Entertainment

As outlined under MGL c140(183a), no inholder, common victualler, keeper of a tavern or person owning, managing, or controlling any club, restaurant or other establishment holding a liquor or common victuallers license, and no person owning, managing or controlling any concert, dance, exhibition, cabaret or public show of any description to be conducted on any premises holding a liquor or common victuallers license, shall, as part of its usual business, offer to view, set up, set on foot, maintain or carry on a concert, dance, exhibition, cabaret or public show of any description, unless and until a license has been issued by the board of selectmen.

New Applicants: New applicants, please download the application and open in Adobe; fill in the document, print and sign the application. Using the checklist below, return all required items to the Selectmen's Office or drop in the Drop Box outside the Municipal Center.

Please allow at least three weeks for processing.  The Board of Selectmen meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.  All applications must be reviewed by other Boards / Committees / Departments.  The review process will take about two weeks.  Once reviewed; the application will be placed on the Board of Selectmen’s next agenda.

Clubs

 - Important Information
Clubs need an entertainment license when entertainment is open to all membership. Private functions, those attended by invitation only (baby shower, birthday party, etc.) do not require an entertainment license. Clubs holding a Field Day event can purchase a one-day license.  CLUBS CANNOT ADVERTISE AN EVENT IN THE PAPER, ON THE STREET, OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA, etc.  Doing so opens the event up to the public.

Sunday Entertainment


Licensing for Sunday Entertainment is outlined under MGL c136 and requires the approval of both the board of selectmen and the State of Massachusetts. 

Fees - Not Sunday

License
Fee
Per Event
$10
Yearly $50

Fees - Sunday with Regular Entertainment License

License Fee
Daily per Venue prior to 1 p.m.
$20 (Douglas), $5 (State)
Annually per Venue prior to 1 p.m.
Not set (Douglas), $100 (State)
Daily per Venue after 1 p.m.
$20 (Douglas), $2 (State)
Annually per Venue after 1 p.m.
Not set (Douglas), $50 (State)