What Permits a Caterer Needs to Serve Alcohol at Off-Site Events

A Texas caterer serves alcohol at an off-site event under the temporary-location authority that comes with its on-premise retail permit. A Mixed Beverage Permit, a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit, or a Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License allows sales at picnics, celebrations, and similar events, within limits set for each, and a private club has a narrower version limited to certain sponsored events, as long as the holder follows TABC’s process for the event. Small private events can go ahead on a File and Use Notification with no waiting; everything else needs TABC’s approval of a Temporary Event Authorization, filed at least 10 business days ahead to avoid late fees.

Where the authority comes from

The Alcoholic Beverage Code gives each on-premise retail permit its own temporary-location section:

Permit or license	Section	What it covers
Mixed Beverage Permit (MB)	<a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/AL/htm/AL.28.htm">28.19</a>	authorized beverages, including spirits, at picnics, celebrations, and similar events, and at other temporary locations where mixed beverages are legal
Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG)	25.16	wine and beer up to 17 percent, for consumption on or off the event premises, at a picnic, celebration, or similar event, for no more than four consecutive days at the same location
Retail Dealer's On-Premise License (BE)	69.18	beer at a picnic, celebration, or similar event in the county where the license was issued, for no more than four consecutive days at the same location
Private Club Registration Permit (N)	32.25	service at an event in the club's county sponsored by a political party or association, a charitable or civic organization, a fraternal organization in existence more than five years, or a religious organization, no more than twice a year for the same sponsor, with spirits bought from a local distributor

The permit sets what can be served. A caterer with a BG can pour wine and beer at an event but not spirits. For an MB holder, Section 28.19 requires spirits sold at a temporary location to be bought from the holder of a local distributor’s permit, and the location must be one where mixed beverages are legal.

File and Use Notification or Temporary Event Authorization

As of September 26, 2026, TABC’s temporary event authorizations page sets two paths for on-premise retailers and wineries.

File and Use Notification (FUN). The caterer can submit the form at any time before the event and begin serving without waiting for approval if all of these are true:

• the event is private, not open to the public;
• estimated attendance is 500 people or fewer;
• the estimated wholesale value of the alcohol provided or sold is less than $10,000;
• the event is not sponsored by a manufacturer or wholesaler; and
• the owner of the property has authorized the event.

There is no filing fee, and a form covers up to four consecutive days.

Temporary Event Authorization (TEA). Every event that does not meet the FUN criteria needs a TEA, and the caterer must wait for TABC’s approval before selling or serving. A TEA also covers up to four consecutive days.

When the TEA form reaches TABC	Late filing fee
10 or more business days before the event	none
9 to 7 business days before	$300
6 to 4 business days before	$500
3 to 1 business days before	$900

Both forms can be filed in AIMS. For longer events, a separate form is needed for each four-day period, all submitted together.

What the caterer should confirm for each event

1. The permit covers the drinks. Spirits need an MB; wine and beer can run on a BG; beer only on a BE.
2. The location is legal for those sales. Wet or dry status at the event address controls, not the status at the caterer’s home premises.
3. The right form. Public events, events over 500 guests, alcohol worth $10,000 or more at wholesale, and supplier-sponsored events go on a TEA.
4. Timing. File a TEA at least 10 business days ahead, and do not serve until it is approved.
5. The venue’s consent. The property owner must authorize the event.

A nonprofit without its own TABC license does not use this process; it applies for a Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit instead.

This article is general information about Texas alcoholic beverage law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Statutes and TABC rules change; confirm current requirements with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the relevant city or county, or a licensed Texas attorney before acting.