Serving alcohol at an event (ABC / state license)

If you'll serve or sell alcohol at a public event, you almost always need a per-event license from your state's alcohol authority — separate from any restaurant's own on-premises license. In Virginia that's the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC), via a Banquet or Special Event license.

What they typically want:
• Event details and dates.
• A designated licensee / responsible person.
• A layout showing where alcohol is served.
• A server-training / ID-check plan.

Apply early — plan on at least 30 days ahead. On the Permits page, toggle "Serving alcohol" to surface this, see the authority's official site, and draft your intro email asking for their current requirements, timeline, and fees.

General guidance, not legal advice — confirm the current process with the authority before you rely on it.