Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
Paducah Code of Ordinances
Information about the consumption and selling of Alcoholic Beverages including the sale of alcohol on Sundays and alcoholic beverage server training is found in Chapter 6 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances.
On September 26, 2017, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the City's alcohol and beverage ordinance. Many of the amendments are necessary to comply with the passage of House Bills 100, 183, and 319 during the 2017 Kentucky legislative session. One noteworthy local amendment permits the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays for all license types during the same hours such sales are permitted any other day of the week. Expanded Sunday Alcohol Sales Letter and Ordinance
Contact
If you have questions about the City of Paducah Alcoholic Beverage license or ordinance, contact
Lindsay Parish
City Clerk/Deputy ABC Adminstrator
City Hall, 300 South 5th Street
P.O. Box 2267
Paducah, KY 42002-2267
270-444-8506
Email
Entertainment Destination Center
A section of Paducah’s historic downtown is an Entertainment Destination Center. The Center boosts restaurant and hospitality industries by allowing customers to take to-go alcoholic drinks in designated cups from participating businesses to stroll our historic streets, browse the windows of our local boutiques, watch the towboats on the river, and partake in outdoor events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Alcohol Sales Allowed on Election Days in Paducah?
A. Yes. Businesses inside Paducah City limits may sell alcohol on election days during the same hours as any regular day.
Q. What are Permissible Operating Hours in Paducah?
A. Below are the permissible operating hours for licensed businesses in the City of Paducah unless pre-empted by State emergency regulation.
| License | Opening Hour | Closing Hour |
|
Package Sales: Malt Beverages/Beer Distilled Spirits |
6:00 a.m.
|
12:00 midnight |
|
On-premises Consumption: Malt Beverages/Beer Distilled Spirits |
6:00 a.m. | 3:00 a.m. following day |
Q. How do I apply for permanent alcohol licensing for my business?
A. Step-by-step information is provided in the Permanent Alcohol Licensing Guide
Q. If an organization is planning a public event, can alcohol be served?
A. Yes, there are a few ways in which alcohol can be served at a public event.
- An ABC Licensed Caterer may serve at the event.
- Special temporary license or a special temporary auction license can be obtained for the event. Organizations are encouraged to start the temporary license process a few weeks before an event since the State requires nearly two weeks for application review. This temporary license process is mainly for non-profit organizations. Contact the City Clerk’s Office for more information.
- Licensed small farm wineries, microbreweries, and distilleries have mobile privileges with their license types that allow them to sell their products at "fairs, festivals, or other similar events." See KRS 243.155, KRS 243.157, KRS 243.0305. No additional license is required.
Q. What is the cost of alcohol licensing in Paducah?
A. Fees vary depending on the type of license(s). Fees are due when you receive your license and annually thereafter for both the State and the City. Read the Alcohol License Fees for more information.
Q. Are there more resources?
A. The State of Kentucky has a list of FAQs.
Alcoholic Beverage Server Training
Paducah's Code of Ordinances requires alcoholic beverage training for persons licensed for or employed in the sale of alcoholic beverages by the drink. This ordinance requires the training to include the identification of false documents, recognition of intoxication, and liability issues. The goals are to prevent youth access to alcohol and prevent over-service. The training also explains retailer liability and how to handle different scenarios such as spotting a fake ID or confronting a patron who needs to be cut off. All employees hired after the adoption of the ordinance shall complete server training within 30 days of being hired. Re-certification shall be required every three years after the initial training with records maintained on-site verifying employment history and training.
Approved Training Programs:
- Learn to Serve: 888-360-8764 Learn to Serve website
- ServSafe Alcohol: 800-765-2122 ext 6703 ServSafe website
- STAR (Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Server Training in Alcohol Regulations): 502-564-4850 STAR website
- TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures): 800-438-8477 TIPS website
Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Website
State of Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Applications and Licenses
Useful Links and Forms
Acknowledgement Form for ABC Applicant
Sample Newspaper Ad Wording