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One-Day Liquor License Guidelines

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

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

  • Whenever an alcoholic beverage is served or available as part of an event including specific sale of drinks or included charge in the price of tickets or provided 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 Beer and Wine). Non-profit organizations are required to show proof of non-profit status.
  • For-Profit enterprises may only apply for a Beer and Wine 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.

Click here for a list of Approved Sources and scroll down to "One-Day Permit" to download the most up to date list. Receipts for Alcohol purchase or donation must be kept on-site with License.

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 appropriate Massachusetts alcoholic beverages server-training program (TIPS). 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 City of Melrose 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 or entity may only be issued a maximum of thirty (30) One-Day Special Licenses in any calendar year.

8. CANCELATIONS/REFUNDS: Events can only be held on the day and date approved by the City of Melrose. 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.

9. 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.

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

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

12. EVENTS AT MEMORIAL HALL: Applicants are required to coordinate their delivery and pick-up times with the Executive Director of Memorial Hall, Kathy Pigott-Brodeur. The Authorized Hours of Sale on your application are NOT the same as your RENTAL hours. The Authorized Hours of Sale should match what is in your Memorial Hall Event Contract i.e. "event begins” and you must stop serving at least 30 minutes before the event ends.