Theo Nash
If you plan to serve alcohol in your restaurant, you will need a liquor license. The type of license you need depends on the type of alcohol you serve and how it is served. The two primary categories are on-licenses and off-licenses. On-licenses are for businesses that sell or serve alcohol to be consumed on-premises, while off-licenses are for businesses that sell alcohol to be consumed elsewhere. There are several types of on-licenses that restaurants may need to apply for, depending on the type of alcohol being served. A restaurant liquor license, for example, is commonly known as an all liquor license because it allows a business to serve all types of alcohol. A beer and wine liquor license, on the other hand, does not permit the sale of stronger spirits.
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What You'll Learn
On-license vs off-license
If you plan to serve alcohol at your restaurant, you will need to obtain a liquor license. The type of license you need depends on how you sell or serve alcohol, with the two primary categories being on-license and off-license.
An on-license, also known as an on-premise or on-sale license, is for businesses that sell or serve alcohol for consumption on-premises. This is the type of license that a restaurant or bar would need to obtain. There are several types of on-licenses, including:
- Restaurant liquor license: This is also known as the "all liquor license" as it allows a business to serve all types of alcohol.
- Beer and wine liquor license: Unlike the "all liquor license", this license does not permit the sale of stronger spirits.
- Tavern liquor license: This is for restaurants that serve both food and alcohol but have at least 50% of sales generated solely from liquor.
- Server license: Some jurisdictions require individual servers to obtain this license in addition to the restaurant's liquor license.
An off-license, also known as an off-premise or off-sale license, is for businesses that sell alcohol to be consumed elsewhere. This type of license is required for liquor stores, wine shops, and grocery and convenience stores that sell alcohol for "carry-out". There are two main off-sale retail liquor licenses:
- Type 20: This license only offers privileges for beer and wine.
- Type 21: This license offers privileges for beer, wine, and spirits.
It is important to note that the licensing requirements may vary depending on the state and county in which your business operates. For example, in California, Type 41 and Type 42 on-sale licenses are incidental to food service and commonly used for full-service restaurants, while Type 42 and Type 48 licenses are for bars or taverns where only patrons 21 and older are allowed on the premises.
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Restaurant liquor license
If you plan to serve alcohol in your restaurant, you will need a liquor license. The type of license you need will depend on the type of alcohol you serve and the manner in which you serve it. For example, a beer and wine liquor license does not permit you to sell stronger spirits.
In the US, liquor licenses are issued by the state in which your business operates, as different states have different regulations relating to alcohol sales. The two primary categories are on-licenses and off-licenses. On-licenses are for businesses that are selling or serving alcohol to be consumed on the premises. Off-licenses are for businesses selling alcohol to be consumed elsewhere, such as liquor stores and grocery stores.
In Texas, for example, the most common licenses for restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages are the Mixed Beverage Permit, which allows the sale of mixed drinks, cocktails, and spirits, and the Beer and Wine Permit, which does not allow for the sale of liquor.
In New York, a restaurant beer (eating place beer) license allows the sale of beer, cider, and mead, whereas a restaurant wine license allows the sale of beer, cider, mead, wine, and wine products. A restaurant liquor (on-premises) license allows the sale of beer, cider, mead, wine, wine products, and liquor.
Before applying for a liquor license, it is important to check what kinds of permits you will need for your application. You can consult your local Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board for this information or check with your state's alcohol or liquor agency.
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Tavern liquor license
If you intend to sell or serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, you must obtain a license or permit. The type of license you need depends on how you sell or serve alcohol. The two primary categories are on-license and off-license. On-licenses are for businesses that sell or serve alcohol to be consumed on-site, such as restaurants, taverns, or bars. Off-licenses are for businesses that sell alcohol to be consumed elsewhere, such as liquor stores, wine shops, or grocery stores.
A tavern liquor license is typically for establishments that serve both food and alcohol but have at least 50% of their sales generated solely from liquor. In Colorado, for example, a tavern license permits the sale of beer, wine, and liquor for consumption on the premises. Taverns are not required to serve full meals, but they must offer sandwiches, pizzas, burritos, or light snacks during all hours when alcohol is served. Minors are allowed on the premises, and the license is subject to Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) requirements, which mandate that alcohol servers and managers be RBS certified.
