One Day Liquor License Guidelines

The guidelines below will help you prepare and plan for the event for which you are seeking a One-Day Liquor License, and also assist you with the required application process and submission of required materials.

  1. DEFINITIONS: When is a One-Day Liquor License required?

    • Whenever alcoholic beverages are served or available as part of an event, including:  Specific sale of alcoholic drinks, providing alcoholic drinks as part of the price of admission tickets, or providing alcoholic drinks as part of the event at no charge.

    • When selling tickets, requiring payment or purchase, or accepting donations for: admission; membership; club dues; food or a meal; Open house; fundraiser; entertainment function; or other advertised event open to public

    • A One-Day License is NOT required for private events such as a Wedding or Family Gathering held by a private resident at a private residence that doesn’t operate as an event venue

  2. DEADLINE: Applications and required materials for a Special One-Day Liquor License must be received at least 30 days prior to the event.

  3. LICENSE CATEGORIES

    • Non-Profit organizations may apply for either type of license (All Alcohol or Wine/Malt Beverage). Non-profit organizations are required to show proof of non-profit status.

    • For-Profit enterprises may only apply for a Wine/Malt Beverage license

  4. PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS: Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, all For-Profit enterprises issued a Special One-Day Liquor License must purchase alcoholic beverages from a licensed supplier.
    For-Profit enterprises cannot obtain the alcohol from a package store and cannot have the alcohol donated.
    All Non-Profit enterprises issued a Special One-Day Liquor License can purchase alcoholic beverages from a licensed supplier or receive donations of alcoholic beverages. Donations of alcohol may only be accepted for the purpose of serving such donated alcoholic beverages at a permitted event.

  5. BARTENDERS/SERVERS: ALL individuals who will serve, sell, deliver, and/or dispense alcoholic beverages must have current proof of completion (within last three years) of an approved Massachusetts alcoholic beverages server-training program. Servers must have certification on their person during event.

  6. INSURANCE: All applicants must submit as part of their One-Day application, a Certificate of Insurance Liability naming Town of Palmer as additional insured under your General Liability policy with limits not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. Please note insurance certificate should include coverage for set-up and clean-up dates.

  7. LICENSE LIMIT: A person may only be issued a maximum of thirty (30) One-Day Special Licenses in any calendar year.

    CANCELATIONS/REFUNDS: Events can only be held on the day and date approved by the Town of Palmer. Rain/snow dates for events must be noted on the application prior to approval. No refund is possible after a special one-day license has been issued. Issuance occurs with the delivery of the license and not on the effective date of the license.

  8. LOCATION - REQUIRED INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS:

    • A floor plan/map (8-1/2x11 sketch acceptable) showing exact location within the event area where alcoholic beverages will be dispensed may be required with the application.

    • The area where the alcoholic beverages are being sold and consumed must be controlled and supervised.

    • Minors are not allowed within the area where alcohol beverages are dispensed.

    • Individuals may not carry their alcoholic beverages outside the area approved for consumption.

    • State law requires a written letter addressed to the Local Licensing Authority approving sale/service of alcohol within or upon the premises if location is a Church, Synagogue, Educational Facility or Public property.

  9. INSPECTION: The licensed premises shall be subject to inspection at any time by the Palmer Police Department, by the Local Licensing Authority, by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, or by the duly authorized agent of any of them.

  10. APPROVED LICENSE: License must be posted in the most conspicuous place at the location of event for the duration of the event.