New rule in Wisconsin threatens barn venues

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tunes4046

tunes4046

DJ Extraordinaire
Jul 24, 2008
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Fennimore Wi
Starting January 1st barn venues in Wisconsin will be required to have a class a liquor license to serve alcohol on the premises. Previously this was not a requirement as weddings were considered private events. This is an expensive change for these venues, further more a liquor license may not be available for there location as local government has to approve them
 
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I hear you and you're right. A liquor license can be very expensive and some owners can't afford them. Especially since we're talking about barn venues. A lot of those venues don't have a large sum of money to purchase a liquor license. Now my understanding is they have a one day license you can purchase. I was told it cost $100. Don't know if that's true or not. I was told around here a liquor license can cost 100K. Bottom line are some of those venues will be going out of business because they can't afford a liquor license. In some cases even if it costs 10K some owners can't afford that.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I hear you and you're right. A liquor license can be very expensive and some owners can't afford them. Especially since we're talking about barn venues. A lot of those venues don't have a large sum of money to purchase a liquor license. Now my understanding is they have a one day license you can purchase. I was told it cost $100. Don't know if that's true or not. I was told around here a liquor license can cost 100K. Bottom line are some of those venues will be going out of business because they can't afford a liquor license. In some cases even if it costs 10K some owners can't afford that.
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You cannot purchase a 1 day license in Wisconsin
 
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It to may not hold up.
They tried imposing an "entertainment tax" on DJ's and bands playing at any event in a local city.
It was only $35....
but they forgot that you can only collect the money, if you pay someone to collect the money.
And they couldn't afford to hire someone and drive around checking all the venues.
They actually expected the venue owners to let them know when there was an event....
and even tried to get the owners to collect the fee.
It didn't last.
 
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Ausumm said:
It to may not hold up.
They tried imposing an "entertainment tax" on DJ's and bands playing at any event in a local city.
It was only $35....
but they forgot that you can only collect the money, if you pay someone to collect the money.
And they couldn't afford to hire someone and drive around checking all the venues.
They actually expected the venue owners to let them know when there was an event....
and even tried to get the owners to collect the fee.
It didn't last.
Click to expand...
There is a small town I play in that is a bar has a band or dj they are required to go to city hall and purchase a $10 dance permit, they actually enforce it
 
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That's not a change I would disagree with. Any venue hosting and serving alcohol should be required to hold a liquor license. That also applies to 3rd party vendors who provide bar servcie.

A bride hosting a wedding on private property, without a caterer or paid bar serrvice would be exempt - just like anyone hosting their own Christmas party at home on their own property.

If you pay to use a barn - that's a commercial transaction and the barn becomes a venue. If you pay to hire a bar service - that;s a comercial application.
 
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tunes4046 said:
Starting January 1st barn venues in Wisconsin will be required to have a class a liquor license to serve alcohol on the premises. Previously this was not a requirement as weddings were considered private events. This is an expensive change for these venues, further more a liquor license may not be available for there location as local government has to approve the
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In Maryland this is how the laws generally read:

A class A license no matter what seems strict, BUT it seems about on par with how this is handled in Maryland :dontknow:

🥂 1. Selling or Serving Alcohol Requires a License​


  • If alcohol is served or sold to guests at a venue that isn’t already licensed for on-premises alcoholic beverage service, then some form of alcohol license or permit is typically required.
  • Maryland law has specific banquet/venue licenses (e.g., Class B-BF for banquet facilities) that allow venues to sell beer, wine, and liquor during events like banquets and weddings. FindLaw Codes

🍾 2. One-Day or Special Event Licenses​


  • Many counties in Maryland allow one-day liquor or special event licenses so alcohol can be served at a specific event (e.g., a wedding or festival).
    • These are often limited in duration (usually 1 day) and require application to the local Board of License Commissioners. Montgomery County Maryland+1
  • In Montgomery County, for example, a Class C One-Day Special License must be obtained if beverages will be served or sold at a public or ticketed event. Montgomery County Maryland

🍷 3. Caterer License Option​


  • A Statewide Caterer’s License (SCAT) allows a licensed caterer to legally serve alcoholic beverages at events around the state. If a licensed caterer provides alcohol at your wedding, that may fulfill the requirement without the venue itself needing a separate license. ATCC

🧾 4. Private Events vs. Commercial Service​


  • Maryland does not clearly exempt private events just because they’re “weddings” — the key factors include:
    • Whether alcohol is sold or given away.
    • Whether the venue/host holds a valid on-premises license (like a restaurant or banquet hall license).
    • Whether alcohol is provided by a licensed caterer or retail holder with appropriate permits.

So the practical rule is:


✅ Yes — if you are serving alcoholic beverages outside of a place that already has a valid liquor license (or using a licensed caterer), the event will need the appropriate permit or liquor license.
✅ No — if the venue itself is already appropriately licensed for alcohol service or a licensed caterer handles the alcohol under its own license, then no separate license may be required.


Summary:
Maryland does not automatically exempt weddings or private events from liquor licensing. Serving alcohol at a venue generally requires a liquor license or permit (or service by a licensed caterer), and many counties offer one-day special licenses for events like weddings.
 
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