What's the deal with alcohol for my wedding weekend?

Bride and groom in front of mobile bar at their wedding

New York State requires that all events at an establishments such as ours, hold a permit in order to consume alcohol.

You have a few different options to choose from depending on your preferences for consumption throughout your weekend long event.
You can learn more about the different permit types and apply HERE.

  1. NEEDED IF SERVING LIQUOR

    Hire a business that holds a ‘Catering Permit.’
    Ask your caterer if they are able to provide alcohol for your event. If they are, this is the best way to arrange liquor to be served at your event. The other option is to contact a bar service that has the ability to serve off premise with use of a catering permit.

    A Catering Permit is a one-day permit that authorizes currently licensed on-premises retailers to provide alcoholic beverages at specific, private events located off the premises. The applicant must provide food, in addition to alcoholic beverages at the event.

  2. BEST FOR A FUN CASUAL VIBE WITH A MOBILE BAR

    Hire a business that holds liquor liability insurance. Apply for a special event permit through the New York SLA - does not allow for consumption of liquor.
    If you are looking to hire a fun mobile bar or bar cart for your wedding with bartending service included, confirm if the bar service holds a liquor permit. Most mobile bars will hold liquor liability insurance only and will require that you arrange a temporary one-day beer and wine permit either on your own, or through them. They will most often ask you to arrange alcohol on your own and they will just serve it for you and monitor the consumption of your guests. There are a lot of mixed opinions from these companies around the need for a permit, however the NY SLA does require that events on our premise hold a liquor permit, so you must arrange a special event permit through the SLA either through the mobile bar service you hire, or on your own.

    A One-Day Beer and Wine Permit, also known as a Temporary Beer, Wine and Cider Permit, authorizes the sale and consumption of wine, beer or cider at retail for consumption at a gathering for a period of 24 hours.

  3. BEST FOR A CASUAL SERVE YOURSELF EVENT

    Secure a special event permit through the New York SLA - does not allow for consumption of liquor.
    You can apply for a special event permit yourself and have beer, wine and cider available for consumption at your event(s). This is a 24 hour license that costs $36 per bar. This means you can stock your own alcohol through a licensed distributor. You can ask a friend to bartend for you or place some ice in large buckets with cans and bottles for a serve yourself bar.

    A One-Day Beer and Wine Permit, also known as a Temporary Beer, Wine and Cider Permit, authorizes the sale and consumption of wine, beer or cider at retail for consumption at a gathering for a period of 24 hours.


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Alcohol Items of Note

  • If you are looking to have liquor served at your event, you must work with a business that holds a catering license.

  • If you are applying for a temporary beer, wine, cider permit you can apply for multiple dates at one time on your application.

  • You will need to request a landlord authorization form from us in order to apply for a permit.

  • You can apply for a permit up to 15 days prior to your event.

  • It may be best to hold off until you have hired your caterer to apply, since only one permit will be issued for the premises per day.

  • Alcoholic beverages must be purchased from a licensed brewer, winery, or wholesaler ONLY, and not from a retail licensee.

  • A separate permit is required for each point of sale for each date. The permit must be on display at the event.


Learn more and apply for a license with the SLA!


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