Complimentary Wine at Salons and Barbershops: California’s Exemption After SB 247

Updated November 8, 2026. This article was written in mid-March 2024, after SB 247 clarified California’s salon and barbershop alcohol exemption effective January 1, 2024. A labeled section at the end notes a later wording change. It is general information, not legal advice.

A glass of wine with your color appointment

Offering a glass of wine or a beer during a haircut, color appointment, or manicure has become a familiar touch in many California salons and barbershops. It is legal without an alcohol license, but only within narrow limits set by state law. Those limits were clarified by SB 247 (Wilk, Chapter 212, Statutes of 2023), which took effect January 1, 2024.

This article is for salon and barbershop owners, managers, and stylists. It explains what the exemption allows, what it does not, and how to offer a complimentary drink without creating risks for clients, staff, or the business. It also looks at the related exemptions for limousines and hot air balloon rides, which follow a similar logic.

What the law allows

The exemption is in Business and Professions Code section 23399.5. As in effect in early 2024, it says a license or permit is not required for serving wine or beer as part of a beauty salon or barbershop service if all of the following are met:

1. No extra charge. There is no extra fee for the beer or wine. The law explains that this means the price of the service is the same whether or not a drink is served.
2. Good standing. The establishment’s license is in good standing with the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
3. Limited amount. No more than 12 ounces of beer or 6 ounces of wine by the glass is offered to a client.
4. Limited hours. The beer or wine is provided only during business hours and never later than 10 p.m.
5. Local authority. Cities and counties may still restrict or limit this consumption.

What SB 247 clarified

The salon exemption dates to legislation effective in 2017. According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) summary of 2023 chaptered legislation, state law did not define what counts as a “beauty salon” or “beauty salon service.” SB 247 makes clear that the exemption applies to an establishment licensed by, and in good standing with, the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. ABC says the clarification is consistent with its existing interpretation.

In practice, that means a business that provides services outside the board’s licensing, or a business whose establishment license is not in good standing, should not rely on the exemption. Owners can check their establishment license status with the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

What the exemption does not allow

• No spirits. The exemption covers beer and wine only. Cocktails, mimosas made with a spirit-based mixer, and shots are outside it.
• No sales. A salon cannot sell drinks, charge a “beverage fee,” or offer a more expensive service tier that includes wine. The price of the service must be the same whether or not the client has a drink.
• No refills beyond the limit. The law limits what is offered to a client. A second glass that takes a client past 6 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer would not fit.
• No late hours. Service ends by 10 p.m. even if the salon is open later.
• No exceptions for minors. Serving alcohol to anyone under 21 is prohibited under section 25658, whether or not a license is required.

Responsibilities that still apply

Being exempt from a license does not make the drink risk-free. Salons should think about the same issues bars and restaurants consider.

Checking age

Salons serve many young clients, including teens getting prom or graduation styles. Before offering a drink, staff should confirm the client is 21 or older and check ID if there is any doubt. A simple policy, such as checking ID for anyone who appears under 30, avoids guesswork. Our prom and graduation season guide covers this time of year, when salons are especially busy with younger clients.

Intoxicated clients

A client who arrives after a celebration and appears intoxicated should not be offered a drink. Selling or furnishing alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person is prohibited under section 25602. A glass of water or tea is the better offer.

Driving

Many clients drive to and from appointments. A single 6-ounce glass of wine during a two-hour appointment is modest, but staff should not encourage clients to drink more, and should be prepared to offer nonalcoholic drinks.

Chemical services and safety

Salons work with chemicals, heat, and sharp tools. Owners should consider whether alcohol is appropriate during certain services and keep drinks away from workstations to prevent spills.

Staff

The exemption is for clients. Owners should set a clear policy that staff do not drink during working hours.

Group events and bridal parties

Bridal parties, birthday groups, and other group bookings are where the exemption is most often stretched. A group may bring its own bottle, ask for more pours, or want to keep celebrating after the service ends. Owners should decide in advance:

• Whether outside alcohol is permitted. If it is, how will the salon ensure no one under 21 is served and no one is overserved?
• How staff will track the 6-ounce and 12-ounce limits for each client.
• How to handle a request for spirits, such as a bottle of champagne mixed with liqueur.
• How to communicate the policy to the group when booking.

