Workers' comp class code · Food & Hospitality
Class code 9074 — Bar or Tavern
Serving alcoholic beverages, including bartenders and cocktail servers.
This classification covers bars and taverns where alcohol service is the primary business, as distinct from restaurants where food is the main draw. It applies to neighborhood bars, sports bars, nightclubs, and similar venues built around beverage service and socializing rather than dining.
Payroll typically includes bartenders, cocktail and bar servers, door and security staff, and cleanup crews. Live entertainment or late-night venues may also carry DJs, sound techs, or coat check staff depending on how the operation runs.
Injury exposure here tends to run a bit higher than a typical restaurant because of the later hours, crowd dynamics, and occasional altercations, alongside the usual slip and strain risks from carrying kegs, bottles, and glassware. Cuts from broken glass and injuries from crowd control situations are more common concerns in this classification than in general food service.
What code 9074 typically includes
- Bartenders and barbacks
- Cocktail and bar servers
- Door staff and security personnel
- DJs, sound techs, or entertainment staff at nightlife venues
- Cleanup and closing crew
Codes this one gets confused with
9079 — Restaurant — Full Service
Establishments where food is the primary draw and alcohol is secondary are typically classified as restaurants instead of bars.
See code 90799052 — Hotel — Restaurant Employees
A hotel lounge or bar is usually captured under the hotel's food and beverage classification rather than a standalone bar code.
See code 9052What this code means for your premium
Bars and taverns generally carry a higher workers' comp rate than full-service restaurants, reflecting later hours, alcohol-related incidents, and security exposure.
Estimate your premiumClassification is not final until a carrier assigns it. Code numbers, wording and exceptions vary by state and rating bureau — several states run their own bureaus. This page is general reference written in our own words; your carrier's underwriter assigns the code based on your actual operations and payroll records.
Questions about code 9074
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