Liquor License Checklist
By Lauren Meir / May 22, 2020 / 22 tasks
Liquor License Checklist
- The amount varies by region.
- Maintain a good relationship with the agency and you'll likely receive automatic license renewal for a lower annual rate.
- If a complaint is filed against your establishment for violating any drinking laws, your license may be revoked.
- Obtaining a ;liquor ;license for your establishment can take up to a year or more. Make sure you take this into consideration when starting the process, so you'll have it in time for opening.
- The agencies that process and award liqour licenses vary by state, and some regions limit the number of liquor licenses in their communities.
- Application fees vary by state, region of operation, type of establishment and other factors. Take taxes into consideration as well.
- If you're taking ownership of an existing bar, you may be required to buy their licence. Buying and ;transferring ;a ;liquor ;license can be complicated, so you should ;hire a lawyer ;with previous experience in this area.
- ;You may be able to acquire your ;liquor ;license if the population increases, as some communities will issue new permits during times of economic growth. This is usually done through a blind auction, the license is sold to the highest bidder. Consult your attorney for details on this process.
- The type of establishment you have affects the kind of license you'll need to obtain, and how much you'll pay for it. The licenses are categorized by class, and their specific titles vary by state.
- Some areas in the U.S. have laws prohibiting the sale or serving of alcohol within it's borders. While there may be exceptions for certain private clubs, the rules are tricky so consult with a lawyer first.
- This type of license allows you to serve beer and wine only.
- Reserved for establishments that brew their own beer. Some states may require an additional license for serving the brew to the public.
- This license applies to golf clubs, country clubs, and other leisure clubs. The state or region dictates whether the club can serve all varieties of ;alcohol ;or just wine and beer.
- ;Applies ;only to small carry-out places that offer the option of purchasing bottled beer. This license permits the sale of beer only, and you are restricted in the amount you can sell per customer.
- Typically 40% of sales must be from alcohol. Restaurants can serve beer, wine, and ;liquor.
- This license applies to liquor stores, drugstore and convenience stores to allow the sale of bottled alcohol.
- Depending on the region, a Tavern licence may require your establishment to serve food.
Getting a liquor license is no small task, but our Obtain a Liquor License Checklist outlines what you need to know to help you through the process. Be informed and you'll be ready to serve your patrons in no time. Cheers!
