The laws concerning the regulation of alcoholic beverages may be found in the ABC Act (starting with Section 23000 of the Business and Professions Code). To consume alcoholic beverages in restricted areas or at restricted times, you must obtain a Special Event Permit from the Citywide Office of Special Events.According to California law, servers exclusively serving cocktails must be 21 or older. However, other servers can be 18 years of age or older. If you need legal help facing the ABC or the ATF, contact us today for a free, initial consultation. The Need for Alcoholic Beverage Control Counsel. In California, both consuming alcohol and having an open container of alcohol in your vehicle are illegal. Below is our summary of the new laws that producers, wholesalers, and retailers of beer, wine, and spirits should know are now binding on them. Elia Law Firm, APC has represented a variety of San Diego businesses that have applied and obtained or transferred an alcoholic beverage control license. Contact us today to get started.