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If you are opening a bar or restaurant in New York City, or if you already own a business and would like to apply for a liquor license to increase revenue, understanding the application process and knowing where to start could save you time and money.
Bars, restaurants, clubs, and music venues that serve or sell alcohol in the state of New York are required to be licensed by the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA). The application process can be relatively simple or extremely complicated, depending upon the type of license.
For example, you may apply for any of the following:
- Seasonal License
- Temporary Liquor Permit
- Beer and Wine (Only) License
- Full (On Premises) Liquor License
Generally, you should not begin the liquor license application process until after you have acquired rights to the location where you want to start your business. With that said, occasionally, when closing seems likely or imminent, it is wise to begin the Community Board application process prior to full rights acquisition in order to initiate the process.
After you have closed on the property or signed a lease:
- Send notice to the Community Board. Within NYC, the Community Board is the first level of review to determine whether or not an applicant should be permitted to have a liquor license. The notice form provided by the NYSLA will give the board the general parameters of your business plan.
- Appear before the Community Board: In certain locations, often depending on local board rules and the level of “license saturation” in the area, you will be required to make a personal appearance. If that happens, you must also post a public notice at the physical premises of your business, notifying the surrounding community of your intentions. The notice must be clearly visible, and provide the date, time, and location of the scheduled Community Board meeting. In this way, neighbors have the opportunity to attend the meeting and voice their concerns.
Community Boards opinions and decisions are advisory only.
After listening to the licensee’s business proposal and the concerns, if any, from the surrounding neighbors, the Community Board will submit their report and collective opinion as regards the NYSLA application. The board’s report will inform upon the NYSLA’s decision as to whether granting the license is to the convenience and advantage of the community.
Having an attorney work with you to obtain your liquor license is not just for the benefit of organization and document filing. We will help you create a narrative that works for both the Community Board and the NYSLA. We will properly relay your plans, accomplish the often creative, but necessary, homework and advise you on how best to handle some of the community’s more adversarial members.
With or without Community Board approval, your application could take anywhere from two to four months. Applicants need to be fingerprinted, provide proof of citizenship, copies of a driver’s license and passport with a current passport photo, and in-depth employment and residential histories. The NYSLA is very thorough. If you do not have a good lawyer who knows how to move things along, the process can become a tortuous maze of epic proportions.
Aaron Pierce
(212) 882-1752
299 Broadway, Suite 1405
New York, NY 10007
aaron.pierce@piercekwok.com
piercekwok.com
