Athens, TN

The City of Athens allows non-profit and charitable organizations to sell beer, under certain circumstances, at special events. The Athens Beer Board (also the Council) has established a process and limitations to the use of Special Event Organizer Beer Permits and may grant their use. It is unlawful for any person to sell, store for sale, distribute for sale or manufacture beer without first making application to and obtaining a permit from the Beer Board. The following information is a guide to the application procedure:

To view and or print a complete pdf copy of Ordinance No. 1067 establishing a Special Event Beer Permit (adopted by the Athens City Council on January 16, 2018), please click here.

• Obtain Special Event Beer Application from City Manager’s Office, 815 North Jackson Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or click here to download application.

• Fill out (every question) and return completed application to the City Manager’s Office, 815 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303.   Applications must be submitted no less than four (4) weeks prior to a regularly scheduled Council Meeting for the Beer Board to consider and act upon the application. The City Manager, or his designee, will work with the applicant throughout the process.

• A nonrefundable fee of $250 will be charged to process the application. Payment is required upon your completion and return of the application to City Manager's Office.

• The completed Special Event Beer Application will be distributed to representatives in the necessary departments.  The department representatives will recommend approval, denial, or approval with changes.  Department representatives may also list any prerequisites required by that department.

• The Beer Board meets, as needed, on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The Athens City Council regular meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting of the Athens City Beer Board will begin at the conclusion of the meeting of the Athens City Council. The Beer Board meets in the Athens Municipal Building located at 815 North Jackson Street. The applicant must be present at this meeting for the application to be considered.

• If approved by the Beer Board, the applicant can pick up his/her permit the following day after 11:00 a.m. in the City Manager's Office.

The City Council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 approved an Athens City Beer Board Penalty Policy. Please click here to view the policy.