If you’re looking to start a mobile bar business in Pennsylvania, you’re in luck! The Keystone State is home to a thriving food and beverage industry, and the demand for mobile bars at events, weddings, and parties is on the rise. However, before you can start serving up cocktails and beers on wheels, you need to ensure that you have all the necessary licenses and permits in place.
What is a “Dry Hire?”
Most of the mobile bar businesses we see in our Facebook group mention they are a dry hire service, meaning the client provides the alcohol and the mobile bar provides everything else (ice, cups, mixers, bartenders, equipment, etc). It is still possible to “sell” or provide the alcohol to your clients but there are certainly more hoops to jump through.
We’ll explore the process of starting a mobile bar in PA, the licensing requirements you need to know, and the steps you need to take to get your business up and running. Whether you’re a seasoned bartender looking to branch out on your own or an entrepreneur with a passion for the hospitality industry, this guide will provide you with the information you need to succeed in the world of mobile bars in Pennsylvania. So, let’s get started!
In Pennsylvania, operating a mobile bar business that serves alcohol requires obtaining several licenses and permits. This includes mobile bars that provide the alcohol or operate as a dry hire. Here are the licenses and permits you need to operate your mobile bar business in Pennsylvania:
- Business Licenses: You will need to obtain a business license from the Pennsylvania Department of State.
- Liquor License: To sell and provide alcohol, you must obtain a liquor license from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. There are several types of liquor licenses, and you will need to determine which one is right for your business.
- Health Permit & Mobile Food Facility (MFF) License: You will need to obtain a health permit and MFF license from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to operate your mobile bar business.
- Special Event Permit: If you plan to sell and serve alcohol at special events such as festivals, weddings, or concerts, you may need to obtain a special event permit from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
- Insurance: General Liability, Liquor Liability & Auto Insurance for a commercial rig
- RAMP Certification: A certification done online focused on training for serving alcohol
Business License
In order to get your mobile bar business off the ground, you’ll need to get your business license from the Pennsylvania Department of State. This process is very straight forward and you can get the process started here on the government website. You will also need to get your LLC with the state to protect your personal assets in a worst case scenario. To obtain your LLC, you can apply through the government website or use a registered agent to do the work for you (companies like LegalZoom offer their services).
Liquor License
If your business is planning on providing or selling alcohol, you’ll need to have a liquor license. As of now, the State of PA doesn’t provide liquor licenses to those without a brick and mortar location. Your options are to open a brick and mortar location and apply for a liquor license or you can work with a brick and mortar location to partner with them. From what we’ve seen in our Mobile Bar Facebook group, you will be operating as a dry hire mobile bartending service. This simply means you will provide a mobile bartending service, provide equipment, mixers, ice, cups and other services you like to provide.
Health Permit & MFF License
Depending on your county and what services you will provide, you will need to get a health permit and mobile food facility license from the Department of Agriculture in Pennsylvania. The state wants to be sure if you are preparing food, garnishes, mixes or anything consumable for your business that you have the correct set up and inspections to service your clients. From the conversations we’ve seen in the Mobile Bar Hub Group, most dry hires operate with just the MFF license.
Special Events Permit
A special events permit is for those mobile bar businesses that have a liquor license and will be selling or supplying the alcohol to clients on site. In these cases, you will need to fill out a Special Events permit for each event you do serve. You can do this online and from what we’ve seen, they are approved quickly.
Insurance
The required insurance for your mobile bartending business will be general liability insurance. The liquor liability insurance is technically not “required” for a dry hire but a good portion of PA mobile bars do have the liquor insurance as well. If you are going to be towing a rig, trailer or mobile bar on the road, you will also need to get commercial auto insurance to protect your business. It is more likely than not that your personal auto insurance will cover any accidents that involve your trailer or rig.
RAMP Certification
A RAMP certification is not required for servers and bartenders in the state of PA to serve alcohol. It is an online training focused on laws of serving alcohol, best practices, things to avoid, how to properly ID and preventing over serving guests. This is not a requirement for you but it will help you when locations like wedding venues are looking for bartenders and require the training.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal or business advice. While we strive to keep the content accurate and up-to-date, laws and regulations may change, and individual circumstances vary. It is crucial to consult with qualified professionals, such as legal and insurance experts, to obtain advice tailored to your specific situation. Any decisions made based on the information in this blog are at your own risk, and we do not assume any liability for actions taken as a result of reading this content. Always seek professional advice before making important business or legal decisions. Remember to consult with a legal professional to ensure that the disclaimer is appropriate for your specific context and complies with relevant laws and regulations.
