Floating Bar in State waters?

[Woodland Hills]

If your bar can move away from the dock with paying customers onboard then it is a charter and you need a licensed captain.
If it remains permanently tied to a dock then you will need a liquor license from the state.

[TeriD]

We've thought about the same thing in Texas. I'll share resources with you if I find out anything.

[shelbybob]

Originally Posted by Catalier

Does anyone know of a floating bar (similar to Willy T's in BVI) located in the US? I'm interested in the legalities of it. I figure finding one already in existence would give me a good place to start my research. I'm thinking of starting one near Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach NC. Lots of old shrimp trawlers around here begging to be repurposed.

TikiHutBoats.com
I was moored in Salem Harbor enjoying a cigar and whiskey and heard music behind me and getting closer. When I turned to look, it was a palm leaf thatched roof with a clearly visible wrap around bar floating and outboard powered tiki bar. Hope this helps and is on point

[HabibiDah]

A friend of mine tried to open one on Lake Lanier in Georgia. After months with lawyers and the Army Corps of Engineers (Controlling entity for Lake Lanier), he gave up. The basic answer from the Corps of Engineers was "no."

[Amapola]

There are a number of them on the east coast of Florida. I've seen them near Ft Lauderdale, Miami and the Lake Worth and Jupiter inlets.

[ramalkin]

There are moving ones in Wilmington, NC, like BrewBoat.com and SeaLegsPedalPub.com and stationary ones like Anne Bonnys Bar and Grill moored downtown.

[RickG]

There is one in our anchorage on St. John, US Virgin Islands. Lime Out has drinks and tacos. You sit on floating lily pads that hold six. It is a major attraction and gets lots of day boats. After a few growing pains it is a great addition.

https://www.limeoutvi.com/

Cheers, RickG

[ebisucapt]

I believe I seen one in Beaufort NC. Seen it go by while at anchor. Might be a BYOB set up too. Don’t know. Sat about 10 people it looked like.

[ebisucapt]

Ya know I bet it only had 6 seats. Only require 6 pack license then. Kinda looked like a tiki bar. had an out board.

[capn_billl]

There used to be one at the mouth of the caloosahatche river near Sanibel. I've also seen a few floating tiki bars around Miami, ft Lauderdale.

And several booze cruise ships.

Its apparently doable.

[David Mathis]

Each state regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages and the establishments that serve/sell them. Laws vary, sometimes significantly. Attorneys buy their groceries and pay the mortgage by selling legal advice. You should consult one licensed to practice law in the state in which you're considering starting the business. Far too often, free legal advice is offered which is inconsistent with current regulations. You get what you pay for.

[Tanqueray]

Originally Posted by Catalier

Does anyone know of a floating bar (similar to Willy T's in BVI) located in the US? I'm interested in the legalities of it. I figure finding one already in existence would give me a good place to start my research. I'm thinking of starting one near Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach NC. Lots of old shrimp trawlers around here begging to be repurposed.

Would be a short season here on Lake Michigan, but the beer would be cold this time of year! And plenty of ice for mixed drinks.

Greg

[David Mathis]

A couple of six passenger circular tiki bars were on Lake George, NY two years ago but didn't see any last summer, likely due to the Covid issue.

[Christhebuddist]

Check out Blarney Island in the middle of a lake in Antioch, IL
It has been in existence for years.

[DMF Sailing]

Originally Posted by shelbybob

TikiHutBoats.com
I was moored in Salem Harbor enjoying a cigar and whiskey and heard music behind me and getting closer. When I turned to look, it was a palm leaf thatched roof with a clearly visible wrap around bar floating and outboard powered tiki bar. Hope this helps and is on point

Saw this Salem tiki one there last summer.

Also saw one in the Keys I think at Snooks last winter...

Boston has a bar on a paddleboat (but I guess that's a booze cruise). I used to think that the patrons were paddling but no, they're sitting at a bar listening to calypso and drinking.

I recall that Portland, Maine, used to have a floating restaurant but it was just at the dock so that's different.