Tennessee enacted new legislation governing HDC - hemp derived cannabinoids, the state’s term for legal CBD and hemp that contains less than 0.3% THC.
The new law does not take effect until January 1, 2026...more
5/27/2025
/ Cannabis Products ,
Fees ,
Hemp ,
Hemp Related Businesses ,
Licensing Rules ,
New Legislation ,
Penalties ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Retailers ,
State Taxes ,
Tennessee
Restaurants, bars, hotels, and other licensees are asking. How do we comply with the new server training?
There is nothing new for you to do. Restaurants, bars, hotels, and other licensees need to make sure their...more
1/3/2025
/ Alcohol Beverage Control ,
Bars ,
Employee Training ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Human Trafficking ,
Liability ,
Permits ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Sexual Assault ,
Sexual Harassment ,
Tennessee
Many Nashvillians vaguely recall that they voted in November to increase sales taxes to improve mass transit.
Restaurants, bars and other businesses that pay sales tax have been asking: when does the tax increase take...more
The ABC almost always conducts clean stings for sales to minors. We have been preaching this for more than three decades.
Almost always....more
Hotel liquor licenses provide a dizzying array of ways to serve alcohol. Here they are:
Selling alcoholic beverages by the glass or cup on the hotel premises. Guests should not leave the licensed premises with an open...more
Liquor-by-the-drink license holders have been receiving notices from the Tennessee Department of Revenue....more
Nashville has enacted a city ordinance that makes the definition of beer consistent with state law. Previously, the Metro Nashville Beer Board allowed the sale of RTDs made from distilled spirits with a beer permit, if the...more
Effective July 1, 2023, liquor-by-the-drink license holders – aka LBD – can choose their license expiration date. This allows restaurants, bars, hotels and other LBD license holders with multiple licenses to set one or more...more
Legislation headed to the governor’s desk changes Tennessee law to allow grocery stores to sell wine coolers and a broad array of wine products that were previously taboo. SB497 / HB411 changes the definition of wine for...more
SB1327/HB0594 is set for hearing today in the Senate and Wednesday in the House. There have been significant changes since our last update on this proposed legislation...more
Tennessee’s statute that authorizes carry out alcohol is set to sunset July 1 of this year. We keep hearing the question: will cocktails to go be extended?
Legislation backed by the state hospitality association was set...more
Here's an oft-repeated question: can I "brown bag" — bring my own wine — in a restaurant, hotel or bar that holds a liquor license in Tennessee?
Surprise, surprise — yes, you can. In an unusual twist of Tennessee liquor...more
With Dallas’s Law taking effect January 1, 2023, folks in the alcohol industry are asking: what do I need to do to comply with the new Tennessee security laws?
The draconian penalty for failing to comply – a mandatory...more
State-wide self-distribution in Tennessee began October 1, 2021 for brewers. Rob Pinson and yours truly prepared the following summary of this ground-breaking law. Enjoy brewing, self-distributing and making money. In the...more
Twice a year, we hear from restaurants and bars about springing forward or falling back for Daylight Savings Time. How does Daylight Savings Time work for last call and closing at Tennessee bars and restaurants?...more
The Tennessee ABC liquor-by-the-drink application and renewal applications ask in Question 15: "Do you intend at any point during the next license year to produce, store, sell or offer for sale infusions as that term is...more
The rules on happy hour in Tennessee can drive you to drink. Make that a double.
Nothing good seems to happens after 10 pm, or at least so thinks the Tennessee state legislature. After 10 pm, bars cannot:
sell or serve...more
9.25%.
But wait, the tax man has a little surprise. Downtown Nashville businesses are also required to pay a 0.50% fee on most sales, in addition to sales taxes.
This means that downtown business owners pay an...more
In a word - nada.
In 2020, the August sales tax holiday allowed Tennesseans to enjoy food and drinks at their favorite restaurant - without paying sales tax. This included alcohol....more
Everyone in the restaurant and bar business knows you must have a liquor license to sell wine and spirits. It's a crime to sell liquor without a license.
Outside the hospitality industry, a surprising number of businesses...more