Why Are "LICENSED AND INSURED” Bartenders Required at a Wedding Venue?

FAQ’s- Why do we need a licensed and insured bartender?

How to party safely at Prosperity Mansion and Farm in Frederick, MD

Advice from Prosperity Mansion and Farm, a Frederick, MD wedding venue. Alcohol service creates the highest legal liability at any private event especially where an open bar is available. To protect you legally and financially, a Maryland‑licensed and insured bartender is required whenever alcohol is present. Alcohol is defined as anything that you need to be 21 years of age to consume.

Maryland law requires that alcohol be served by someone who can legally verify age, monitor consumption, and refuse service. A self‑serve bar can’t do any of that, so it isn’t allowed at commercial events. It also voids insurance coverage, which puts you at personal risk. This is why every Maryland wedding venue that is operating legally, requires a licensed and insured bartender for all alcohol, even beer and wine.

It’s the Law- It is against the law in the state of Maryland to allow a self-service bar at any commercial function including but not limited to wedding venues. Wedding venues are considered a private event but is still commercial since it’s not free.

FAQ’s- BYOB- Does that mean that my guests can bring their own liquor and drink it at their table?

No, that is NOT what it means at Prosperity Mansion and Farm. Bring Your Own Booze means that we do not sell or require you, in any way, to purchase liquor from us. You may purchase and bring whatever you like for your wedding day. Additionally,  we have several liquor stores, that in Frederick, County, Maryland, it is legal to have them deliver liquor to the wedding venue. Most counties cannot legally offer that service.

FAQ’s- What is Social Host Liability and Protection

Maryland enforces Social Host Liability laws. Under the 2016 Kirakos v. Phillips ruling, hosts can be held civilly and criminally liable for the actions of underage drinkers and or people that become intoxicated and may have an accident. . Because the venue becomes a private yet commercial space under your control for the day, you are the Social Host. A licensed bartender acts as your professional gatekeeper, helping to protect you from these specific Maryland legal risks. If there is ever a law suit you can attest that you did your “due diligence” by hiring a bartender that provided what the Sate of Maryland required.

Professional Insurance Coverage

Approved bartenders at Prosperity Mansion and Farm, must carry their own Liquor Liability Insurance. If an intoxicated guest or one that has been consuming liquor,  causes property damage or is involved in an accident, the bartender’s insurance is the primary layer of coverage and helps protect your personal assets.

4. Trained Guest Management

A licensed bartender is trained to:

• Identify intoxication and recognize early warning signs

• Intervene professionally by slowing or stopping service discreetly

• Verify age and enforce Maryland’s drinking laws

This ensures a safe, controlled, and legally compliant bar experience.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• A copy of the bartender’s license and liability insurance must be submitted 30 days before the event.

• Prosperity Mansion and Farm must be listed as an Additional Insured.

• If no licensed and insured bartender is present, all alcohol will be removed and disposed of and no alcohol service will be permitted.

BAR SETUP AND SERVICE RULES

• All alcohol must remain in the designated bar area and be served only by the bartender.

• No self‑serve bars. Illegal in in the state of Maryland at a commercial event

• Bartenders must hold current certification (ServSafe Alcohol, TAM, RAMP, TIPS, ABC, or equivalent).

• All bartenders must provide proof of active Liquor Liability Insurance, either through their personal policy or through the company they represent.

• Bartenders must refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated or underage.

Additional Rules

• No self-service bar areas- all liquor needs to be served by a licensed and insured bartender. It’s the LAW!

• No alcohol service until after the ceremony

• No shots

• No drinking games

• One shot maximum per mixed drink

• Bar service is limited to five total hours (including cocktail hour)

• Alcohol service ends 60 minutes before the event ends

• Last call should occur 10–15 minutes before service stops

• Water and non‑alcoholic beverages must be available at the bar

• A designated “go‑to” person (coordinator or responsible adult) must be available to assist the bartender if issues arise

FAQ’s- Why don’t I need a bartender at my home for a party but I do at my private wedding?

In a nut shell- Your home is not a regulated business. A wedding venue is. A wedding venue feels like a private event, but legally it is NOT treated the same as a party at someone’s home. A private residence has no commercial liability, no insurance requirements, and no regulatory oversight. A wedding venue, on the other hand, is a commercial property. That means:

• It must follow state and county alcohol regulations

• It must comply with insurance rules

• It must enforce risk‑management policies

• It can be inspected or held liable at a higher standard

• The law holds businesses to a much stricter duty of care than private homeowners.

• Homeowners’ insurance does not require a bartender. Commercial venue insurance does.

• At home, enforcement is rare unless something goes wrong. At a venue, enforcement is expected because:

• There are more people

• There is a higher risk of intoxication

• There is a commercial entity involved

• There is a paper trail (contracts, vendors, etc.

• Police, insurance companies, and courts hold venues and event hosts to a higher standard of responsibility.

A venue must protect itself from lawsuits — a home party does not.

If something happens at a home party, the homeowner might face consequences, but:

• They don’t have a business license to lose

• They don’t have commercial liability exposure

• They don’t have a reputation or online presence at risk

• They don’t have employees or contractors involved

• A venue has far more to lose, so the rules must be stricter.

• A venue cannot legally allow alcohol service by untrained people. A homeowner can.

“A wedding venue is a commercial property, not a private home. We are required by our insurance and by Maryland law to ensure alcohol is served safely and legally. At home, you can take personal risks. At a venue, we cannot. That’s why a licensed and insured bartender is required for any alcohol — even beer and wine.”

