1. ​​ When do the changes to public places and event venues that allow the consumption of alcohol beverages take effect?


2. I want to continue to rent/lease my venue for events where alcohol beverages are consumed after January 1, 2026. What do my options include?


3. How do I obtain a No-Sale Event Venue Permit and what does this permit allow me to do?


4. I want to obtain a retail alcohol beverage license for my event venue. How do I obtain a license? What type of license do I need? How much do licenses cost?


5. What if my municipality does not have any "Class B" intoxicating liquor licenses available to be issued because they have reached their quota?


6. If I get a retail alcohol beverage license, what regulations or requirements do I have to follow?

1. When do the changes to public places and event venues that allow the consumption of alcohol beverages take effect?

   Changes related to event venues that allow the consumption of alcohol beverages are effective January 1, 2026.

2. I want to continue to rent/lease my venue for events where alcohol beverages are consumed after January 1, 2026. What do my options include?

   Your options include:

   • obtain a No-Sale Event Venue Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Division of Alcohol Beverages, and limit the events where wine or beer are consumed to no more than 6 per calendar year and one per month, or:
   • obtain a retail alcohol beverage license(s) from the municipality where your venue is located, or
   • do not serve or allow consumption of alcohol beverages at events, thereby avoiding the need for a DOR permit or local license.
     
     

   See the Event Venue Operator Decision Tree.

3. How do I obtain a No-Sale Event Venue Permit and what does this permit allow me to do?

   The Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Division of Alcohol Beverages will create an application process for anyone who wishes to apply for a No-Sale Event Venue Permit. These applications will not be available for some time because the creation of the permit is not effective until January 1, 2026.

   The No-Sale Event Venue Permit will allow the property owner of an event venue to rent or lease their venue for events where fermented malt beverages (beer) and/or wine are consumed (distilled spirits may not be possessed or consumed at venues where a No-Sale Event Venue Permit has been issued). Additionally, several other restrictions apply to No-Sale Event Venue permittees, including:

   • permittees may not sell or otherwise provide alcohol beverages to renters, lessees, or attendees of events.
   • beer and/or wine must be provided to attendees free of charge (no cash bars, admission fees, or other kinds of direct or indirect sales).
   • most events will require that a licensed operator (bartender) be present to serve beer and/or wine.
   • events where beer and/or wine are consumed cannot occur on more than 6 days per calendar year and more than one day per month.
     
     
4. I want to obtain a retail alcohol beverage license for my event venue. How do I obtain a license? What type of license do I need? How much do licenses cost?

   Retail alcohol beverage licenses are issued by municipalities. Applications should be made to your municipal clerk. For more information on license applications, types, and fees you may contact your municipal clerk or review the following guidance documents:

   • Common Questions on Alcohol Beverage Laws for Retailers – Licenses
   • Publication 302 – Information for Wisconsin Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Retailers
   • Fact Sheet 3101 – Licenses for Retail Sale of Alcohol Beverages
   • Fact Sheet 3110 – Selling, Donating, and Giving Away Alcohol Beverages
     
     
5. What if my municipality does not have any "Class B" intoxicating liquor licenses available to be issued because they have reached their quota?

   There are several licensing options available to event venue operators located in municipalities that have reached their quota of "Class B" intoxicating liquor licenses.

   2023 Wisconsin Act 73 also establishes a new path for a "qualifying event venue" to be eligible for a municipal "Class B" (liquor) license quota exemption. In order to be a "qualifying event venue" for purposes of this exception, the venue property must meet the following requirements in the 12-month period preceding the application:

   • there were at least 5 events held at the venue where at least 50 invited guests attended (documentation required to confirm).
   • the venue owner received at least $20,000 in revenue from renting/leasing the venue for the aforementioned events (documentation required to confirm).
     
     

   Additionally, the Division of Alcohol Beverages (Division) must certify a "qualifying event venue" as eligible for the municipal "Class B" (liquor) license quota exemption only if they meet all of the following:

   • the venue is in operation on January 1, 2026 (documentation required to confirm).
   • the venue has not been a "Class B" licensed premises at any time in the 12 months preceding the date of application to become a "qualifying event venue."
   • the venue owner has not applied for a No-Sale Event Venue Permit.
   • the venue owner provides documentation to the Division that the municipality where the venue is located does not have any "Class B" licenses available to be issued.
   • the venue owner provides notice to the Division by March 2, 2026 that they are applying for a "Class B" liquor license and are not seeking a No-Sale Event Venue Permit.
     
     

   The Division cannot issue a certification for eligibility for the municipal "Class B" (liquor) license quota exemption to a "qualifying event venue" after August 1, 2026.

   For more information on municipal "Class B" (liquor) license quota exceptions, please call or email the Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Unit at (608) 264-4573; doralcoholtobaccoenforcement@wisconsin.gov or refer to the following resources:

   • Common Questions on Alcohol Beverage Laws for Retailers – Licenses
   • Publication 302 – Information for Wisconsin Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Retailers
   • Fact Sheet 3118 – "Class B" Liquor License Quotas
   • Fact Sheet 3116 – Reserve "Class B" Liquor Licenses
     
     
6. If I get a retail alcohol beverage license, what regulations or requirements do I have to follow?

   There are several regulations and requirements that apply to retail licensed premises. However, retail license holders would not be limited in the number of events they may hold. Some examples of requirements imposed upon retail licensees include keeping records, underage individuals on the premises, closing hours, licensed operators (bartenders) on site, and where you buy alcohol beverages from, just to name a few. For more information on requirements and regulations related to licensed premises, please review the following guidance:

   • Common Questions on Alcohol Beverage Laws for Retailers – Licensee Responsibilities
   • Common Questions on Alcohol Beverage Law Enforcement
   • Common Questions on Alcohol Beverage Laws for Retailers – Underage Alcohol Questions
   • Publication 302 – Information for Wisconsin Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Retailers

Applicable Laws and Rules

This document provides statements or interpretations of the following laws and regulations enacted as of December 21, 2023: chapter 125 Wis. Stats.

Laws enacted and in effect after this date, new administrative rules, and court decisions may change the interpretations in this document. Guidance issued prior to this date, that is contrary to the information in this document is superseded by this document, according to sec. 73.16(2)(a), Wis. Stats.