Bourbon and Blowouts? Alcohol at Salons, Spas, and Barber Shops
A recent Orlando Sentinel article highlighted a local hair salon that spends $10,000 a month on free wine for its customers. It’s hard to find guidance on this subject, so what is the deal with serving alcohol at Florida spas, hair and nail salons, barber shops, boutiques, and similar businesses?
May I give free drinks to my customers without a state alcoholic beverage license?
Yes, but there are some rules you must follow. Generally speaking, you are only required to be licensed by the state when you are selling an alcoholic beverage. In this context, that means that you cannot require another purchase before you will serve the beverage.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s take on the issue:
Any payment for services or products which provides the access to the alcoholic beverage is not considered complimentary (costing nothing) and thus is considered a sale of alcoholic beverages and requires a license. If a patron pays for a haircut, styling, etc. and is offered a glass of wine, it is considered a sale and requires licensure.
I want to charge for drinks. Am I able to obtain an alcoholic beverage license for a hair salon or barber shop?
From the state perspective, it is generally relatively easy for many business types to obtain a beer and wine license. However, the local government must confirm that the business is allowed before the state will approve a license application. As referenced in the Orlando Sentinel article linked above, some local ordinances prevent salons, spas, and other specified business types from serving alcohol.
The firm reviews local zoning requirements and secures local approval for each retail alcoholic beverage application that it submits, and is available to advise salons and shops regarding eligibility under state and local regulations.
“Sale and sell mean any transfer of an alcoholic beverage for a consideration, any gift of an alcoholic beverage in connection with, or as part of, a transfer of property other than an alcoholic beverage for a consideration, or the serving of an alcoholic beverage by a club licensed under the Beverage Law. Any payment for services or products which provides the access to the alcoholic beverage is not considered complimentary (costing nothing) and thus is considered a sale of alcoholic beverages and requires a license. If a patron pays for a haircut, styling, etc. and is offered a glass of wine, it is considered a sale and requires licensure.”