2019Q2SpiritedVA - 21

Licenses and Variations
Virginia ABC issues different
licenses to accommodate a variety
of circumstances. After all, there
are many reasons to party and
plenty of ways to have fun! The
three primary licenses consumers
should be aware of are:
Banquet license. Issued
to individuals (representing
themselves or a group or
company) for private events
such as birthdays, anniversaries,
weddings, reunions, and so
on, where beer, wine or mixed
beverages are provided at no
charge. This also allows guests to
bring their own alcohol.
Banquet Special Event
license. Issued to nonprofit
corporations or associations
holding a public or private event
being conducted for an athletic,
charitable, civic, educational,
political or religious purpose, and
not for personal monetary gain.
Authorizes beer and/or wine sales

for on-premise consumption,
and guests may bring their own
alcohol. Does not authorize the
sale of mixed beverages.
Mixed Beverage Special
Event license. This license is
issued to nonprofit corporations or

associations (for the purposes as in
the Banquet Special Event license,
and not for personal monetary gain),
but authorizes mixed beverage sales
for on-premise consumption, but not
wine or beer; and guests may bring
their own alcohol.

Variations
Other licenses provide different
opportunities. Variations include:
* The sale of wine in closed
containers for off-premise
consumption for fundraising
purposes (but no more than one
such fundraiser per year).
* The sale of beer and wine for
on-site consumption.
* The sale of mixed beverages
for on-site consumption.
* For guests to bring their own
alcohol.
To apply: You can apply online if
you submit your application at least
12 days before the event date, or
by mail or in person (to your local

Virginia ABC regional office) within
10 days of the event. Payment varies
by the method of application.
To cover all your bases:
* Check with your regional ABC
agent to ensure you're totally in
compliance. (Go to www.abc.
virginia.gov/enforcement and
click on the link in the Regional
Offices sidebar to locate the
appropriate office.)
* Do not misrepresent your
event-i.e., be honest on the
application-so you don't end up
explaining yourself later to a judge!
* Be sure to follow other local
and community regulations too

(noise ordinances, parking, etc.).
* Always ensure responsible
drinking.
* Know and follow all license
rules: no one under the age of 18
may sell, serve or dispense beer;
no one who is intoxicated can
receive more alcohol; alcoholic
beverages must stay within the
designated area as outlined in the
license; etc.
* Never serve alcohol to a minor!
For more details, fees,
regulations and contact
information: Visit www.abc.
virginia.gov/licenses/get-alicense/banquet-licenses.

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2019 21

http://www.abc http://www.virginia.gov/enforcement http://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license/banque-licenses http://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license/banque-licenses http://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license/banque-licenses

2019Q2SpiritedVA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2019Q2SpiritedVA