If you have a big birthday coming up or another family milestone, you may want to get some people together for a party. You haven’t quite decided where to host it yet, but you have a few ideas in mind.
You want people to be able to relax and have a drink at your get-together. Are there any legal considerations you need to think about?
The law in Florida
There are various laws that regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol in Florida. Under certain conditions, you may need to acquire a license under the Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Law, especially if you plan to sell drinks to your guests.
Are you selling alcohol?
If you plan to sell alcohol, then you will need to think carefully about licensing regulations. However, if you are not charging guests for their drinks, you may not need to apply for a license.
If you are hosting the event in a public space, then you do need to make sure that the consumption of alcohol is legally permitted on the premises. Such locations should be accustomed to dealing with similar events on a regular basis, so they should have all of the relevant licenses and permits in place. However, it is best not to assume this and carry out thorough checks beforehand.
Who is invited?
You also need to think carefully about who will be attending your event. Will it be open to the general public, or fully restricted to a closed list of family and friends? Parties that are open to the public will typically be governed by a much more rigid set of alcoholic beverage laws.
The last thing you want is for your big occasion to be dampened by a breach in Florida’s alcoholic beverage laws. As you make your plans, it may be best to seek legal guidance if you have questions.