Guide

Hosting a ticketed dinner in Memphis: the checklist

What a chef or mixologist needs before selling micro hospitality in Memphis, TN: routes, fees, drink rules and who to call (Shelby County Health Department).

Tenseats · Updated September 25, 2026

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 Shelby County Health Department before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

Food freedom covers your chess pie, not your five courses. Serving the public needs a permit, charge or not. UT Extension Food Safety Act
Often the simplest route: book a licensed venue; your tickets cover the rental fee. Lasting Memphis series used host venues (anecdotal). Memphis Flyer
Biggest risk: drinks. Special occasion liquor licences are nonprofit-only. See Drinks. TN ABC

Quick answers

Can I sell tickets to a dinner I cook at home in Memphis? No. Homes are exempt only when food is "not offered for sale," and serving the public needs a permit regardless. Food Safety Act

What's the simplest legal way to host a ticketed dinner in Memphis? Often the simplest route: book a licensed venue; your tickets cover the rental fee. Confirm its SCHD permit covers you (unverified). SCHD A temporary event permit is $30 (unverified: usually tied to a community event; call first). SCHD

Can I include wine in a dinner ticket in Memphis? Not in your ticket. Keep drinks out of your ticket; the licensed venue or caterer sells them to guests directly, and drink proceeds must go to the caterer. TN ABC Free BYOB with no corkage is legal statewide. MTAS

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.
Let a friend bring a friend. Still free, still invite-only.
What turns it into a regulated sale in Memphis: offering food for sale, or when it's advertised to the public, charge or not. Food Safety Act
When guests start asking to pay, pick a route below.

Your routes, cheapest first

Route	What you need	Cost	Lead time
Permitted venue	Confirm its SCHD permit covers you (unverified) (SCHD)	Rental fee plus deposit	Check with the venue
Temporary event permit (unverified: usually tied to a community event; call first)	An "organized event," up to 14 days (SCHD); no homemade food (SCHD)	$30 (SCHD)	2 to 10 business days (SCHD)
Food permit plus permitted kitchen	Permitted kitchen (SCHD)	$210 a year up to 50 seats (SCHD), plus kitchen	Check with SCHD

Steps, in order

Already done some of these? Skip them.

1. Talk to a lawyer before you charge anyone.
2. Get ServSafe certified. Church Health's kitchen requires it. Church Health
3. Get a county or city business licence once gross receipts pass $3,000. Registration is $15. TN Revenue
4. Charge sales tax on prepared food: up to 9.75% in Memphis. TN Revenue local rates
5. Get your permit, or confirm the venue's covers you. SCHD
6. Book a kitchen. Church Health rents long-term only: $25/hr, 3-hour minimum, deposit from $250. Church Health
7. Get liability cover. Giggster requires $1M in Memphis. Giggster FLIP
8. Put the fee, deposit, permit cover and drinks plan (see Drinks) in writing with the venue.
9. List your night.

Drinks

Cheapest: free BYOB, guests pouring their own, no corkage or setup fee. Legal per the Attorney General; no Memphis rule found. MTAS Title 7
For a bar, hire a TABC-licensed caterer: only a restaurant or catering hall can hold that $300-plus-$625-a-year licence. You pay their fee. TN ABC fees
The caterer files notice two full business days ahead, sells every drink, collects the 15% tax, and must serve some food. TN ABC § 57-4-301
Keep drinks out of your ticket; the licensed venue or caterer sells them to guests directly. Proceeds must go to the caterer, and "free" wine with a ticket likely counts (unverified). TN ABC
No bartender-for-hire workaround: unlicensed sales are a misdemeanor. Beer only? Memphis special event beer permit, about $100 (anecdotal), 14 business days (unverified). § 57-4-203 Title 7 Facebook

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
A "donation" model doesn't help. The law applies whether or not you charge. Food Safety Act
From people who've done it: a monthly 16-seat, $100 BYOB dinner built one chef a restaurant (anecdotal). Commercial Appeal MBJ

Learn more

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

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

Also for Memphis