Selling or supplying alcohol at an event can involve different approvals depending on who is running it, where it is held and whether you already hold a liquor licence. A permit that suits a club fete will not suit a commercial festival bar. We help you work out which path fits and prepare the paperwork. OLGR makes the decision.
First question: do you already hold a licence?
Existing licensees have one-off options linked to their licence, such as temporarily extending the licensed area, one-off extended trading hours or catering off-site. If you do not hold a licence, the right approval depends on the type of business or organisation you run, and a licence application may be the better conversation.
Commercial events and off-site catering
Eligible licensees can seek a licence endorsement to cater off-site and a commercial public event permit. The endorsement covers private functions organised by other people away from your premises. The permit covers commercial public events such as festivals or trade shows.
- Commercial hotel licensees
- Nightclub licensees
- Commercial other subsidiary on-premises licensees
- Commercial other subsidiary off-premises licensees
Community liquor permits are for clubs, not every event
A community liquor permit lets a licensed club seek temporary approval to sell alcohol to the public at a one-off event, such as a festival, sporting event or fete. It is not a general pathway for commercial operators. OLGR's exemption self-assessment questionnaire can show whether an organisation is exempt from needing the permit.
Community other licence holders approved to trade 25 hours per week who want to extend their hours for a one-off event need to apply for both a community liquor permit and a temporary change to the licensed area.
Events in public places
If your event is in a public place where people intend to drink, such as an outdoor wedding or festival, Queensland guidance says to check with your local council first about whether you need a licence or permit.
Other one-off approvals
Some producers have their own event options, including licence conditions for craft beer or artisan spirits at promotional events, interstate producer permits and wine permits for one-off events. If your one-off need is extra space or later hours at your own venue, see our licence changes and extended trading hours pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my business get a community liquor permit for a commercial event?
Queensland guidance describes community liquor permits for licensed clubs selling at one-off events. A commercial operator usually needs to look at other options, such as off-site catering approvals. We can help you identify the right path.
I run a restaurant. Can I run a bar at a festival?
Commercial other subsidiary on-premises licensees are among those eligible to seek an endorsement to cater off-site and a commercial public event permit. Whether it suits your event depends on your licence and the event details.
Do I need approval to cater a private function away from my venue?
The endorsement to cater off-site covers private functions organised by other people and held away from your licensed premises, for eligible licence types.