Last month was SNOBS first public get-together. It was not intended as a networking event; just a night out to enjoy some entertainment because “socialising leads to opportunity“. There was, however, every intention of offering a half-hour wine tasting before the entertainment (a movie) began.
The “complimentary wine on arrival” was a key part of our event pre-promotion, which ran for almost six weeks. But three days before the event we got news that our limited licence for a single function had NOT been approved. If you’ve ever found your mind wandering toward a relaxing glass of wine around 5pm, you can begin to imagine how our guests felt!
Chalk it up to experience. We’ve since discovered where we went wrong regarding the application process.
This article is to outline a few things we didn’t know, which is worth a read if you’re planning to offer complimentary bevvies at your next business event or promotion.
WHEN YOU NEED A LICENCE TO SUPPLY ALCOHOL
If liquor is being sold, a licence is required by the person/business selling it.
IMPORTANT: Even if the liquor you’re offering a guest/customer is “complimentary” it is still considered to be alcohol that you are selling if your guest had to purchase something in order to be offered a beverage.
This is where SNOBS slipped up: The wine organised was supplied as sponsorship – it would be offered to guests at no cost on the night – but you could not attend the event without purchasing a ticket.
It makes no difference if you can prove that ticket prices do not include purchase of alcohol, it’s still considered a sale. A good example of this is hair salons offering a glass of wine or champagne to clients. It is only complimentary because the customer is paying for hair styling so therefore it’s classified as liquor being sold and it is illegal.
WHEN YOU DON’T NEED A LICENCE TO SUPPLY ALCOHOL
If your event is free for anyone to attend and liquor is not being sold you can serve whatever you like without a licence. For example; an art gallery exhibition or seminar made open to the public – provided no sale occurs via entry fee, tickets or purchase of anything else. Another example would be a corporate function where liquor is served to staff and clients.
WHAT SORT OF EVENT/FUNCTION CAN YOU GET A LIMITED LIQUOR LICENCE FOR?
This licence is only available for functions held by a non-profit organizsation (or for a trade fair). A “function” is defined in the liquor laws as any dinner, ball, convention, seminar, sporting event, race meeting, exhibition, performance, trade fair or other fair, fete or carnival, or any other event or activity, that is conducted for public amusement or entertainment or to raise funds for any charitable purpose. For a surf life saving club, a ‘function’ includes any gathering of members of the club (and their guests) organised by the club for social purposes.
CAN ANY BUSINESS APPLY FOR A ONE-OFF LIQUOR LICENCE?
No. If your business or organisation is for profit, you cannot apply for a limited licence. The only exception to this is in respect of a trade fair.
This is also where SNOBS slipped up: Had we read the application form more carefully, we could have saved the time and money it cost to submit one in the first place. Again, chalk it up to experience.
Only non profit groups can apply for a limited licence to sell alcohol. For example; sports and community clubs or P&C groups.
HOW TO GET A LIQUOR LICENCE
• A licence to sell alcohol at a single function is called a “limited licence” and you need to lodge an application for one with the Casino, Liquor & Gaming Control Authority.
• It takes at least a month for an application to be reviewed and while it’s under consideration, anyone else can make a submission including police, council and residents. Therefore, you have to apply at least 28 days before the function.
• To apply for a liquor licence you (“the applicant”) must have responsible service of alcohol (RSA) qualifications. Your certificates have to be submitted with the application form. In addition, anyone serving liquor at the function must also be RSA trained.
• You’ll also need to know ahead of time how the function will be set-up; you must supply a floor plan of the proposed licensed area with your application. Plus, you’ll be asked to provide details of supervisory staff for the function, possibly even security.
• When applying for a limited licence, a notice must be provided to the local council and police within two working days of lodging the application.
• In NSW it costs $50 to submit an application for a limited licence, for a single function. You can download an application form from the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing. If approved, you’ll also need to purchase a statutory sign from the OLGR. This must be displayed at the bar or point of sale – it states liquor cannot be sold to under 18s.
• Outside NSW: the name of the licensing authority, and the application process, will differ in each state. Links to websites for interstate authorities can be found here.
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