohol opens you as the owner up for imminent risk to alcohol-related incidents. From rowdy guests to the risk of drunk driving, there’s a large liability that falls on the owner’s shoulders. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when” you’ll encounter a situation with a customer or employee in a risky situation. 

As the establishment’s owner, it’s your responsibility to keep employees and patrons safe.

Knowing the risks involved in serving alcoholic beverages is essential to protect yourself from losing your business. So, how can you curtail your establishment from liability?

Here are some practical things to consider.

• Have servers and bartenders be TABC Certified. 

Through Learn2Serve, your staff can take an online course training them to how to recognize and respond to intoxicated customers, properly check identification, refuse a sale if needed, and reduce the overall liability of your establishment. It’s a cost-conscious safeguard that will help prepare your staff for situations they are bound to encounter.

• Don’t serve to the point of over-intoxication.

Although everyone processes alcohol differently, you and your staff should know what signs to look for and when to refuse service to a guest. Look for guests who are loud, slurring their speech, bloodshot eyes, clumsiness, and disorientation. Cut them off before the situation erupts into an uncontrollable patron who causes property damage or bodily injury.

• ID your guests.

It is illegal to serve alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21. The best practice is to always check ID’s to mitigate the risk of serving an underage customer. 

• Consider hiring security.

To keep your customers safe and property protected, consider hiring additional security for your busy times. A qualified security team will safely and appropriately address any incidents before it gets out of control.

• Don’t allow employees to drink on the job. 

This should go without saying, but employees should not be consuming alcohol while on the clock. Bartenders and servers are there to serve the guests and ensure the safety of the establishment, which they can’t do effectively under the influence.

• Carry liquor liability insurance.

You need a policy that specifically covers liquor liability, which differs from general liability insurance that you may have. A liquor liability policy will help cover legal fees, medical bills, property damage, worker’s compensation, and more. Consult with an insurance agent about what is best for you and your business.

Protect your business against losing substantial amounts of money by establishing rules, regulations, and best practices among your employees and enforce them with your customers. By using practical safeguards and obtaining liquor liability insurance, you can alleviate the risk of alcohol-related incidents. Your business is a huge asset…protect it like one.

Do you want a stress free way to get the right liquor liability insurance for your business? Then contact us, Food and Beverage Insurance Agency, and experience the FNBIA difference.