Michigan Should Consider Issuing “Off-Premise” Licenses To Regulate Special Event Liquor Sales and to Provide Additional State Revenue

TROY, Mich. – After planning and implementing more than 300 catered events in 2007, the staff at Forte Belanger in Troy is poised to have another banner year in the off-premise corporate catering and event planning industry in 2008. But an ambiguous Michigan law regarding the serving of alcoholic beverages at these off-premise events leads to a disregard of regulations by many liquor license holders, according to John Forte, president of Forte Belanger.

“Current Michigan law states that a special event license is not needed when ‘providing’ alcohol beverages at corporate or social events if a license doesn’t exist at the specific address where alcohol is being served,” Forte said. “The problem that we frequently face is that individuals and corporations that host special events are not aware of what the liquor board regulations are for these events, and this leads to a disregard of regulations by certain liquor license holders.”

Forte said that because of the ambiguity, many restaurants, hotels and clubs that have liquor licenses take that license off-site to sell alcohol at a per person or per drink basis, which is illegal for both the seller and their client.

“The current law states that no license is required when an event is ‘providing’ alcoholic beverages, but a liquor license must be obtained if alcohol is being sold at the event, either at a cash bar or as part of the ticket price, Forte indicated. “However, the State of Michigan does not provide for any such licensing other than for non-profit organizations, so many events are serving alcohol without regulation or control by the Liquor Control Board."

Forte said he and other off-premise caterers and event planners are in favor of the State of Michigan providing “special event” liquor licenses, where certified and specially-trained bartenders would mandate responsible alcohol consumption, thereby abiding by and enforcing all state laws.

“Why not create additional revenue potential for businesses and the state of Michigan by issuing off-premise’ liquor licenses?” Forte asked. “By doing so, the State would also create a safer, more responsible consumption environment by issuance of these special event permits.”

Forte added that until such “off-premise” licensing becomes a reality in Michigan, the special events industry, and it’s customer, will always be walking a fine-line between what is and isn’t “legal.” Michigan remains just one of two states in the country that doesn’t have such licensing in place yet.