self run cash bar at a garden wedding - advice needed please

top_dag20001

Hi all,


Having been reading through the forum for weeks now, and researching various ideas; I'm still confused as to the situation with having a self run cash bar at a marquee wedding in Northern Ireland.

As local moneysavings experts, would any of you good people have any ideas as to how you would go about this?

We are planning on having it in our own back garden, and are looking to stock the bar ourselves with basic drinks; red/white wine, 3-4 types of bottle beers, and small selection of spirits, and softdrinks; and get a couple of guys we know to run it (serve drinks, clear up glasses etc..).

We will be providing complementary reception and meal drinks to our guests, but wish to have a cash bar in the evening (where drinks are priced very cheaply); but crucially - where we can take the contributions from the bar and not some outside company; which would greatly help go towards paying for the day (we're on a tight budget!)

Our guests wouldnt be expecting a free bar anyway (we've experienced them getting far too messy before), and
we see this as a great way to both provide cheap alcohol and help with paying for the whole thing.

Note: I've heard of the "Temporary Events Notice" which would provide a temporary licence for self serving alcohol at an event that seems to exist for England & Wales, but cannot find anything for Northern Ireland.

saverbuyer

It's called an occasional liquor license in N.I.

GlynD

Here's a copy of the legislation for Northern Ireland. Very informative.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1996/3158/contents/made

The issuing of licences appears to be done by magistrates and I would assume information about issuing temporary licences could be obtained from a police officer with the rank of inspector or above at your nearest station. I'm sure this could be done by telephone initially. He/she would advise you if you need a temporary licence and how to go about obtaining it.

top_dag20001

saverbuyer & GlynD - Thanks very much for the replies.

The occassional licence seems to be directed towards already licenced premises (bars, clubs etc...) that want to sell alcohol at a one-off event held in unlicensed premises.

People have said that you can ask a local bar to do this for you, but they'll surely want their cut of the action?

Any way to get around this?

GlynD

top_dag20001 wrote: »

saverbuyer & GlynD - Thanks very much for the replies.

The occassional licence seems to be directed towards already licenced premises (bars, clubs etc...) that want to sell alcohol at a one-off event held in unlicensed premises.

People have said that you can ask a local bar to do this for you, but they'll surely want their cut of the action?

Any way to get around this?

That's why I would speak to a senior police officer (inspector or above). I'm quite sure they'd be able to tell you what you need to do (if anything) to have your cash bar.

saverbuyer

top_dag20001 wrote: »

saverbuyer & GlynD - Thanks very much for the replies.

The occassional licence seems to be directed towards already licenced premises (bars, clubs etc...) that want to sell alcohol at a one-off event held in unlicensed premises.

People have said that you can ask a local bar to do this for you, but they'll surely want their cut of the action?

Any way to get around this?

Don't think there is a way around it TBH. It's not my area of expertise. I'll try and get you more info but N.I. licensing law are as archaic as they come and I think this is the only way to do it.

GlynD

saverbuyer wrote: »

Don't think there is a way around it TBH. It's not my area of expertise. I'll try and get you more info but N.I. licensing law are as archaic as they come and I think this is the only way to do it.

The link I supplied above relates to an act which has 1996 as its date. So maybe it's not that bad? Do you not think that asking a police inspector would get the answer?

saverbuyer

GlynD wrote: »

The link I supplied above relates to an act which has 1996 as its date. So maybe it's not that bad? Do you not think that asking a police inspector would get the answer?

They've been looking at reform for years; our Order is pretty restrictive compared to GB.

Oh yes, a police officer, solicitor, or the courts service are all good bets.

ballyblack

What about a free bar with voluntary donations to the couple?

probably illegal, but worth considering ??

GlynD

ballyblack wrote: »

What about a free bar with voluntary donations to the couple?

probably illegal ??

Don't think that would be illegal because money wouldn't be changing hands for the drink.

saverbuyer

I've been at places where they used tokens. I had to buy the tokens outside the marquee and exchange at the bar for booze.

The tokens couldn't be sold inside the marquee.