Bar Insurance
Whether you operate a stylish cocktail bar, neighbourhood wine bar, lively sports bar or independent licensed venue, your business depends upon creating a safe and enjoyable environment for customers whilst managing the day-to-day challenges of the hospitality industry.
Bars rely on specialist equipment, refrigerated storage, cellar systems, valuable stock, trained staff and busy customer areas. Unexpected events such as fire, theft, equipment failure, accidental injury claims or temporary closure can all have a significant financial impact.
Bar Insurance
Bar Insurance is designed for licensed bars, cocktail bars, wine bars, sports bars, lounge bars, rooftop bars and similar hospitality businesses. It can help bring together the covers needed for customer-facing premises, alcohol stock, cellar equipment, bar fixtures, staff, legal liabilities and interruption to trading.
Depending upon the way your bar operates, you may wish to consider insurance for your premises, contents, stock, cellar equipment, legal liabilities, business interruption, events, entertainment, cyber risks, vehicles and other operational exposures.
Quote Monkey can help you obtain a quotation tailored to the needs of your licensed business. All cover is subject to insurer acceptance, underwriting criteria, policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
What Is Bar Insurance?
Bar Insurance is a specialist business insurance solution designed for licensed bars and similar hospitality businesses. Rather than being a single policy, it is usually a combination of different insurance covers selected to reflect the way the business operates.
Depending upon the business, insurance may include protection for buildings, contents, bar equipment, stock, employers' liability, public liability, product liability, business interruption, legal expenses, cyber risks, commercial vehicles and goods in transit.
The most appropriate insurance will depend upon the size of the premises, alcohol sales, food service, entertainment, opening hours, outdoor seating, event activity and the overall nature of the business.
Who May Need Bar Insurance?
Bar Insurance may be suitable for many different licensed hospitality businesses, including cocktail bars, wine bars, lounge bars, sports bars, rooftop bars, hotel bars, members' bars, golf club bars, marina bars, brewery taprooms, tap houses, gin bars, whisky bars, rum bars, champagne bars, craft beer bars, microbrewery bars, live music bars, piano bars, jazz bars, beach bars, pool bars, clubhouse bars, visitor attraction bars, theatre bars and cinema bars.
Modern bars often provide much more than drinks. Many businesses now offer food service, live music, DJs, comedy nights, quiz nights, cocktail masterclasses, private hire, wedding receptions, corporate events, sporting event screenings, outside seating, roof terraces, takeaway cocktails where permitted, gift vouchers and loyalty schemes.
Bars may also operate within hotels, restaurants, holiday parks, theatres, visitor attractions, golf clubs, marinas and many other larger businesses. As these services evolve, insurance should be reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to reflect the way the business operates.
Why Bar Insurance Is Important
Bars often trade during evenings and weekends when customer numbers are highest. Alcohol sales, busy public areas, glassware, cellar equipment and entertainment can all increase the range of risks faced by the business.
Claims involving slips and trips, accidental injury, stock losses, theft, equipment breakdown, business interruption and public liability can have a significant financial impact. Insurance should accurately reflect the way the bar operates, including any food service, live entertainment, events or private functions.
Unlike many cafés or restaurants, bars may involve late-night trading, alcohol-led revenue, door supervision, live entertainment, event bookings and high-value drink stock. These details can affect the way insurers consider the risk.
Looking For Bar Insurance?
Whether you operate a cocktail bar, wine bar, sports bar, rooftop bar or neighbourhood licensed venue, Quote Monkey can help you obtain a quotation tailored to your business.
Bar Insurance Cover Considerations
Bars often need a combination of liability, property, contents, stock, business interruption, legal expenses, cyber, commercial vehicle and goods in transit protection. The most suitable covers depend on how the bar trades, who it employs, the premises it occupies, the stock it holds, whether food is served and whether entertainment, private hire, outdoor seating or mobile bar work is offered.
Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance may help protect your bar if a customer, visitor or member of the public suffers an injury or their property is damaged in connection with your business activities, subject to the policy wording.
Busy licensed premises can present a variety of liability risks, particularly where customers are moving between bars, seating areas, dance floors, beer gardens and outdoor terraces. Public Liability Insurance may be relevant where slips, trips, broken glass, accidental spillages or injuries involving furniture and fixtures could arise.
Employers' Liability Insurance
If your bar employs staff, Employers' Liability Insurance is usually a legal requirement.
