MIT requires that student organizations comply with the law and adhere to all existing MIT policies and guidelines for safe and responsible alcohol service. To comply, adhere to these deadlines and rules for any event involving alcohol:
Deadlines
- Space reservation confirmed 30 working days before the event
- Atlas registration submitted with completed Alcohol Proposal Form 10 working days before the event
- One-Day Alcohol License application to the City of Cambridge 10 working days before the event
Key Guidelines and Policies
- MIT Police Presence, Metal Detectors and Public Safety.
- It is the responsibility of the event host/s to ensure that guests who are intoxicated are not allowed to enter the event and are provided with medical attention.
- For student organization events, MIT students may not distribute alcohol. Only a third-party bartending service may handle and distribute alcohol; they are also required to check IDs.
- Alcohol may not be served to any individual under 21 years of age. Violation of this section may result in a fine of $1,000, 6 months of imprisonment, or both (M.G.L. c138 s34).
- Proof of age must be checked at all entrances to an event. Guests must wear a wristband or other non-duplicable proof of legal drinking age, and the student organization is responsible for purchasing the wristbands. Proof of age should be checked again by the bartender when alcohol is served. Event hosts are required to make sure attendees wear wristbands confirming their age at all times during the event.
- If admission is charged at the door, alcohol, if provided, must be dispensed from a cash bar. Massachusetts General laws prohibit free drinks at licensed events.
- Alcohol must be attended at all times. Guests must never be able to help themselves to drinks. Servers may not consume alcohol immediately before or during the event.
- A bartender may not serve more than two drinks to one person at one time. Pitchers may not be served. Alcohol may not be served from quantity dispensing sources (e.g. kegs, punch bowls, water coolers, etc.).
- Non-alcoholic beverages and food must be available throughout the event.
- “Last call” must occur no later than 12:30 AM or 30 minutes before the scheduled end time, whichever is earlier.
- Advertising of events involving alcohol must focus on the event, not the alcohol. Phrases such as “Beverages Available” and “Positive ID required” are acceptable, while phrases such as “Wine & Cheese Party” and “Beer Bash” are not. Advertising may not offer free alcohol, provide details on the type or brand of alcohol to be served, or include phrases such as “All you can drink.”
- Student organizations may not use Institute funds, including “house taxes” or student activities fees to purchase alcohol, though such funds may be used to hire third-party bartenders.
- Student organizations that wish to use departmental funds for purchasing alcohol must register their program as a “Departmental Event,” not a “Student Org Event” in their Atlas registration form. The departmental cost object must be entered in the police detail field.
- Per state law and MIT policy, alcohol donations are not allowed, and no donated funds can be used to cover the cost of alcohol purchases. If a sponsor wishes to directly cover the costs of alcohol, please contact SOLE.
Institute Alcohol Policies
Cambridge Alcohol License Requirements
- A One-Day Alcohol License is required from the City of Cambridge for all events where a cash bar is present (even those operated by MIT Catering) or where there is an admission charge at the door if alcohol is available at the event. The license must be posted in a location visible to all attendees.
- All event hosts must be 21 years of age with a valid form of identification.
- All event hosts must remain present and may not consume alcohol immediately before or during the event.
- All event hosts must confirm the third-party bartending service’s ABC license.
- Criteria for One-Day Alcohol License exceptions:
- The event involving alcohol is on private property (indoor or outdoor); AND
- The event involving alcohol is closed to the public and is not advertised on social media; AND
- The event involving alcohol does not require an admission fee.
Departments, Labs, Centers, and Institutes (DLCIs)
Adherence to MIT’s alcohol guidelines is mandatory for all hosts at events serving alcohol. Event hosts must review and agree to these policies during the event registration process and ensure all purchasers, servers, and monitors understand their responsibilities. This includes compliance with liquor license requirements, age verification, responsible service, and state laws (as outlined above).
Departments must also follow Institute funding restrictions, noting that use of Institute funds for alcohol requires senior officer approval. For more about DLCI event registration, please see the information provided by Institute Events.