Putting the policy in writing at booking prevents awkward conversations on the day.

Related exemptions: limousines and hot air balloons

Section 23399.5 includes similar exemptions for limousine services regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and for hot air balloon rides. In both cases, no license or permit is required as long as there is no extra charge or fee for the alcohol, meaning the service costs the same whether or not alcohol is served. These operators face their own risks, such as passengers drinking before arriving at a venue. Venues that receive guests arriving by limousine should assess each guest at the door, using the steps in our guide to common ID-check mistakes.

A simple salon policy

• We offer one complimentary glass of wine (up to 6 ounces) or beer (up to 12 ounces) to clients 21 and older during a service.
• We check ID for any client who appears under 30.
• Service prices are the same whether or not a drink is served.
• We do not serve spirits or allow outside spirits.
• We do not serve clients who appear intoxicated.
• We stop serving by 10 p.m.
• Staff do not drink during working hours.

A scenario on a Saturday

A bridal party of five books morning appointments. The bride’s younger sister, who is 19, is part of the group. When the stylist offers wine, she checks IDs and offers the sister sparkling water. Later, the maid of honor asks for a second glass. The stylist explains the salon’s one-glass policy, and the group switches to coffee. Everyone leaves on time and happy, and the salon avoids any question about its exemption.

Training stylists who serve

Stylists are not bartenders, and the salon exemption does not require Responsible Beverage Service certification. Still, the people offering drinks benefit from a few basic skills. A short training session can cover how to read an ID and calculate age, how to recognize signs that a client has been drinking before arriving, how to decline politely, and how to track the limit for each client. Owners who want more depth can encourage staff to take a formal course, since the same skills apply in any setting where alcohol is offered.

A simple way to track pours is to note the drink on the client’s appointment record. That avoids accidental refills when a client moves from one station to another or when a second stylist takes over.

Liability and insurance questions

Offering alcohol can raise questions for a salon’s insurance coverage and lease. Some policies or landlords may have their own rules about serving alcohol on the premises. Owners should check with their insurance agent and review their lease before starting a beverage program, and revisit those conversations if they change what they offer.

When to skip the drink entirely

Some situations call for no alcohol at all: appointments for clients who appear under 21, clients who mention they are driving a long distance or taking medication, services involving strong chemicals, and late appointments close to 10 p.m. A good nonalcoholic menu, such as sparkling water, tea, and coffee, makes it easy to offer hospitality without wine.

Making the policy visible

A small sign at reception can explain the salon’s policy in friendly terms: complimentary beer or wine for clients 21 and older, one glass per visit, ID may be requested, and nonalcoholic options available. Posting the policy sets expectations before a client asks and makes it easier for stylists to decline additional pours. It also shows new staff that the rules apply to everyone, including regular clients and friends of the owner.

Frequently asked questions

Can a salon charge for a “VIP package” that includes wine?

The exemption requires that the service fee be the same regardless of whether beer or wine is served. A package priced higher because it includes wine would not fit.

Can a salon serve champagne?

Sparkling wine is wine, so it can fit within the 6-ounce limit. Adding a spirit-based mixer would not.

Does the exemption apply to nail salons?

SB 247 ties the exemption to establishments licensed by and in good standing with the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Owners should confirm their establishment’s license status.

Since then: current context as of November 8, 2026

As of this update, section 23399.5 has been amended again by AB 1170 (Chapter 67, Statutes of 2025), effective January 1, 2026. The current text describes the exemption as applying to service provided by an establishment subject to regulation by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and keeps the no-extra-charge, good-standing, 12-ounce and 6-ounce, and 10 p.m. limits. Owners should read the current statute before relying on the exemption.

The bottom line

A complimentary drink can be a nice touch, but it is a narrow exemption, not a license. Salons that limit pours, check ages, avoid spirits, keep prices the same, and stop by 10 p.m. can offer it with confidence.

Sources

1. ABC: 2023 Chaptered Legislation
2. California BPC 23399.5
3. California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
4. California BPC 25658
5. California BPC 25602

This article is general information, not legal advice.