Bars may employ bar managers, bartenders, mixologists, waiting staff, glass collectors, door supervisors, kitchen staff, DJs, cleaners, supervisors, cellar staff, security staff and seasonal employees. Employers' Liability Insurance may provide protection if an employee suffers an injury or illness arising from their work.
Product Liability Insurance
Bars regularly supply drinks and, in many cases, food. Product Liability Insurance may provide protection if products supplied by the business result in injury or illness, subject to the policy wording.
This may include beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks, coffee, bar snacks, meals, sharing platters and takeaway food where offered. Product Liability Insurance can be an important consideration for licensed hospitality businesses.
Business Contents Insurance
Bars often contain valuable fixtures, equipment and furnishings.
Business Contents Insurance may help protect bar counters, refrigeration, cellar cooling equipment, glass washers, EPOS systems, furniture, seating, lighting, TVs, sound systems, computers, decorations, glassware and outdoor furniture.
Business Stock Insurance
Licensed premises often hold substantial stock, including beer, wine, spirits, champagne, soft drinks, premium bottled drinks, mixers, food stock, bar snacks and cleaning products.
Business Stock Insurance may help protect stock against insured events depending upon the policy selected.
Business Interruption Insurance
If fire, flooding, storm damage or another insured event forces the premises to close temporarily, Business Interruption Insurance may help with ongoing financial commitments whilst the business recovers.
Business Interruption Insurance may be particularly important for bars dependent on weekend trade, event bookings, regular customers or seasonal footfall.
Commercial Property Insurance
Where the bar owner owns the premises, Commercial Property Insurance may help protect the building against insured damage.
This may be particularly relevant for freehold bars, converted buildings and standalone licensed premises. Commercial Property Insurance may need to reflect construction, location, occupancy, licensing and public access.
Commercial Property Owners Insurance
Many bars occupy leased premises. Commercial Property Owners Insurance may be appropriate where the landlord or building owner is responsible for insuring the property.
Commercial Property Owners Insurance may be relevant where the building owner has responsibility for the premises, landlord fixtures or property owners' liability.
Commercial Combined Insurance
Many licensed premises arrange Commercial Combined Insurance where several different covers are required under one policy.
Commercial Combined Insurance can include buildings, contents, stock, liabilities, business interruption and many additional business covers.
Business Legal Expenses Insurance
Licensed premises can become involved in employment disputes, licensing issues, supplier disagreements, lease disputes and customer complaints.
Business Legal Expenses Insurance may provide access to legal advice and assistance with certain insured legal costs.
Cyber Insurance
Modern bars increasingly rely upon contactless payments, online bookings, EPOS systems, customer Wi-Fi, loyalty schemes, gift cards, digital menus and event bookings.
Cyber Insurance may help protect against certain cyber incidents and data breaches.
Terrorism Insurance
Many bars operate within busy town centres, entertainment districts, city centres and mixed-use commercial developments.
Where appropriate, Terrorism Insurance may be considered alongside Commercial Property Insurance.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Some bars operate their own vehicles to transport stock between premises, deliver supplies or support event and catering services.
Where a business owns or operates vans or commercial vehicles, Commercial Vehicle Insurance should accurately reflect how those vehicles are used.
Goods In Transit Insurance
Bars transporting alcohol, beverages, food, equipment or event supplies between premises may wish to consider Goods in Transit Insurance.
This may be particularly relevant for businesses operating multiple locations, providing outside bars or attending events. Goods in Transit Insurance may be relevant where stock or equipment is moved away from the premises.
Bars Can Form Part Of Larger Businesses
Bars are often much more than standalone businesses. They frequently operate within larger hospitality, leisure and tourism venues, where the overall operation influences the insurance required.
A bar inside a hotel, restaurant, holiday park, theatre, golf club, marina, visitor attraction, rooftop venue or heritage building may need insurance that reflects both the licensed bar and the wider business activity taking place around it.
Hotel Bars
Many hotels operate bars serving residents, conference delegates and non-residents. Relevant pages may include Hospitality Insurance and Hotel Insurance.
Restaurant Bars
Many restaurants include fully licensed bars serving customers before, during and after meals. Relevant pages may include Restaurant Insurance and Hospitality Insurance.
Holiday Park Bars
Holiday parks often operate bars for guests, entertainment venues and clubhouses. Relevant pages may include Holiday Caravan Site Owners Insurance, Leisure Lodge Site Owners Insurance and Park Home Site Owners Insurance.
Campsite And Glamping Bars
Larger campsites and glamping sites may include licensed bars serving campers and visitors. Relevant pages may include Campsite Owners Insurance and Glamping Site Owners Insurance.
