Serving Permits & Liquor Licenses: What Clubs Need to Know

If you want to serve alcoholic beverages at club events, street festivals, or in a clubhouse, you need a permit in Germany. The type of permit your club must apply for depends on the occasion, the location, and the nature of the service. This article provides an overview of everything related to liquor licenses and temporary permits, from the application process to the costs.

What is a liquor license?

A liquor license is the official authorization to serve alcoholic beverages to the public at a specific location. Without this permit, your club is not allowed to serve alcohol to non-members.

Various terms are used in connection with serving drinks, which are often confused. Liquor license and serving permit essentially mean the same thing: the authorization to serve alcoholic beverages. A restaurant concession (also known as a catering license) is more comprehensive and authorizes the permanent operation of a restaurant where food is served alongside drinks for on-site consumption. The terms serving license and liquor permit are used interchangeably in everyday language.

The requirement for a permit arises from the Restaurant Act (GastG). The basic requirement: As soon as alcoholic beverages are served with the intent to make a profit or to an open group of people, your club needs a permit. The liquor license is tied to the club as a legal entity and cannot be transferred to other individuals or business premises. The link between the license and the operation is fixed.

Requirements: To issue a liquor license, the responsible authority checks three things: the personal reliability of the person in charge (certificate of good conduct, extract from the central trade register), professional suitability (IHK catering instruction), and suitable premises that are legally approved for catering operations.

Legal basis: Restaurant Act

In Germany, the Restaurant Act regulates the rules for serving drinks and hosting guests. Two points are particularly relevant for clubs.

Section 12 GastG (Temporary Permit): This section regulates the permit for the temporary serving of alcoholic beverages at special events. The one-time permit under Section 12 is the correct form of authorization for most club events.

Youth Protection Act: Strict regulations apply to the protection of minors when serving alcohol. It is prohibited to sell beer and wine to those under 16 and spirits to those under 18. These obligations apply to every occasion, whether it is a clubhouse or a street festival.

Does my club need a liquor license?

The answer depends on three factors: intent to make a profit, the group of people, and the type of operation.

Intent to make a profit and commercial business operations

A liquor license is required if your club intends to generate revenue from the sale of drinks that exceeds mere cost recovery. In this case, it is considered a commercial business operation, which is treated differently for tax purposes than a non-profit activity. Even if the intent to make a profit is low, the local regulatory office may require a permit.

Private vs. public events

For a private event that is exclusively accessible to club members, you can generally forgo a permit, provided no sales to third parties take place. However, as soon as your event is public and allows non-members to be served alcoholic beverages, the permit requirement applies.

Typical cases in club practice

You need a liquor license if you want to serve drinks to guests at summer festivals, anniversary celebrations, or street fairs. The same applies to regular service in a club restaurant or clubhouse. If you operate a clubhouse where alcoholic beverages and food are permanently sold to guests, you even need a full restaurant license.

If the event takes place on public property, a second permit is required in addition to the liquor license. You can find out what this is and who issues it in the guide on permits for street fairs.

Exception: A private member-only event without the sale of drinks is often exempt from permits. When in doubt, check with your local public order office.

Overview of permit types

Depending on the occasion and the type of operation, various permits may be relevant for clubs.

Liquor license

A liquor license is a permanent permit for regular service in a club restaurant or clubhouse. Anyone holding a liquor license is permitted to serve alcoholic beverages to guests during regular operations. The license is tied to the location and the applicant.

Restaurant license (catering concession)

You need a restaurant license if your club operates a restaurant where, in addition to drinks, food and meals are offered for on-site consumption. It is subject to stricter requirements than a simple liquor license and requires suitable premises for restaurant operations. The concession covers the entire catering business.

One-time permit (§12 GastG)

For most clubs, the one-time permit is the most relevant form of authorization. This temporary permit is valid for a specific occasion, such as a summer festival or an anniversary celebration. The validity period generally covers the day or weekend of the event.

The type of permit you need depends on the scope. An annual club festival with beer and wine requires a one-time permit. A permanently operated club pub requires a liquor license or restaurant concession.

Applying for a liquor license: How to proceed

Responsible authority: Applications are processed through the local public order office or trade office. Many municipalities provide application forms as online forms or PDF downloads on their websites.

Deadlines: The application should be submitted at least six weeks before the event. It must be received by the public order office no later than two to three weeks in advance to ensure processing is completed on time.

Required information in the application: The application form generally requires the following details: club name and legal form, authorized representative, date and location of the event, expected number of visitors, type of event, and a description of the beverages offered (alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, spirits).

Required documents and records: For the application, you will need: a copy of the club statutes, proof of authorization to represent the club, a certificate of good conduct for the person in charge, a site plan of the event area, a brief hygiene concept, and, if applicable, proof of the suitability of the premises. Have all documents and records ready before you submit the application.

How much does a liquor license cost?

The costs for a liquor license vary depending on the municipality, the type of business, and the scale of the event. For a one-time permit, fees generally range between 20 and 200 euros. A permanent liquor license or catering concession is more expensive, and costs can reach several hundred euros depending on the local authority.

The amount of the fees depends on the duration of the event, the expected number of attendees, and the range of beverages offered. Inquire about the exact fees with the local public order office well in advance.

Anyone registering for a liquor license is usually also planning music and announcements for the event. Both should be part of the same planning process, as the permit often sets specific noise limits. A sound system with easily adjustable volume levels is more important than raw power. The PA systems for club events listed here include their power ratings.

Rules and obligations for serving alcohol

Anyone serving alcoholic beverages must comply with clear regulations. An overview of the most important rules:

Youth protection: Alcoholic beverages may not be sold to minors. Beer and wine are permitted from age 16, spirits from age 18. Consistently check proof of age and display youth protection regulations clearly at the serving area.

Hygiene: Hygiene standards for the storage and serving of beverages, as well as the preparation of food, also apply to club events.

Official requirements: Keep a written record of all official requirements. This includes opening hours, noise control regulations, and safety requirements for the premises. Violations can lead to the revocation of the permit.

Responsibility: The person submitting the application bears full responsibility for compliance with all regulations. Train your staff in youth protection and hygiene rules. In the event of violations, fines and the revocation of the liquor license may follow, with consequences directly affecting the club. Implement these rules consistently within your club activities.

Avoiding common mistakes

The most common mistake with one-time permits is applying too late. If the application is not received by the public order office in time, the permit cannot be issued by the event date. Missing documents, such as a certificate of good conduct or a site plan, will further delay processing.

A serious mistake is serving alcoholic beverages without a valid permit. In this case, you face significant fines and, in the worst-case scenario, criminal consequences for the person responsible. You can only say "cheers" with a license.

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Are you planning a club event and need help with organization and technology in addition to the permit? You can find everything else you need to know in our event planning guide.