Beverage Operator (Bartender) Licenses

Departments

Overview

Beverage Operator (Bartender) Licenses are required for any person selling or serving fermented malt beverages/intoxicating liquor at an establishment within the boundaries of the Town of Brookfield. 

Operator/bartender licenses do not transfer from municipality to municipality. You must obtain one in each city/town/village that you work in, unless you hold a permit issued directly from the State of Wisconsin instead, which is then useable state-wide.

Requirements

    • Provide a copy of an operator’s license held, or evidence of having acted as an authorized agent in a Wisconsin municipality within the past two years.
  • Identity: Please provide a copy of your Photo ID.
  • Application & Timing of Submission:
    The License Year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
    • New Bartenders / Operators
      • New applicants applying between May 1st and June 30th (within 60 days of the start of a new licensing year) will be issued a provisional license covering at least the end of the current year with the new license becoming effective after July 1st in the new licensing year.
      • New applicants applying between July 1st and April 30 (too far out from the end of the licensing year for a provisional license to cover the remaining days of the year) will receive a new license and also will need to plan to renew in May/June for the upcoming year.
    • Renewal Bartenders / Operators (Must have a current license from the Town of Brookfield in their possession.)
      • Renewal applications should be submitted in May/June for the coming renewal year.  To ensure continuity of licensure and that the renewal can be processed timely, please submit to the Clerk by June 13th.  Applications submitted after this date are not guaranteed to be issued by July 1.
  • Fees:
    • $50 for a New License.  This includes $40 for a license plus $10 for a provisional license that is valid for 60 days and allows you to begin working right away rather than waiting on your regular license to be processed days or weeks later.  New License applicants are presumed to need a provisional license unless they opt out.
    • $40 for a Renewal License.  This means you are a current license holder in the Town of Brookfield and wish to renew for the coming license year.  No provisional needed.

      Payment can be made by cash, check (payable to the Town of Brookfield, with “Bartender License” written in the memo line) or credit card (additional fees may apply).

Resources

Municipal Code Chapter 12.03(3)(h) – Operator’s License

WI DOR Fact Sheet 3104 – Alcohol Beverage Laws for Operator’s Licenses