Hosting a ticketed dinner in Pittsburgh: 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 the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

• The state home-kitchen registration covers your cookie table, not your pierogi course. ACHD LFE packet
• Often the simplest route: book a licensed venue; your tickets cover the rental fee. ACHD
• Calling it a donation doesn't help. Food served or "otherwise" provided counts. Art. III

Quick answers

Can I sell tickets to a dinner I cook at home in Pittsburgh? No. The state home-kitchen registration covers shelf-stable foods only, never plated meals. ACHD LFE packet

What is the simplest legal way to host a ticketed dinner in Pittsburgh? Often a licensed venue whose ACHD permit covers your night; your tickets cover the rental fee. ACHD Black Radish Kitchen, a catering kitchen, hosts ticketed bring-your-own dinners (anecdotal). NEXTpittsburgh BRK

Can I include wine in a dinner ticket in Pittsburgh? No. Keep drinks out of your ticket; the licensed venue or caterer sells them to guests directly. PLCB A licensed restaurant or hotel may include up to two in its own ticket; ask a lawyer if yours counts. Liquor Code

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 Pittsburgh: money changing hands, or going public. Art. III ACHD
• 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.
• 2. Get a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate. ACHD needs one on site whenever TCS food is handled. Art. III
• 3. Register your business and get a PA sales-tax licence; the permit application asks for proof. Application
• 4. Book a permitted shared kitchen; get its agreement letter. Application
• 5. Get a shared kitchen user permit (caterer permits are for a kitchen's main tenant). Caterer guide Shared kitchens Ask ACHD (412-578-8044): does it cover a ticketed dinner, or is that a temporary event?
• 6. Get event liability cover. FLIP
• 7. Put the fee, deposit, permit cover and drinks plan in writing with the venue.
• 8. List your night.

Drinks

• Cheapest: BYOB. Guests bring bottles, you can charge corkage. PLCB BYOB
• Drinks sold? A restaurant, hotel, eating place or brewpub licensee can add a $500-a-year catering permit, give PLCB 14 days' notice and sell every drink. Not at a publicly ticketed night: private groups booked 30+ days ahead or certain nonprofit fundraisers only. Liquor Code Fees
• Keep drinks out of your ticket; the licensed venue or caterer sells them to guests directly. Even "free" wine you supply counts as a sale. PLCB
• Hired bartender: no licence if guests supply the alcohol (at a ticketed night: unverified). PLCB Alcohol on city property needs a $25 plus $25 Special Event Permit; private property doesn't. City Suburbs: check the dry list.

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
• Cooking in a client's home: no personal-chef exemption found (unverified). Art. III
• From people who've done it: Fet-Fisk ran pop-ups for about five years, then opened a restaurant (anecdotal). NEXTpittsburgh

Learn more

• ACHD shared kitchens
• ACHD temporary events
• Black Radish Kitchen

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

Not legal advice. Confirm with a lawyer and ACHD before you act.