On the other hand, a restaurant liquor license, sometimes called an "all liquor license," permits a business to serve all types of alcohol, including beer, cider, mead, wine, and spirits. Restaurants with this license must be regularly open to the public and serve full entrée-style meals. They may also allow patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages (BYOB) as long as the beverage is covered under the restaurant's license.
To obtain a liquor license, you must first determine the specific license you need based on your establishment type and the state in which you operate. Different states have varying regulations, and you can consult your local Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board or state liquor agency for guidance. Before applying, you should also check the requirements for permits and necessary paperwork.
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Server license
A server license, also known as an on-premise permit, is a type of alcohol license that some jurisdictions require individual servers to obtain in addition to a liquor license. It is mandatory for any staff serving alcohol in a restaurant to have this license. This includes waiters, waitresses, and bartenders.
The specific requirements for a server license vary depending on the state and local regulations. For example, in California, all servers and managers must complete RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) Training and pass an ABC certification exam within 60 days of their hire date. RBS training covers topics such as how to prevent underage sales, how to identify intoxicated customers, and how to adhere to public safety policies. On the other hand, Texas' TABC certification is not mandatory, but employers may require it during the hiring process.
To obtain a server license, applicants must typically be at least 18 years old and complete an alcohol awareness program or course. This course educates servers on the different types of alcohol, the legal serving amounts according to state law, and DUI and DWI laws. It is important to note that completing an alcohol awareness course does not guarantee the issuance of a server permit.
The server license is typically valid for a specific period, after which it must be renewed. For example, in Tennessee, server permits issued before January 1, 2025, are valid for five years, while those issued after that date are valid for two years.
It is important to check the specific requirements and regulations for server licenses in your state or jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the law.
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License types by US state
The type of license required for serving alcohol in a restaurant varies depending on the US state. While there is no one-size-fits-all liquor license, there are some common types of licenses that are available in multiple states.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between on-licenses and off-licenses. On-licenses are required for businesses where alcohol is consumed on-site, such as restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Off-licenses, on the other hand, are for businesses where alcohol is sold but consumed off-site, such as liquor stores, bottle shops, and grocery stores.
Some common types of on-licenses include:
- Restaurant liquor license: This is often referred to as the “all liquor license" as it permits the sale of all types of alcohol.
- Beer and wine liquor license: This license does not permit the sale of stronger spirits.
- Tavern liquor license: This is for establishments that serve both food and alcohol but derive at least 50% of their sales from liquor.
- Brewpub license: This license is for establishments that make their own beer or wine.
- Club license: This license allows private social clubs to serve alcohol to their members. The types of alcohol permitted vary by state.
Some common types of off-licenses include:
- Arts license: This license is for places like theaters and art galleries to serve alcohol during events.
- Delivery license: This license permits the delivery of sealed containers of alcohol to customers.
In addition to these common types of licenses, some states have their own unique licenses. For example, in California, there is a license that authorizes the commercial manufacture of up to 150,000 gallons of distilled spirits per fiscal year, while New York has specific licenses for restaurant beer and restaurant wine, which permit the sale of beer, cider, and mead, with the latter also allowing the sale of wine and wine products.
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Frequently asked questions
A liquor license is a permit that allows an establishment to sell alcohol. Different types of licenses are available depending on the kind of establishment, the type of alcohol served, and how it is served.
The two primary categories are on-licenses and off-licenses. On-licenses are for businesses where alcohol is consumed on the premises, and off-licenses are for businesses where alcohol is sold to be consumed elsewhere. Restaurants typically require on-licenses. Within on-licenses, there are several types, including restaurant liquor licenses, beer and wine liquor licenses, and tavern liquor licenses.
A restaurant liquor license, also known as an "all liquor license," allows a restaurant to serve all types of alcohol, including beer, cider, mead, wine, wine products, and liquor.
The process of obtaining a liquor license can vary depending on the state and local regulations. It is essential to consult the local Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board or the state's alcohol or liquor agency for specific requirements and procedures. Before applying, it is necessary to check the required permits and have the necessary paperwork ready.
