Venue Policies & Safety Standards
At The PHNX, our goal is to make hosting feel easy, supported, and enjoyable. Clear policies are part of how we do that.
When expectations are set upfront, events run smoothly and everyone can focus on the moment, not the logistics.
The policies below exist to protect our clients, guests, and community, and to ensure every event is hosted in a safe, lawful, and respectful environment. These standards are mandatory and apply to all events hosted at The PHNX.
By booking an event, clients agree to follow these policies and to ensure all guests, vendors, and participants do the same.
Alcohol Policy
Zero Tolerance for Self-Service
The PHNX does not sell, furnish, or serve alcohol.
To remain compliant with Alabama law, city regulations, and insurance requirements, the following alcohol policies are mandatory and strictly enforced:
Alcohol may only be served by licensed and insured bartenders
Guests may not self-serve alcohol under any circumstance
No outside bartending by guests, friends, or family
No self-serve stations, shots, or communal alcohol access
No alcohol consumption by anyone under the age of 21
No glass containers
All bartenders are hired by and operate under the sole direction and control of the client. Bartenders are not employees, agents, or representatives of The PHNX. The PHNX does not supervise, manage, or oversee alcohol service in any capacity.
Violations of alcohol policies place the venue and the client at serious legal and financial risk and may result in fines, immediate removal of guests, or termination of the event without refund.
Why Alcohol Rules Matter
Improper alcohol service is one of the highest safety and liability risks associated with private events.
Self-service, unlicensed bartending, or underage consumption creates significant risk to guests, hosts, and third parties and jeopardizes the lawful operation of the venue. These policies exist to protect everyone involved and to ensure events remain compliant with all applicable regulations.
The PHNX enforces these rules consistently and without exception.
Guest Behavior and Safety
Clients are fully responsible for the conduct and behavior of all guests, vendors, and participants during the event.
The PHNX reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to remove any individual or immediately end an event if behavior threatens safety, compliance, or property, including but not limited to:
Intoxication or disorderly conduct
Alcohol policy violations
Harassment, threats, or violence
Vandalism or unsafe use of the space
Illegal activity of any kind
Smoking, vaping, and illegal drugs are not permitted inside the building or on the premises.
Vendors and Outside Services
Clients may select their own vendors. Licensed and insured vendors are strongly encouraged.
The PHNX does not supervise, manage, or control vendor operations, including food handling, equipment use, décor installation, or alcohol service, as doing so would constitute unlawful participation in regulated activities.
Clients assume full responsibility for the actions, compliance, and conduct of all vendors hired for their event.
Food and Beverage Responsibility
Clients may bring food or catering at their own discretion.
The PHNX does not provide food handling, supervision, or food safety services and assumes no responsibility for illness, allergic reactions, contamination, or injury related to food or beverages served at an event.
All food and beverage risk is fully assumed by the client.
Décor, Fire Code, and Property Protection
To comply with fire code, safety regulations, and insurance requirements, the following items are not permitted:
Confetti, glitter, rice, hay, straw, or similar materials
Fireworks, fog machines, or scent machines
Open flames without enclosed holders
Nails, screws, or damaging adhesives
Items hung above approved height limits
Any décor that blocks exits, walkways, or accessibility routes
Violations may result in cleaning, repair, or remediation charges.
Accessibility and Building Use
All event spaces, walkways, and restrooms at The PHNX are ADA accessible.
Guests and vendors may not operate, adjust, or access building systems, including electrical panels, thermostats, bay doors, mechanical equipment, or restricted areas. Unauthorized access is not permitted.
Bay Doors
The PHNX features four large bay doors, including three front-facing glass bay doors and one rear bay door. Opening the bay doors is welcome and often enhances the flow and feel of an event. Just let us know when you’d like them open.
Due to the size of the bay doors (approximately 12’ x 12’ each), opening one or more doors introduces a significant amount of outside air into the building. When bay doors are open, interior temperature will fluctuate based on outdoor conditions. During warmer months, especially in Alabama summer heat and humidity, the air conditioning system may not be able to maintain or quickly restore a cool indoor temperature while bay doors remain open.
Clients understand and acknowledge that:
Opening bay doors is optional and at the Client’s discretion
Temperature control cannot be guaranteed while bay doors are open
Once bay doors are opened, the heating or air conditioning system may require time to return the space to the desired temperature after the doors are closed
The PHNX is not responsible for discomfort related to temperature changes resulting from open bay doors.
Liability and Responsibility
Events involve inherent risks. By hosting an event at The PHNX, clients accept full responsibility for:
Guest conduct and behavior
Alcohol service and consumption
Food and beverage service
Vendor actions and compliance
Use of the venue, parking areas, and surrounding property
The PHNX does not supervise or control guest behavior, alcohol consumption, vendor operations, or crowd activity and assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen items.
The PHNX assumes no responsibility for actions, injuries, accidents, or damages occurring off the property, including incidents involving intoxicated guests after leaving the venue.
Event Liability Insurance
Clients are strongly encouraged to obtain event liability insurance, including host liquor liability coverage.
Clients who choose not to obtain insurance acknowledge and accept full financial and legal responsibility for any injury, damage, accident, or claim arising from the event.
Enforcement Authority
PHNX staff are authorized solely to enforce venue policies, restrict access, or end an event if safety, compliance, or property protection becomes a concern. PHNX staff do not manage or correct alcohol service or guest behavior.
All enforcement decisions are final and made to protect guests, the client, and the facility.
Our Commitment
These policies are not intended to limit celebrations. They exist to ensure events are safe, compliant, and responsibly hosted.
We are always happy to walk through these policies in advance so expectations are clear and events run smoothly.
Important Note
This page provides a summary of venue policies for transparency and clarity.
All events are governed by the full Event Rental Agreement, which outlines detailed terms, responsibilities, and enforcement provisions.