Delaware would offer licenses for private events with alcohol

The alcohol commissioner may grant a license to host a private event with alcohol. Event organizers and venue operators may apply for invitation-only gatherings of up to 1,000 people. Customers, their guests, or licensed off-site caterers may supply the alcohol, but the event license holder cannot receive, store, or sell it. A single-event license costs $50; a two-year venue license costs $1,000. The act would take effect upon enactment; the licenses would be put in place within six months or when final rules are announced, whichever comes first.

Private event license holders must carry insurance, make food available, and limit when guests drink alcohol. These rules cover licensed private events where alcohol is sold, served, or consumed. The commissioner decides what insurance and food selection are adequate. If a licensed off-site caterer is hired to provide alcohol, it must provide all alcohol at the event. Drinking would be barred from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.; holders of two-year venue licenses must report each event at least 10 business days before it starts.

The alcohol commissioner may license caterers to provide alcohol at private events without selling food. A caterer may serve an event on its own premises; an off-site caterer may serve an event at a place with a private event license. Someone must provide enough food while alcohol is sold, served, or consumed. If hired to provide alcohol, the caterer must provide all alcohol at the event and report the event as the commissioner requires.

The commissioner may not grant certain bottle club licenses after the act takes effect. The limit covers licenses for rented wedding and social-event spaces where customers bring alcohol. Earlier license holders may keep their licenses unless the commissioner revokes them. They may transfer a license with the commissioner's approval. The limit on issuing these licenses would apply after the act's effective date, which would be the date of enactment.