Hosting a ticketed dinner in Cincinnati: the checklist

Not legal advice. This is a starting checklist, checked 2026-09-25. Rules change and differ by county and city. Talk to a lawyer and confirm with Cincinnati Health Department before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

• Cheapest start: a free dinner for friends at home.
• Often the simplest route: book a licensed venue; your tickets cover the rental fee.
• Biggest risk: drinks. See Drinks below.
• CHD covers the city only. Outside it, check with Hamilton County (unverified).

Quick answers

Can I sell tickets to a dinner I cook at home in Cincinnati? Yes, within limits. Up to 13 people a day needs no licence, or up to 115 meals a week in an owner-occupied home with a posted notice. ORC 3717.42

What's the simplest legal way to host a ticketed dinner in Cincinnati? Stay within the 13-person or home exemption, with no licence fee. Above that, often the simplest route: book a licensed venue; your tickets cover the rental fee. ORC 3717.42

Can drinks be part of a ticketed dinner in Cincinnati? Only if a licensee sells them. Keep drinks out of your ticket; the licensed venue or caterer sells them to guests directly. Ticketed events can't be BYOB. ORC 4301.01 OIU

Start here: one dish, free, at home

Already hosting? Skip to your routes.

• Cook one dish (one protein, one plate) for a few friends at home. Free: no ticket, no donation jar, no public post. Friends make honest critics, and they wash up.
• Let a friend bring a friend. Still free, still invite-only.
• What turns it into a regulated sale in Ohio: any charge, "required donation" included. Once you sell tickets, more than 13 people a day needs a licence, except on the home route. ORC ORC
• OSU's Farm Office says hot meals for sale need a commercial kitchen. Confirm with CHD. OSU
• When guests start asking to pay, pick a route below.

Your routes, cheapest first

Steps, in order

Already done some of these? Skip them.

Suggested order.

• 1. Talk to a lawyer before you charge anyone. An hour of their time costs less than learning this the hard way.
• 2. Food safety certificate: check with CHD.
• 3. Business registration and sales tax: check with an accountant.
• 4. Over 13 people? Apply for a temporary licence on ezTrak 10 business days ahead. CHD
• 5. Kitchen: Findlay Kitchen charges $75 a year plus about $12 to $24 an hour (unverified). Kitchen Door
• 6. Get personal chef or event liability insurance. FLIP
• 7. Put the fee, deposit, licence cover and drinks plan in writing with the venue.
• 8. List your night.

Drinks

• Cheapest legal route: a venue with a D liquor permit sells the drinks. Or pour non-alcoholic pairings (under 0.5%): no permit needed. DOLC ORC
• Ohio has no caterer's liquor permit, and D permits pour only on their own premises. ORC DOLC
• Off-site, only a nonprofit's joint F-2 with a D holder: $160, filed 30+ days ahead. The licensee sells; the nonprofit keeps the drink money. ORC DOLC
• Keep drinks out of your ticket; the licensed venue or caterer sells them to guests directly. A "gifted" drink is a sale, and temporary permits exclude for-profits. ORC DOLC
• BYOB or a hired bartender (unverified): private, invite-only, no ticket, cover or corkage. Indoor dinners skip the Cincinnati event permit; check your precinct is wet with Hamilton County's elections board. OIU Cincinnati DOLC

Watch-outs

• Insurance: homeowners policies exclude activity "engaged in for money or other compensation." Some policies exempt small side income; get it in writing from your insurer. ISO HO-3
• From people who've done it: Holiday Spirits bar ran Sunday chef pop-ups to test concepts (anecdotal). Enquirer

Learn more

• CHD 2026 fees

Cost your micro hospitality night before you set a price: try the free Planner.

Not legal advice. Confirm with a lawyer and Cincinnati Health Department before you act.