In California, it is a well-known fact that to serve alcohol in special events, 1-day events, and private parties, you need a legal license. A liquor license in California region is subject to regulation by the Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC).
But the whole regulatory program is so complicated. It is very complex to understand which permits and licenses you require for all the different events like special events, 1-day events, and private parties.
There are many businesses and individuals in California that would like to serve alcohol, wine, beer, or spirits because this business has a lot of potential. But what are the liquor license rules for serving alcohol at a special event or at a private party?
We will explain the rules for you to understand them correctly with our guide:
Liquor License Laws for California Special Events:
The Alcoholic Beverage Commission in California states that you need to have a license/permit before a special event to serve alcohol there. Of course, there are some exceptions. They only offer exceptions for private parties. If your event is classified as a private event then there is no need to have a license.
Private Parties Are Exception:
A private party is defined as an event that is not open to the public. These events are only for specifically invited people, anyone can not attend these. These parties are for close people, so there should be no charge for alcohol.
All the liquor that is served in the party comes from the pocket of the host. If there is any kind of money charged as admission fees, bar fees, cork fees, or any other type of fees from theattendees, then it is not considered a private event. In a private party, there should be no cash bar. If some parties are charging other fees like entry fees, raffle fees, etc., then they need a license as it is not a private event at all.
These are th definitions of private parties as per the ABC in California.
How to Get a Special Event Permit?
To swerve alcohol at a Special Event you need a permit known as ABC 218. This permit allows you to serve liquor, alcohol, wine, or beer at a special event.
The process of obtaining an alcohol permit for your special event is straightforward. You'll need to arrange for what is called an “ABC Event Permit” (ABC 218). This permit allows alcohol to be furnished and served at non-private party-type special events.
To do this, you'll need to hire a catering company licensed with the Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC). The catering company will be responsible for 'serving' the alcohol. You can purchase the alcohol on your own. Once you've made these arrangements, the request and permit fee for the event permit should be submitted and paid to ABC at least 10 days prior to the event. You need to sell liquor license in Santa Clara and fulfill the ABC criteria for selling liquor.
File the ABC 218 Application Make Us a Catering Company?
Regrettably, the process is not as simple as 'becoming' a catering company to file the ABC 218 permit. A catering company must already possess a liquor license. Once this is in place, the license that allows them to cater alcohol is added to their existing license. Subsequently, the catering company can apply for a special event permit.
If your business or entity needs to hire a liquor catering company, you must comply with the rules established by ABC. The California Alcoholic Beverage Commission needs sufficient compliance with the license and permit laws.
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