Expanded Alcohol Services FAQs

A: Approved expanded alcohol service areas and events will allow for a shared service area with no age restriction. This allows for consumption of alcohol for those 21 years of age and older within the approved shared service area. The approved expanded alcohol service area will have marked entrances and exits notifying attendees of the perimeters and will be monitored by Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) certified employees. 

A: No, cannabis use in any form, including smoking, vaping, or eating, in public places like parks, restaurants, public sidewalks, concerts, etc., or on federal land is not allowed.

A. Yes, minors are allowed in an approved expanded outdoor alcohol service area. The area must be accessible from a non-restricted area. 

A: A local government may request expanded outdoor service in public spaces for the entire period for one fee. They may ask for multiple locations with their request for authorization under that one fee.  

A: If the local government wants to add locations, that would be a separate request for authorization and an additional fee.

A: All approved expanded alcohol service areas, events, and locations will be available to view on the LCB’s Expanded Services Map. 

A: Yes, local governments need LCB approval to participate in any of the authorizations (expanded outdoor alcohol services, fan zone events, and civic campus events). 

A: All applications must be submitted by a local government designee through LCB Portal.

A: A local government will need to submit an operating plan, site map and parcel numbers or the boundary of the proposed area. A template for the operating plan and site map guidance can be found here.

A: Yes. Local governments may determine the distance between entrances and exits. The distance defaults to LCB’s requirement of 10 feet maximum if not specified by the local government.

A: The bill states local governments must conduct a public engagement review by September 1, 2026, to examine the following: 

• (a) Whether local resources, including law enforcement patrols, were provided during times that expanded alcohol service was offered.
• (b) Whether services were provided to keep the area clean and free of litter.
• (c) The costs and benefits to the community of expanded alcohol sales. 

Civic campuses approved for events must also report to the legislature and LCB by January 1, 2027. The report must include a description of the activities conducted, the benefits realized and challenges encountered.  

A: No, there is no fee for liquor licensees to apply for this added activity.

A: There are three opportunities for liquor licensees to participate in expanded alcohol services: expanded outdoor alcohol services, civic campus events, and fan zone events. We recommend working with your local government if you’re interested in participating.

A: Caterers can participate in civic campus and fan zone events even if the events are not sponsored by a nonprofit organization. Caterers should work with their local government to find out more about participating.

A: Yes, as the designee, an Authorized Representative will be allowed to apply on behalf of their clients.

A: LCB has a Geographic Information System (GIS) map showing the local governments approved for exapnded alcohol services. The map also shows participating licensees. You can access the map here.

A: Distinct glassware identifying which licensee the alcohol was purchased from is encouraged but not required. There should be a clear distinction between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage containers.

A:  Nonprofit organizations with a Special Occasion license can participate in civic campus and fan zone events. Nonprofits should work with their local government to find out more about participating.

A: No, these events would not count towards a nonprofit’s 12 events per calendar year.

A: No, under a fan zone or civic campus Special Occasion license, the nonprofit may not sell wine by-the-bottle in unopened containers for off-premises consumption.  

A: The fee for these events is $185 per day/per service area.

A: Cities with a population of at least 220,000 that have a publicly owned civic campus within their jurisdiction. A publicly owned civic campus means the buildings, facilities, grounds, lands, and spaces are owned by a city. They must be designated as a city center and used for civic, arts, cultural, sports, or other community and family events and activities.

A: The local government may apply for the authorization, or they may authorize a designee, such as the campus operator, to apply for the authorization.

A: In addition to completing the application on the LCB Portal, a site map and a joint operating plan must be submitted. Please note, the joint operating plan must include the trade name and liquor license numbers of all participating licensees. 

A: Yes, a joint operating plan addressing safety and security plans are still required for the event. It must address safety and security issues.

A: The local authority can request authorization for a single or multiday event. Civic campuses may have up to 25 events through December 31, 2027, and up to seven of those may be multiday events. Host City and fan zone events may have one multiday event in June and/or July 2026. 

A: No, there is no definition of “multiday” for fan zones.

A: Distinct glassware identifying which license the alcohol was purchased from is encouraged but not required. There should be a clear distinction between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage containers.

A: As with any liquor violation, LCB enforcement officers can issue verbal and/or written warnings for minor infractions and administrative violation notices for more serious or repeat offenses. Joint responsibility will apply for any violation or enforcement issue unless it can be demonstrated that the violation or enforcement issue was due to one or more licensee’s specific conduct or action. This webpage outlines due process for licensees.