Cape Fear Wedding: North Carolina alcoholic beverage regulations for catering

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North Carolina liquor laws
Caterer or party's host can get alcohol permit

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Before you raise your glass for your first champagne toast, be sure your plans don�t violate state alcohol regulations.
North Carolina�s Alcoholic Beverage Control system (ABC) governs how alcohol is sold and served.

The host of a reception may serve beer and wine without a special permit.

Photo by Tom Sapp

If your reception is held in a restaurant or hotel, the establishment�s ABC license covers the beer, wine and liquor served to your guests. To serve alcohol at other locations, the caterer must have a �mixed beverages catering permit.� That�s shown by the letter �C� under �alcoholic beverage license� in our Reception Site Directory.

to Reception Site Directory.
    If you are buying your own liquor, you can get a one-time �special occasions permit.� It isn't required if you're serving just beer and wine. The permit allows the designated host of the party to bring distilled liquor to the reception site to be served to your guests. This permit costs $50 and requires an application to the state ABC office in Raleigh two weeks in advance. The �host� must be at least 21 and have no criminal record, and is not permitted to drink at the party.
    Forget about covering your costs by setting up a cash bar: it�s illegal under the special occasions permit.
    For applications and information, contact the Alcohol Law Enforcement office at 108I N. Kerr Ave., Wilmington 28405, (910) 395-3902, or go to www.ncabc.com.

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