Special licence application form

Apply for a special licence if you want to sell alcohol at a one-off event or series of events. Under a special licence, customers must pay for the alcohol they consume – either over a bar, as a koha, or as part of the event entry fee or ticket price.

Examples of when you need a special licence: 

  • ticketed events like festivals, concerts and sporting events where alcohol is included in the ticket price or sold at a bar
  • bus, train and limo trips where alcohol will be sold or included in the price of the ticket
  • an event at a licensed premises that's not covered by the normal licence – for example, a band playing outside your normal licensed hours
  • social club and community club events where membership fees go towards buying alcohol.

There are two types of special licence

On-site: Apply for this special licence if people will drink alcohol at the event

Off-site: Apply for this special licence if people will buy alcohol to take away, or if you will be offering small tastings at the event site

Please ensure you complete the correct application for your event.

For both types of special licence, you also need to complete the medical officer of health questionnaire.

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