East Ridge council approves first reading to allow alcohol at new Venue 1921

The East Ridge City Council voted unanimously on first reading to permit the sale, service and on‑site consumption of beer and other alcoholic beverages at Venue 1921, the city’s newly developed municipal event space. Council’s vote advances an effort to enable the venue to host private gatherings, weddings, nonprofit fundraisers and public events with regulated alcohol service.

The ordinance is intended to allow events at Venue 1921 to include licensed alcohol service while preserving the city’s control through rules and a staff‑managed approval packet that will include insurance and vendor requirements.

Parks and recreation staff said the ordinance is venue‑specific and will not apply to other city properties. The draft ordinance, introduced by staff, creates a framework to allow sale, service and consumption at the facility; council will later consider a resolution that specifies the operational packet — including an approved alcohol vendor list, insurance (certificate of insurance naming the city), and vetting requirements for bartending or staffing agencies.

City Attorney Mark Litchford explained that Title 8 of the municipal code is divided into separate chapters for alcoholic beverages and beer; the ordinance adds a section specifically authorizing sales and consumption at Venue 1921. Litchford and staff said the next step is a resolution that would allow the city manager to act as gatekeeper and approve events that meet the packet’s requirements, helping avoid delays for event bookings.

During discussion, staff and council clarified distinctions among private events (weddings), public events and nonprofit benefit events — and how Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) special‑event permits would apply. Staff said private events generally do not require a TABC special‑event permit, but public or ticketed fundraisers may, depending on how they are structured; vendors and staffing agencies that serve alcohol at events will be vetted and must provide certificates of insurance.

Council moved and seconded the ordinance on first reading and approved it by roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously (yes 5, no 0). The council directed staff to return a resolution that spells out the approved vendor list, insurance minimums, staffing and operational rules for special events at Venue 1921.

Ending — what’s next

Staff will prepare and bring a resolution to a subsequent council meeting that sets the operational packet (approved vendors, insurance requirements and staffing rules) and authorizes the city manager or designee to approve individual events in accordance with council policy.