Catering without a liquor license

[ctyler]

I am a start-up caterer and cannot afford to get a liquor license just yet. Is there a way that I can still fulfill client needs for liquor for events? For instance, I can contract out with a liquor supplier, but how can I serve the liquor at the event? Are there bartenders that I can hire through hospitality agencies that would be licensed so that I do not need to be?

If anyone can advise, I would appreciate it!!!

Thanks

[castironchef]

Liquor laws in the U.S. vary by state and by, to a certain extent, by city.

Best to check with your local Alcoholic Beverage Control agency for all the rules and regulations.

[psywise]

I recently discovered that where I am (Tasmania, Australia) I'm able to serve liquor without a license as long as it's paid for as a lump sum as part of a catering package, as opposed to punters paying for individual drinks. All waiting staff must have their Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate tho.

Liquor Coffee's and, suprisingly, mulled wine can be served and sold at any restaurant without a license.

[MikeLM]

OK- I'm not a pro, but I've done this, so I'll butt in here.

When our Rotary Club has a party, we buy the wine/beer/booze from a local liquor retailer. He delivers it, provides barware, a professional bartender, and THE DRAM SHOP INSURANCE. What's more, he will take back unopened bottles for full credit

Our parties typically run 40-80 people, so it's a pretty nice sale for him. If your catering gig is for 30-40 people or more, I would bet you could find a similar package near you, probably offered by a fairly large retailer.

(Unless you're in Pennsylvania)

Mike

[Jayme]

I am saying pretty much the same as Mike- see if your liquor supplier with host the bar for you. There are one's here in CA that will- they set up the bar, stock it and they collect the money for each drink. They usually put up a banner to advertise themselves, and you don't make any profit off it- but you have no outlay either- liquor, mixers, cups, bartender, etc.... it is all provided by the supplier. Good luck!

[MikeLM]

What Jayme describes is a little different than what I detailed- he is bringing in a retailer as an independent caterer- running a cash bar, in effect.

The Rotary usually has an open bar, so we buy the adult beverages outright and the retailer throws in the bartender, barware, and insurance.

Notice I capitalized THE DRAM SHOP INSURANCE because that is vital to protect you the caterer, and the host of the party you're catering for. If a guest gets sloshed at the affair and wipes out a family of seven while he's trying to drive home, probably both you and the host will be sued out of your gourds.

Get a certificate of such insurance in advance, just like you require from a general contractor doing work for you on your property.

Mike

[ctyler]

Thank you for all of the feedback!

[Egg_Benidict]

Tis hard work with out a licence, trust me. I know

[ctyler]

I'm sure it will be hard, unfortunately, until the business grows, I don't have the funds for the license or additional insurance coverage. Hopefully, my business will boom and I can fill those needs ASAP!