The State of Wisconsin regulates alcohol beverages set forth in Chapter 125 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Two situations require a retail liquor license in Wisconsin:
- Direct or indirect charge for alcohol
- Ticket prices include alcoholic beverages
- Cost of meal or service includes alcohol beverages
- Donation required to consume alcohol beverages
- Alcohol beverages are consumed in a public place
- Open House
- Event held in a location that caters to the general public
Retail licenses issued by the municipality include:
- Class "A" License
- Fermented malt beverages (beer) purchased in their original containers and sold for off-premise consumption
- Class "B" License
- Fermented malt beverages (beer) sales to be consumed on or off-premise
- "Class A" Cider License
- Sales of cider for off-premise consumption
- "Class A" License
- Intoxicating liquor sales in original containers for off-premise consumption
- "Class B" License
- Intoxicating liquor sales (including wine) by the glass for on-premise consumption and sales of off-premise liquor sales in their original packaging
- The Village has a total of 10 "Class B" licenses which are currently in use
- "Class B" Reserve License
- This license is the same as the "Class B" license but they are assessed an additional initial issuance fee
- The Village has a total of 7 "Class B" Reserve licenses in use.
- "Class C" Wine License
- Wine sold by the glass or in one opened original container for consumption on the premise where sold
- Licensees must be restaurants where the sale of alcoholic beverages is less than 50% of gross receipts
- Wine can be the only intoxicating liquor sold in the barroom.
- Temporary Class "B" (picnic) Beer License
- Fermented malt beverages (beer) may be sold to consumers at a gathering of a limited duration to bona fide clubs, chambers of commerce, local fair associations, churches, etc.
- Bona fide clubs need to be in existence for at least 6 months
- Temporary "Class B" (picnic) Wine License
- Fermented malt beverages (beer) may be sold to consumers at a gathering of a limited duration to bona fide clubs, chambers of commerce, local fair associations, churches, etc.
- Bona fide clubs need to be in existence for at least 6 months
- Each club is limited to two wine licenses in a one-year period
Operator / Bartender Licenses
- Each establishment that sells alcohol must have licensed bartenders/operators
- Qualifications include
- Individual is at least 18 years or older
- Successful completion of a DOR-approved responsible beverage server training course
- Holding a license at another municipality within two years fulfills this requirement
- A fully completed and notarized application is required
- The Village Board is the ruling body for the approval or denial of licenses
- Operator Licenses are valid from July 1st through June 30th each year
- The cost is $50 per license with no discount given for licenses issued during the term
- Provisional Licenses may be issued prior to Village Board approval for an additional cost of $15.00
- Licenses that are denied are not refunded