Golf Club And Sports Club Bars
Golf clubs, sports clubs and leisure venues frequently operate licensed bars for members and guests. The wider insurance discussion may need to consider members, visitors, events, staff, alcohol sales and the broader club premises.
Marina And Yacht Club Bars
Marinas and yacht clubs often provide licensed bars and lounges overlooking the waterfront. Hospitality Insurance may be relevant where licensed hospitality forms part of a wider leisure or waterfront operation.
Theatre And Entertainment Venue Bars
Many theatres, cinemas, concert venues and arts centres include bars serving customers before performances and during intervals. Hospitality Insurance may help connect the bar exposure with the wider venue operation.
Visitor Attraction Bars
Bars can be found within museums, castles, racecourses, heritage railways and other visitor attractions. Relevant pages may include Hospitality Insurance, Castle Insurance and Heritage Railway Insurance.
Rooftop And City Centre Bars
Many modern rooftop bars operate within hotels, office developments and mixed-use commercial buildings. Relevant pages may include Office Insurance and Commercial Property Insurance.
Country House And Heritage Property Bars
Historic country houses, manor houses and heritage buildings often include bars alongside weddings, events and accommodation. Relevant pages may include Country House Insurance, Manor House Insurance and Hospitality Insurance.
Related Industries And Business Models
Bars are found in a wide variety of businesses across the hospitality, tourism, leisure and entertainment sectors. Whilst some operate as standalone licensed premises, many form part of much larger operations. If your bar operates within one of the following environments, you may also find these Quote Monkey insurance guides useful.
Hospitality Businesses
Bars are an important part of the wider hospitality industry and often operate alongside restaurants, cafés, hotels and licensed venues. Relevant pages may include Hospitality Insurance, Restaurant Insurance, Café Insurance and Hotel Insurance.
Hotels And Accommodation
Many hotels provide cocktail bars, lounges, rooftop bars and residents' bars serving guests throughout the day and evening. Relevant pages may include Hotel Insurance, Hospitality Insurance and Let Holiday Home Insurance.
Holiday Parks And Leisure Parks
Bars are common within holiday parks, caravan parks, lodge parks and glamping sites, providing entertainment and refreshments for guests. Relevant pages may include Holiday Caravan Site Owners Insurance, Campsite Owners Insurance, Glamping Site Owners Insurance, Leisure Lodge Site Owners Insurance and Park Home Site Owners Insurance.
Sports And Leisure Venues
Many golf clubs, sports clubs, marinas, racecourses and leisure centres operate licensed bars for members, visitors and event guests. Hospitality Insurance may be relevant where hospitality, members, events and leisure activity overlap.
Tourism And Visitor Attractions
Museums, castles, heritage railways, stately homes and other visitor attractions often operate licensed bars alongside cafés and restaurants. Relevant pages may include Heritage Railway Insurance, Castle Insurance and Hospitality Insurance.
Restaurants And Food Service
Many restaurants operate fully licensed bars serving customers before, during and after meals. Some bars also provide food service, creating a blend of restaurant and bar operations. Relevant pages may include Restaurant Insurance and Café Insurance.
Entertainment And Nightlife
Bars often form part of entertainment venues, including theatres, cinemas, music venues, comedy clubs, casinos and event spaces. Live music, DJs, quiz nights, comedy evenings, sporting event screenings, corporate functions and private parties should all be disclosed when arranging insurance.
Heritage And Character Buildings
Many bars occupy converted or historic buildings where specialist insurance may be appropriate because of the property's age, construction or listed status. Relevant pages may include Converted Mill Insurance, Converted Factory Insurance, Converted Prison Insurance, Former Military Building Insurance, Country House Insurance and Manor House Insurance.
Retail And Mixed-Use Developments
Bars are increasingly found within mixed-use developments combining retail, offices, hotels and leisure facilities. Relevant pages may include Shop Insurance, Commercial Property Insurance and Commercial Property Owners Insurance.
Business Transport And Deliveries
Some bars transport stock between premises, operate mobile bars, attend festivals, weddings and corporate events or use commercial vehicles to move equipment and beverages. Relevant pages may include Commercial Vehicle Insurance, Goods in Transit Insurance and Heavy Goods Vehicle Insurance.
Business Protection
Running a successful bar depends on your premises, employees, stock and reputation. Many businesses choose additional protection to help safeguard the business against unexpected events. Relevant pages may include Business Legal Expenses Insurance, Cyber Insurance, Group Personal Accident Insurance and Terrorism Insurance.
