Parks board adopts liquor-liability requirements for cash bars at city rental halls

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on May 7 approved revised rental-contract language imposing liquor-liability and permit requirements for events that use cash bars at city halls.

Park staff described the changes as insurance-carrier recommendations prompted by the growing number of non-ticketed events that are operating cash bars. "They have to provide commercial liquor liability insurance. They have to have a catering license for the premises. They have to have an excise event permit for the event and a licensed bartender," a staff member explained during the discussion.

Board members asked several clarifying questions during the discussion: whether the catering license prevents lessees from preparing their own food (staff said the license is for alcohol catering, not food) and whether a family member could bartend if money is exchanged (staff said not if guests are being charged).

The updated language distinguishes ticketed events and non-ticketed cash-bar events; staff said ticketed events without alcohol must still provide a certificate of commercial general liability, but the new requirement makes liquor liability and licensing explicit for cash-bar situations. The staff also noted the contracts referenced paragraph numbers and that those cross-references would be corrected before final documents are issued.

After discussion and public clarification, the board approved the changes to contracts for Kreiger Memorial Hall and the Senior Center; the motion carried on a voice vote.