The exclusion in a standard general liability policy applies to any business that derives revenue from serving alcohol, regardless of whether that’s beer, wine, or spirits. A restaurant serving only beer and wine faces the same dram shop liability as a full bar if an over-served patron causes injury after leaving.
What actually changes the exposure level:
- Volume of alcohol sales as a percentage of total revenue, which some states use to set stricter dram shop standards.
- Hours of alcohol service — later closing times and happy hour promotions tend to increase claim frequency.
- Whether the restaurant hosts events, live music, or other draws that extend time on premises after drinking.
- State-specific dram shop laws, which vary significantly in how liability is assigned to the server.
How Liberty structures your protection: Liberty places liquor liability as a standalone policy or endorsement sized to actual alcohol sales volume, so beer-and-wine restaurants aren’t priced or underwritten as if they were a full-service bar — or left without coverage because the policy assumed they didn’t need it.