Most states have a dram shop law to deter providers of alcoholic beverages (servers, liquor stores, bars, restaurants) who sell or serve alcoholic beverages under authority of a license or permit from selling or serving alcoholic beverages to obviously intoxicated individuals.

These laws generally eliminate any liability of servers, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants when a person to whom they sell or serve alcohol causes personal injury or property damage—whether in an automobile accident, a fight, or other incident—unless the person to whom they sell or serve alcohol is obviously intoxicated.

Laws regarding dram shop liability vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

Virginia does not have a dram shop law that holds alcohol vendors civilly liable for the actions of their intoxicated patrons. Unlike many other states, Virginia does not allow a person injured by an intoxicated individual to sue the establishment that served or sold the alcohol, even if the individual was obviously intoxicated at the time of service. However, Virginia does have laws that prohibit the sale of alcohol to minors and to individuals who are intoxicated. Violation of these laws can result in criminal charges against the server or establishment, but not civil liability for subsequent actions of the customer. It is important for establishments that serve or sell alcohol to be aware of these regulations and for individuals to understand that in Virginia, the responsibility for damages caused by intoxication generally rests with the person who consumed the alcohol, not the provider.