No two bars operate in exactly the same way. A neighbourhood wine bar has very different insurance requirements to a rooftop cocktail bar, hotel lounge, golf club bar, holiday park venue or entertainment complex.
The insurance required should reflect not only the drinks you serve, but also your opening hours, entertainment, live music, food service, events, outdoor seating, alcohol sales, delivery or mobile operations, the building you occupy and any wider business activities taking place on the premises.
Typical Bar Insurance Claims
Bars can experience claims involving customers, staff, alcohol stock, equipment, premises, outdoor areas, events and interruption to trading. The examples below show why bar insurance often needs to consider several different cover sections together.
Customer Slip
A customer slips on a wet floor after a drink is spilled near the bar, resulting in an injury. Public Liability Insurance may help deal with the claim, subject to the policy wording.
Glass Injury
A broken glass causes injury to a customer or member of staff. Depending upon the circumstances, Public Liability or Employers' Liability Insurance may provide protection.
Cellar Equipment Failure
A failure of the cellar cooling system causes beer and other beverages to spoil, resulting in significant stock losses. Depending upon the policy selected, Business Stock Insurance may help.
Fire In The Bar
A fault with electrical equipment behind the bar causes a fire that damages the premises, furniture and equipment. Buildings, Contents and Business Interruption Insurance may all become relevant depending upon the circumstances.
Theft
Following a break-in, alcohol stock, tills, computers and sound equipment are stolen. Business Contents Insurance may provide protection subject to the policy wording.
Business Interruption
Following extensive flood damage, the bar is unable to open for several weeks. Business Interruption Insurance may help with certain ongoing financial commitments whilst repairs are completed.
Product Liability Claim
A customer alleges illness after consuming food or drink supplied by the premises. Product Liability Insurance may provide protection where the claim falls within the policy wording.
Employers' Liability Claim
A bartender suffers an injury whilst lifting beer kegs or working in the cellar and makes a claim against the business. Employers' Liability Insurance may respond depending upon the circumstances.
Outdoor Furniture Damage
Storm damage destroys outdoor seating, tables and parasols within the beer garden or terrace. Depending upon the policy selected, Business Contents Insurance may assist with replacement costs.
Event Cancellation
A booked private function cannot proceed following significant insured damage to the premises. Business Interruption Insurance may help reduce the financial impact where appropriate cover has been arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bar Insurance usually combines a number of business insurance covers designed for licensed premises, cocktail bars, wine bars, sports bars and other businesses primarily serving drinks.
Yes. Insurance can usually be arranged for cocktail bars, although the cover required will depend upon the services offered, opening hours, entertainment and other business activities.
Yes. Wine bars, lounge bars and similar licensed premises may require insurance reflecting their premises, stock, customers and employees.
If your bar employs staff, Employers' Liability Insurance is usually a legal requirement unless an exemption applies.
Many bars host live music, DJs, quiz nights or other entertainment. These activities should be disclosed when arranging insurance so the cover accurately reflects the business.
Yes. Outdoor seating, terraces, roof gardens and beer gardens should be declared when arranging insurance.
Yes. Many bars operate within hotels, restaurants, golf clubs, theatres, holiday parks, visitor attractions and leisure venues. The insurance should reflect both the bar itself and the wider business.
Many bars also serve meals, bar snacks and sharing platters. This should be taken into account when arranging insurance.
Many licensed venues host weddings, birthdays, business events and private parties. These activities should be disclosed so they can be considered when arranging insurance.
Mobile bars and outside bars may be insurable, but the quotation will usually need to reflect events attended, stock transported, equipment used, vehicles, staff, alcohol licensing and public liability exposures.
Bars using vans or commercial vehicles to move stock, equipment or mobile bar units may need Commercial Vehicle Insurance. The correct cover will depend on vehicle ownership, drivers, use and the goods carried.
Goods in Transit Insurance may be relevant where alcohol stock, beverages, equipment or event supplies are transported between premises, events, weddings, festivals or storage locations.
Cyber Insurance may be relevant for bars using EPOS systems, contactless payments, online bookings, digital menus, Wi-Fi networks, gift cards and customer databases.
Rooftop bars may be considered, but insurers will usually need information about access, capacity, outdoor seating, barriers, fire safety, licensing, weather exposure and the wider building.
Yes. Quote Monkey can help arrange quotations for many licensed bars and hospitality businesses through our panel of insurers.