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? Yes. Tennessee sets the rules. 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? Yes. Tennessee sets the rules. TN ABC 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.
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