Alcohol and the TABC

Drinks are where first time planners get caught out. In Texas, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the TABC, governs who may sell and serve alcohol. You do not need to become an expert, but you do need to know which kind of event you are throwing and who is responsible on the night.

Private versus public

For a company party, the line that matters is private versus public. A private party is invitation only, with no tickets and no money changing hands for drinks. Once you sell tickets, run a cash bar or open the door to the public, it is no longer a simple private party, and drinks have to be served by someone licensed to do it.

• Invitation only, no tickets, no cash bar: usually a private party.
• Tickets sold, drinks sold or open to the public: you need licensed service.
• Not sure which one you are? Ask the venue before you buy anything, and get the answer in writing.

Bring your own, done right

Bringing your own wine and beer can save a lot, but it is not just dropping off a few cases. Plan who pours, how much to buy and when service stops. A trained bartender keeps the line moving, checks IDs and knows when to slow someone down, which protects your guests and your company.

Tip: Have someone pour. Even at a bring your own party, have drinks poured rather than left on a self serve table. It keeps the pace sensible and the night easier to manage.

Who is responsible

Ask every venue the same question: who carries the TABC responsibility on the night, you or them? The answer changes what you buy, who you hire and what you put on the invite. As the host, plan for people getting home too: share rideshare options on the invite, set a clear last call and keep plenty of water and food out late in the night.

Make it easy not to drink

A good holiday party works just as well for the people who skip alcohol. Put a real non-alcoholic option on the menu, not just soda: a coffee and cocoa bar, a sparkling mocktail or a seasonal punch. It keeps everyone in the toast and makes the party feel planned.

How it works at The Gallery

Catering and bar service are available through our licensed vendor partners. You can also bring your own licensed caterer, or bring your own drinks served by a TABC-certified bartender.

• Private parties can bring their own drinks, poured by a TABC-certified bartender.
• Events that are not private need a licensed TABC server, which we provide.
• Bar by Visage, our partner across the street, serves beer, wine and a holiday cocktail under its own license and is priced separately.
• Every holiday package includes a cocoa and coffee bar.
• Drinks service ends by midnight.

Next up: food that works for a work crowd.

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About The Gallery on Montana

A curated event space, photo and film location, and vintage gallery at 701 Montana Street on the East Side of San Antonio, one block from the Alamodome. Built around a twenty year collection of vintage furniture and objects, rented by the hour or the day for photo shoots, private dinners, podcasts, workshops and pop-up markets.

Capacity: 35 seated indoors, 12 on the porch, 25 on the patio under the art arch, 50 to 60 in the yard, and up to 100 standing inside.

The Gallery on Montana, 701 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203. Events, shoots and meetings book on our booking page. Explore: Home · The space · Private events · Holiday parties · Weddings · Photo and video shoots · Workshops · Planning guides · Book a tour