How to Obtain a Liquor License in New York City

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• A liquor license can help a restaurant or bar
  business thrive and remain competitive,
  especially in dense, urban retail environments
  like New York.
• If you plan to open or expand your business to
  serve alcohol, you need to know how to get a
  liquor license in New York City.
• The best advice is to start your application
  right away, to allow time for the process to be
  completed. Heres a step-by-step guide to get you
  started.

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• Make sure you meet eligibility requirements to
  apply for a liquor license.
• Each owner or partner must be 21 or older and be
  a citizen of the U.S., or a permanent resident
  alien, or a citizen of a country with a U.S.
  trade visa treaty. You can also not have any
  wholesale ownership, be an active police officer,
  or have certain felony convictions.
• The space must be used commercially with
  appropriate use groups.

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• In NYC you must notify the appropriate community
  board in your borough of intent to file with SLA,
  30 days in advance, and submit proof of the
  certified mail notice with your state
  application.
• You must also publish a notice in a County
  Clerk-designated newspaper, once a week for two
  successive weeks, after youve filed your
  application with the state.
• NYC has 5 boroughs, with 59 different Community
  Boards. Each has a subcommittee that reviews
  liquor license applications, with its own set of
  procedures. Community Boards meet monthly and you
  may be asked to appear.

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• The NYSLA grants 4 basic types of liquor
  licenses, for
• On-premises liquor, standard for bars and
  restaurants. Allows on-premises consumption for
  liquor, wine, and beer. Must serve food.
• Grocery Beer/Wine, this is an off-premises
  license.
• Catering License for meeting, event, and banquet
  halls.
• Liquor Store licenses.

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• Inside New York City, a liquor or wine store or
  an on-premises liquor establishment (bar or
  restaurant) cant be located on the same street
  and within 200 feet of a school, church,
  synagogue, or other place of worship.
• On-premises license establishments selling wine
  and/or beer, and grocery stores are exempt from
  the 200-feet rule.
• On-premises license establishments cant open
  within 500 feet of three or more existing
  establishments without satisfying an additional
  burden of a showing for public benefit.

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• The SLA has a fee schedule for each type of
  license offered, with variable pricing per county
  within the state.
• You must pay the total fee when filing.
• In the event of a license transfer or purchase,
  an attorneys input is important to protect your
  interests.

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• Your application must outline exactly what type
  of establishment you propose, which in turn
  determines the type of license needed.
• Factors to specify what food, type of alcohol
  you will serve, where, how, and to whom. Agencies
  also consider what percentage of your sales come
  from liquor vs. food.
• In New York State, the SLA issues many categories
  of liquor licenses, such as restaurant wine,
  tavern wine, On-Premises liquor, and many more.

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• A license can be costly, for a new business or to
  transfer an existing one. Services of a liquor
  license lawyer may be the most cost-effective
  choice, considering these valuable benefits
• Avoid costly delays by submitting a complete and
  accurate application, to the right person or
  agency with all documentation.
• Advice on interfacing with the complex system of
  Community Boards.
• Help choosing the proper type of license from
  among New York States nearly 20 options.

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• Helbraun Levey O Donoghue LLP serves New
  Yorks thriving small business and start-up
  community for all legal and licensing needs. We
  know New York City and weve built a deep client
  base as lawyers for bars, restaurants, hotels,
  retail stores, and other start-ups and
  entrepreneurs.
• Please contact us for a free consultation and
  individualized help with all your legal needs.
  Visit helbraunlevey.com.
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• https//www.sla.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions
• http//helbraunlevey.com/bar-restaurant/licensing/
  state-liquor-authority/