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Eligibility reviewed first

Texas Temporary Alcohol Event Permit Assistance

Serving or selling alcohol at a Texas event requires the proper authority from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission — and not everyone qualifies. We check your eligibility before you pay us anything, then handle the filing if you qualify.

Check My Event EligibilityCall 713-596-5363

Free eligibility questionnaire · $250 service fee only if you proceed · TABC fees separate

Who may be eligible

  • Licensed on-premises retailers
  • Licensed wineries
  • Licensed distilleries (FUN)
  • Nonprofits qualifying under TABC Code §30.01

If you do not already hold qualifying authority, a temporary event authorization is generally not available to you. We will tell you that honestly rather than take your money.

Read this before you order

Texas does not allow just anyone to sell or serve alcohol at an event. Eligibility depends on whether you are an eligible licensed retailer, winery, or distillery, or a qualifying nonprofit entity. Some events qualify for a File and Use Notification; others require Temporary Event Approval or a Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit, and those require TABC approval before you sell or serve. That is why this service begins with an eligibility questionnaire rather than a checkout page.

The three authorization types

File and Use Notification (FUN)

Available to licensed distilleries, on-premises retailers, and wineries whose event meets the criteria. A FUN may be submitted at any time before participating in the event, and the activities identified in the form may begin at the identified location once it is submitted — there is no waiting period for approval, and no late fee. Each form generally covers up to four consecutive days.

Temporary Event Approval (TEA)

For licensed on-premises retailers and wineries whose event does not meet the FUN criteria. A TEA must be filed at least 10 business days before the event begins, and you must wait to receive approval from TABC before you can sell and serve alcoholic beverages. Filing late triggers escalating government fees. Each form generally covers up to four consecutive days.

Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit (NT)

For organizations that meet the nonprofit definition in Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 30.01. Not every organization that thinks of itself as a nonprofit meets that definition, and this is a frequent source of disappointment. The application should be filed at least 10 business days before the event, carries an application fee of $50 per event day, requires TABC approval before selling or serving, and can cover up to 10 consecutive days.

Deadlines and late fees

Late filing is expensive, and the cost climbs as the event approaches. For Temporary Event Approvals, TABC publishes late fees of roughly $300 when filed 9 to 7 business days out, $500 at 6 to 4 business days, and $900 at 3 to 1 business days. Nonprofit permit processing carries late fees in a comparable range.

These are government fees paid to TABC and are entirely separate from our $250 service fee. The single most effective way to save money on an event authorization is to start early — and it is the reason we push customers to contact us as soon as an event date is set rather than the week before.

Do not sell or serve before you have the authority

For Temporary Event Approvals and Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permits, you must have received approval before alcohol is sold or served. Submitting an application is not the same as being approved. Proceeding without the proper authority can carry consequences for the event, the organization, and any underlying license — which is a far bigger problem than a late fee.

How our assistance works

  1. Eligibility questionnaire. You tell us about the event, the organization, and any licenses held. There is no charge for this step.
  2. Honest assessment. We tell you whether you appear eligible, which authorization type fits, and what the deadlines and government fees look like. If you are not eligible, we say so and you pay us nothing.
  3. Preparation and filing. If you proceed, our $250 service fee applies and we prepare and submit the filing.
  4. Follow-through. We track it, respond to questions, and keep you updated in your portal until it is resolved.

What we cannot do

We cannot approve an authorization, guarantee that TABC will approve one, or make an ineligible applicant eligible. The final decision belongs to TABC. We are an independent service and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

We are also not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice. If your circumstances are unusual or contested, talk to an attorney who practices in this area.

Serving food at the same event?

Food service at an event is regulated separately from alcohol. If you are doing both, you likely need both authorizations. See our Texas food permit assistance for temporary food establishment help, and mention both when you contact us so we can line up the deadlines together.

Questions

Temporary alcohol event permit FAQs

Can anyone get a permit to sell alcohol at an event?

No, and this is the single most important thing to understand before you spend money. Texas temporary event authorizations are generally available to entities that already hold the right kind of authority — such as licensed on-premises retailers, wineries, and distilleries — or to nonprofits that meet the definition in the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. An individual or a business without an underlying qualification usually cannot simply obtain permission to sell alcohol at an event. That is why we start with an eligibility questionnaire instead of a payment page.

What is the difference between a File and Use Notification and a Temporary Event Approval?

A File and Use Notification (FUN) is available to licensed distilleries, on-premises retailers, and wineries whose event meets the criteria. It can be submitted at any time before the event and does not require waiting for TABC approval — activities may begin at the identified location after submission. A Temporary Event Approval (TEA) applies to licensed on-premises retailers and wineries whose event does not meet the FUN criteria. A TEA must be filed at least 10 business days before the event and, critically, you must wait to receive TABC approval before selling or serving.

What about nonprofits?

A qualifying nonprofit may apply for a Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit (NT). The organization must meet the definition in Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 30.01 — not every organization that considers itself a nonprofit qualifies. The application should be filed at least 10 business days before the event, an application fee of $50 per event day applies, approval must be received before selling or serving, and a permit can cover up to 10 consecutive days.

What are the late fees?

For Temporary Event Approvals, TABC publishes late fees on a sliding scale based on how close to the event you file: approximately $300 when filed 9 to 7 business days before, $500 at 6 to 4 business days, and $900 at 3 to 1 business days. Nonprofit permit processing carries late fees in a comparable $300 to $900 range. These are government fees, paid to TABC, and they are separate from our $250 service fee. Filing early is the cheapest thing you can do.

How long can an authorization cover?

File and Use Notifications and Temporary Event Approvals generally cover up to four consecutive days per form. A Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit can cover up to 10 consecutive days. Longer or recurring events may require more than one filing, which we will identify during the eligibility review.

What does Food Permit Experts actually do here?

We review your eligibility honestly, identify which authorization type fits your event, tell you the deadlines and fees that apply, prepare and submit the filing, and follow it through. What we do not do is guarantee an outcome. The final decision belongs to TABC, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by TABC. We also do not provide legal advice — if your situation is genuinely unclear, we will tell you to speak with an attorney.

Verify current TABC requirements

Authorization types, deadlines, and fee amounts are set by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and can change. The details on this page reflect what TABC published at the time of writing. We confirm current requirements for your specific event before filing.

Find out where you stand — at no cost

The eligibility questionnaire is free. You only pay our service fee if you appear eligible and decide to move forward.

Check My Event EligibilityCall 713-596-5363