Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest stretches of the year for bars. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the riskiest. As insurance agents are aware, the combination of large crowds, holiday travel, and increased drinking rates creates an environment where liability exposures spike. With comprehensive bar and tavern insurance, however, your clients can navigate the risks and keep the momentum going for a strong and prosperous holiday season.
Thanksgiving week tends to compress multiple high-risk nights into one long weekend. Thanksgiving Eve, college reunions, and family gatherings can quickly pack a bar beyond its usual capacity, raising the likelihood of accidents, altercations, and health emergencies.
Crowds aren’t the only concern. Bars often bring in temporary staff or operate with stretched teams due to holiday scheduling, which can lead to slower service, less oversight, and gaps in monitoring intoxication. Live entertainment, DJs, and special promotions introduce slip-and-fall hazards and security challenges.
As the U.S. Embassy in Finland reminds travelers, large gatherings always require heightened vigilance. From potential pickpocket crimes to inebriated drivers, there’s a wide range of risks. Together, these exposures create prime conditions for liability claims, property damage, and alcohol-related incidents throughout the holiday weekend.
A well-structured bar and tavern insurance package addresses the complexities of nightlife operations and responds directly to holiday-specific hazards. Policies may include:
General liability: Responds to common incidents such as slip-and-falls caused by crowded entryways or spilled drinks
Liquor liability: Addresses claims alleging overserving or alcohol-related injuries — a critical safeguard when holiday drinking surges
Products and completed operations: Supports exposures related to specialty holiday menus or catered items
Assault and battery coverage: Essential for bars expecting dense crowds or high-energy events, where fights or security interventions are more likely
Excess liability: Provides additional limits when a major Thanksgiving incident leads to unusually high damages
These coverages help ensure bar owners have the financial protection needed to navigate one of the busiest and most unpredictable weekends of the year.
Insurance is only part of the strategy. Proactive risk management helps reduce the chance of claims. Key measures you can share with your bar and tavern clients include:
Ensure adequate staffing levels: Confirm security and bartending teams are fully covered, especially on Thanksgiving Eve.
Monitor alcohol service: Use drink-tracking systems, and reinforce responsible-service rules with staff.
Offer non-alcoholic options: A Thanksgiving mocktail can be an enticing alternative for anyone limiting or avoiding alcohol.
Manage crowd flow: Maintain clear walkways, regulate entrance lines, and avoid overcrowding.
Document incidents: Accurate reporting protects both staff and patrons and helps defend against potential claims.
Check holiday setups: Inspect entertainment equipment, lighting, decorative displays, and temporary structures for safety issues.
Bars and taverns that have a plan are better equipped to avoid preventable incidents — and to demonstrate responsible operations when a claim does arise.
Thanksgiving events can elevate the risk profile of any bar. But with the proper planning, owners can protect their operations while still providing a festive experience.
For insurance agents, this season presents an opportunity to ensure clients carry the necessary bar and tavern insurance to withstand the surge in exposures. Partnering with RMS Hospitality gives bar owners access to specialized solutions built for crowded, high-energy holiday environments.
Encourage clients to review their coverage now, and contact us to secure the protection their businesses need.
At RMS Hospitality Group, our expertly crafted policies are written specifically for the hospitality industry. We offer custom-tailored solutions to meet any venue’s specific needs. For more information, contact our knowledgeable experts today at (888) 359-8390.
At RMS and associated firms, business continues as usual. Our staff is remote-capable and available to handle all partners, brokers, and insureds at the present time.
