Background: Wisconsin law requires a liquor license in two instances: (1) for the sale of alcohol (Wis. Stat. § 125.04(1)) and (2) for the consumption of alcohol in a “public place” (Wis. Stat. § 125.09(1)). For years, farmers have legally rented out their barns to wedding parties—allowing the newlyweds to bring their own alcohol and serve it to their guests if they so choose—because neither of these circumstances apply to wedding barns, which are not “public places.” 

However, provisions within the omnibus bill would upend this long-standing tradition and expand the definition of “public place” to cover wedding barns and other private event venues, leaving owners one of two options. They would either need to become licensed in the same manner as a tavern or operate under a “no-sale event venue permit.” That permit would limit wedding barns (and other private event venues) to operating no more than six days per year, and a maximum of one day per month. Liquor consumption would also be prohibited. Operating in the same manner as a tavern is not an option for many existing venues because of zoning restrictions or the investments necessary to qualify for a Class-B license.