¨ Tennessee and Franklin County law prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages in Sewanee. The only exception is that entities with a beer license can sell beer.
¨ The University, or any private person or group, can buy alcoholic beverages and offer them at private events, as long as there is no charge for the beverages, and the host or the host’s employee serves the beverages.
¨ Only the host, who buys the alcohol, and the host’s employees may serve the alcohol. Tennessee law prohibits caterers from selling OR serving alcoholic beverages.
Some common misconceptions:
¨ Aramark can provide alcohol or bartenders.
--- This would be illegal. The University may hire and pay an off-duty Aramark employee to serve alcohol purchased by the University at University events.
¨ Other caterers can provide alcohol or bartenders.
--- This would also be illegal. The host must buy its own alcoholic beverages and pay the servers directly, separate from any payment to the caterer.
¨ Aramark can arrange for alcohol and schedule bartenders at events they cater.
--- This is outside their duties, since handling alcoholic beverages is not legal for them.
¨ It is appropriate to ask a food service employee to bring wine to the table.
--- It is not legal for the caterer to handle or serve alcohol.
To plan a bar for a University event, which is catered by the University food service:
· Call or e-mail Chris Carlson, University Liquor Liaison (Ext. 1686,
ccarlson@sewanee.edu) when you FIRST know about the event.
· Know the account number to charge for the alcohol and the labor expenses.
