Back in my mid 20’s, I spent 4 years in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas. These were some of the most important bartending years as I spent weekends cracking open Lone Star Lights and mixing cocktails at some of the most beautiful wedding venues. While Longhorns grazed during cocktail hour, I served celebrities like Lyle Lovett
Starting a mobile bar in Texas can be an exciting business to get started, but it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to licensing, permits, and insurance. In this guide, we’ll break down the key aspects to help you understand what it takes to kickstart your mobile bar business successfully in TX.
Alcohol Sales or Dry Hire: Mobile Bar Options in TX
Texas mainly operates as a dry hire state, meaning you can’t sell alcohol unless you have a brick-and-mortar location with a liquor license. However, there’s a workaround – restaurants, for instance, can set up a mobile bar through trailers for specific events. In this case, permits are crucial, ensuring compliance when selling alcohol at different locations. Notably, most mobile bars in Texas, are dry hire, requiring clients to purchase the alcohol for private events.
Laws regarding mobile bars can vary between counties and cities in Texas. It is important to consult necessary parties and seeking specific permits for each city where you operate outside your base city, such as in Austin or San Antonio. Understanding and complying with county regulations is vital. Reach out to the department of health and liquor liability department for accurate information for your specific location. Also, reach out to your local liquor commissioner for direct answers.
A common concern raised is whether the dry hire model is a profitable business model for mobile bartending. Your mobile bar’s success depends on effective marketing and sales strategies. Mobile bar entrepreneurs should focus on highlighting their services, including providing bartenders, mixers, and ice, while clients supply the alcohol. You can get more info with our free resources.
Licensing
When it comes to licensing, the key steps include registering your mobile bar business with the state of Texas. It is also a good move to register your business as an LLC to protect your personal assets in a worst case scenario. You can register as an LLC though the state or through a registered agent (Texan Registered Agent or LegalZoom are some examples of registered agents).
If you are going to “sell” or “provide” the alcohol to your clients, you’ll need a brick & mortar location to get a liquor license. There are different levels of liquor licenses that allow you to serve beer & wine vs selling hard alcohol and liquor.
Some mobile bars also operate as caterers and having catering licenses. Some counties allow mobile bars with catering licenses, or even simply mobile bars with no brick & mortar, to request daily permits for providing alcohol with special cases like selling drink tickets for a charity event on behalf of the client. It is possible to get 12 off premise liquor permits for the year. Call your local liquor commissioner for details in your Texas county.
Certifications
Additionally, an TABC Certification is required for servers or bartenders, providing guidelines on responsible alcohol service. You can complete this training online and is fairly quick to get through. This is simply to give you the guidance on ID’ing guests, safe practices, preventing over serving guests, etc.
You also may need a Food Handlers license in your location depending on your county’s requirements.
Insurance Requirements
Insurance is a critical aspect of running a mobile bar business. General liability insurance is a must in all cases. You also will need liquor liability insurance in most cases as well. It’s important to note that insurance requirements can vary by county, and entrepreneurs are advised to contact their county’s department of health and liquor liability department for specific details. If you are pulling a rig or trailer for your mobile bar, you will need commercial auto insurance as your personal auto insurance will most likely not cover any accidents or damages with a commercial trailer.
Starting a mobile bar in Texas involves a meticulous understanding of licensing, permits, and insurance. The dry hire model proves to be a lucrative business opportunity, with entrepreneurs consistently generating significant profits. By staying informed about county-specific regulations, obtaining essential licenses, and securing the necessary insurance coverage, aspiring mobile bar owners can embark on a successful journey. Utilizing resources like mobilebarhub.com can further enhance your knowledge and set you on the path to building a thriving mobile bar business in the dynamic Texas market.
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.
Does a dry hire private evens mobile bar in TX (horse trailer) need a wash area and sink?