FAQ: I heard some wedding venues are using donkeys as part of their bar experience. Do you do that?

While 'Burro Bars' are a trend for rustic weddings, at Prosperity Mansion and Farm, in Frederick, MD, we do not include donkeys or other animals as part of the bar service. The idea may look charming in photos, our priority is always guest safety, legal compliance, and the well‑being of any animals on the property.

Maryland’s alcohol laws require that beer and wine be served in a controlled, supervised manner by adults over 21. Animals carrying alcohol make it impossible to monitor who is being served, how much is being taken, or whether minors have access. In addition, weddings can be loud and unpredictable environments, which can be stressful or unsafe for animals.

FAQ’s- Can a friend or family member serve alcohol if they’ve bartended before?

No. All alcohol must be served by a Maryland‑licensed and insured bartender with current alcohol‑service certification. Personal experience is not enough for legal compliance.

FAQ’s- What documents do we need to provide to prove that our bartender is within compliance with Maryland law and what Prosperity Mansion and Farm requires?

At least 30 days before your event, you must submit:

• A current copy of the bartender’s Maryland alcohol service license

• Current proof of Liquor Liability Insurance

• Prosperity Mansion and Farm listed as an Additional Insured

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FAQ’s- What happens if we don’t have a licensed bartender on the day of the event?

If alcohol is present without a licensed and insured bartender, all alcohol will be removed and disposed of immediately. This is non‑negotiable for legal and safety reasons. Without these documents, no alcohol will be permitted.

FAQ’s- How long can the bar stay open?

Bar service is limited to five total hours, including:

• One hour of cocktail service

• Three to four hours during the reception

Alcohol service must end 60 minutes before the event ends, with last call 10–15 minutes before that.

The bartender is required to slow or stop service. This is Maryland law and protects you from liability. Their decision is final.

FAQ’s- Do we need a point‑of‑contact for bar issues?

Yes. You must designate a “go‑to” person (a coordinator or responsible adult) who can assist the bartender if a guest becomes difficult or uncooperative.

FAQ’s -Why is the venue not responsible for monitoring intoxication?

We are not inside the tent during your event, and we do not observe guest behavior. For privacy and liability reasons, you and your bartender are responsible for alcohol‑related issues, not Prosperity Mansion and Farm.

FAQ’s - What happens if someone under 21 tries to drink?

The bartender will card anyone who appears underage and will refuse service. This protects you from severe legal consequences under Maryland law.

FAQ’s – If we just have beer and wine why is that considered alcohol and we need a bartender to hand out cans of beer or pour a simple glass of wine?

This is the single most misunderstood part of alcohol service at wedding venues. Most people think:

“Beer and wine are harmless. The rules are only for hard liquor.”

But legally, that is completely false and Maryland treats all alcohol the same under liability laws. A person can become just as intoxicated drinking beer and wine as hard liquor. From a legal standpoint, alcohol is alcohol. If a guest becomes intoxicated on beer or wine and causes an accident, the Social Host (the couple) can still be held responsible. Many people underestimate how strong beer and wine actually are:

• A glass of wine = a shot of liquor

• A craft beer can be 8–12% alcohol, stronger than many mixed drinks

• Guests often drink beer and wine faster because they don’t “feel” as strong

FAQ’s- How could someone get caught if they had a wedding without a licensed and insured bartender?  

A guest posts photos or videos and they become  public evidence. People love posting:

• “DIY bar!”

• “Pour your own drinks!”

• “We’re serving ourselves!”

• A neighbor calls the county- Noise complaints or parking issues often bring, police

• County liquor board inspectors

• If they see self‑serve alcohol, it becomes a violation.

• A guest becomes intoxicated and gets sick, injures themselves, gets into a fight, drives drunk

Police or EMS will ask who served the alcohol. If the answer is “no bartender,” the couple is immediately exposed. If anything happens and a claim is filed, the insurer will ask:

• “Who was the licensed bartender?” If the answer is “no one,” the claim is denied and the couple is exposed.

  
  

FAQ's- What are the repercussions?

This is where things get serious. Civil Liability, If someone is injured, the couple can be sued for:

• medical bills

• property damage

• pain and suffering

• wrongful death

These lawsuits can reach six or seven figures.

Criminal Charges- Depending on the situation:

• furnishing alcohol to a minor

• reckless endangerment

• disorderly intoxication

• violations of the Alcoholic Beverages Article

These can result in fines or even jail time.

County Fines- Liquor board violations can lead to:

• fines

• investigations

• venue penalties

Insurance Denial- If there is no licensed bartender:

• the couple’s event insurance can be voided

• the venue’s insurance is void

• the couple becomes personally responsible

Venue Consequences- The venue can face:

• loss of insurance

• county sanctions

• lawsuits

• reputational damage

Requiring a licensed and insured bartender is not simply a venue rule,  it is a legal and financial safeguard for you. This policy ensures that your celebration remains safe, compliant, and enjoyable, while protecting your future from preventable risks. At Prosperity Mansion and Farm, your safety and happiness are at the heart of everything we do. Our responsible alcohol policies reflect our commitment to protecting your celebration and your future. We would be honored to welcome you to our historic estate for a wedding day filled with beauty, care, and unforgettable moments. When you celebrate with us, you’re choosing a venue that values safety as much as romance, and professionalism as much as charm. We would be honored to host your wedding and help you create a day that is as secure as it is unforgettable.

Contact Prosperity Mansion and Farm a Frederick County, MD wedding venue:

Website- www.prosperitymansion.com

Email- prosperity_mansion@yahoo.com