To get a bartending license in South Dakota, you need to apply for a specific type of liquor license depending on the location and nature of your business. The process differs if your business is located within city limits or outside. For businesses within city limits, you should contact your local finance officer for license availability, cost, and the process for obtaining a license. For businesses outside city limits, you should contact your local county auditor. If you're selling alcoholic beverages by the package for consumers to consume off the premises, you need to purchase a “Package Off-Sale Liquor” license. The fee schedule varies based on the population of the city where your business is located, with a minimum fee of $300 and a renewal fee that may not exceed $500. Please note that these licenses may only be issued for use in an incorporated city, town, community improvement district, or county.
1. Determine the Type of License Needed
- Purpose: To identify the type of liquor license required for your business. This could be an “On-Sale” license if you're selling alcoholic beverages for customers to consume on the premises, or a “Package Off-Sale Liquor” license if you're selling alcoholic beverages by the package for consumers to consume off the premises.
- Instructions: Review the nature of your business and the location to determine the type of license needed.
2. Apply for the License
- Purpose: To officially request the necessary liquor license for your business.
- Estimated Cost: The fee schedule varies based on the population of the city where your business is located, with a minimum fee of $300.00 and a renewal fee that may not exceed $500.00.
- Instructions: For businesses within city limits, contact your local finance officer for license availability, cost, and the process for obtaining a license. You can apply here. For businesses outside city limits, contact your local county auditor. You can find their contact information here.
3. Complete Alcohol Server Training
- Purpose: To gain the knowledge and skills necessary for serving alcohol responsibly and legally.
- Estimated Cost: The course costs $30.00.
- Instructions: Enroll in the South Dakota Alcohol Server Training course offered by TAM. The course can be purchased individually or as a group. To register for the course, click here.
FAQs
- Is alcohol server training mandatory in South Dakota? No, alcohol server training is not mandatory in South Dakota, but it is beneficial for servers, staff, and managers to have the knowledge and skills presented in this course.
- What are the conditions for employees aged 18 or older to tend bar, draw, pour, or mix alcoholic beverages in South Dakota? Certain establishments with on-sale alcohol licenses may permit employees aged 18 or older to tend bar, draw, pour, or mix alcoholic beverages, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include that less than 50% of the gross sales are from the sale of alcohol or that the licensee or an employee at least 21 years old is on the premises at the time of sale or service. Additionally, the employee who is mixing or pouring the alcoholic beverage must be certified by a nationally-recognized alcohol management program, such as ServSafe Alcohol, TAM, or TIPS.
- What are the different types of alcoholic beverage licenses issued in the city of Sioux Falls? There are three categories of alcoholic beverage licenses issued in the city of Sioux Falls: Retail, Package, and Special Event licenses. A Retail license is for selling alcohol on site (like at a restaurant), a Package license is for selling alcohol to go (like a six-pack of beer), and a Special license is for one-time use only (like a wedding reception).
Useful Information Source Links
- South Dakota Department of Revenue: Liquor Retailers & Other Liquor Licenses
- TAM USA: South Dakota Alcohol Management Training
- Sioux Falls Government: Alcohol Licensing Process
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