Get Your Liquor License In Weeks!
New York Liquor License Now was founded as a subsidiary of our firm on June 2010 in response to the needs of bars, lounges, clubs, restaurants, wine stores, liquor stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, wholesalers, and importers throughout the New York City metro area to obtain their liquor license as quickly as possible.
To obtain your New York liquor license today or to obtain a price quote please email us at info@lawrodriguez.com. To speak with an attorney, please call us at (212) 292-4233.
Why Choose Us?
Our goal at New York Liquor License Now is to offer outstanding value through unparalleled speed and competitive pricing. Under the Attorney Self-Certification Program implemented by the New York State Liquor Authority, we can obtain liquor license approvals in weeks, as opposed to six to twelve months.
Our reputation lies in our ability to obtain your license faster than the competition, at a price that’s lower than the competition.
Unlike many of our competitors, so called liquor license “consultants” or “specialists” who tout their “connections” at the State Liquor Authority, we are attorneys licensed in New York who rely on our speed and our work product to achieve our results. Moreover, only attorneys are afforded the privileges of the Attorney Self-Certification Program which allows us to obtain your license in mere weeks.
Within hours of retaining our services, you will receive a call from an attorney to start the process as quickly as possible, as well as an email or fax containing questionnaires and a list of documents we require.
Unlike other liquor licensing attorneys, we charge a flat fee for our services and require just a $1,000 deposit to initiate the process. We resist the common trend among other attorneys to nickel and dime you at each step of the process.
The Attorney Self-Certification Program
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In September of 2009, the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) initiated an Attorney Self-Certification Program which permits you to obtain a New York Liquor License in as little as two weeks. This program allows attorneys to self certify an application that they file by requiring the attorney to verify and attest as to accuracy of the information and the documentation contained in the application. This allows the NYSLA to bypass the lengthy investigation and grant approval of your New York Liquor License application in just weeks as opposed to 6-12 months or more. In order to qualify for the program:
1) ALL questions must be answered and have the correct response. If a question is not applicable to a specific application, “n/a” must be checked and the reason it is not applicable must be given. Use additional sheets to explain if necessary;
2) The application must not require Full Board determination (i.e. 500’ case with objections, new package store applications, percentage rent over 15%);
3) No one other than the applicant holds a security interest in the business;
4) Both the applicant and the attorney must sign the certification. If a partnership, all partners must sign.
To read more about the Attorney Self-Certification Program, click here.
Fees
Our fee for an Attorney Self-Certified application (not including state licensing and filing fees) ranges anywhere from $4,000 for a Grocery Store Beer License to $5,000 for On-Premise Liquor Licenses and Wine or Liquor Store Licenses. You can start the process to obtain your liquor license today with a $1,000 deposit with the remainder due in thirty (30) days. To request a fee agreement, please email us at info@lawrodriguez.com or call us at (212) 292-4233.
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Grocery Store Beer |
Groc. Store Beer/Wine |
Eating Place Beer |
Restaurant Beer/Wine |
On-Premise Liquor |
Wine Store |
Liquor Store |
Wholesale |
New York Liquor License Now Fee |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
$4,500 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
Please inquire within. |
To view a chart of state licensing and filing fees, please click here.
Articles on Liquor Licensing in New York
"Important Information For All New York State Liquor Licensees"
"How to Get a New York Liquor License"
"New York Liquor License: Community Board Q & A"
"The Most Common New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) Violations"
How to Obtain a New York Liquor License
1. Make sure you do not fall under any of the statutory disqualifications to holding an alcoholic beverage retail license (“liquor license”) under Alcoholic Beverage Control Law – e.g. you are over 21, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you have never been convicted of any felony, etc.
2. Determine which alcoholic beverage license class you seek. For example, bodegas and grocery stores need a Grocery Store Beer or Beer/Wine License. Bars, pubs, and taverns require an On-Premise Liquor License to serve beer, wine and liquor.
3. Determinewhether your establishment complies with both the 200 and the 500 Foot Rule.
4. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law requires that anyone applying for an On-Premises License notify their Community Board of their intention to apply for a liquor license 30 days before filing an application with the State Liquor Authority. Proof of the 30 day notice must be submitted with the application. The Community Board may request such items as your proposed menu, business plan, and may submit an opinion, either in favor of or against granting the license. That opinion will become part of the record used by the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) in deciding whether to approve the application.
5. Once the thirty day Community Board period has elapsed, you may proceed to file your New York Liquor License application with the NYSLA. The application itself is 20+ pages and requires detailed disclosures concerning the establishment and its finances. The application also requires that the applicant submit a penal bond, photographs of the interior and exterior of the premises to be licensed, personal questionnaires, proof of citizenship and photo identification of all principals, a contract of sale or conveyance, your lease agreement, various diagrams, copies of bank statements and loan agreements, your certificate to authority to collect sales tax, your Federal Tax ID Number, and Filing Receipts for your Corporation or LLC.
6. Assuming the NYSLA receives all the required information and documentation, all materials are complete and accurate, and there is no other reason to reject your application, the NYSLA should issue your license within six months. If your application is incomplete or missing information, expect an additional delay of anywhere from one to six more months.
7. Fortunately, in September of 2009, the NYSLA approved the implementation of the Attorney Self-Certification Program resulting in approvals in just two weeks. This program allows attorneys filing applications on behalf of applicants to certify that statements and documents provided in an application are true and accurate and that the application meets all statutory requirements. The program has allowed for a more timely review of applications as the agency will rely on the information certified by the Attorney, eliminating the need to review each document submitted.
8. In May of 2010, the NYSLA extended the Attorney Self-Certification Program.
Community Board Q & A
Are Community Boards notified of when the SLA receives applications in their neighborhoods?
For certain types of establishments, Community Boards are notified before the SLA receives an
application. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law requires that anyone applying for an onpremises
license notify their community board of their intention to apply for a liquor license 30
days before filing an application with the State Liquor Authority. Proof of the 30 day notice must
be submitted with the application.
The community board may submit an opinion, either in favor of or against granting the license.
That opinion will become part of the record used by the SLA in deciding whether to approve the
application.
How can I tell what type of establishment is in my neighborhood?
On September 15, 2008, the SLA started issuing new color coded licenses for On Premises (bars,
nightclubs, restaurants, etc.) licensees. The licenses are color coded in order to provide an easy
way for local government officials, community groups, the NYPD, and the public to know
exactly what type of establishments are licensed in their communities. License certificates are
color coded depending on the type of establishment: Mixed Use (Purple), Nightclub/Cabaret
(Red), Restaurant Wine (Olive), Other (Blue).
The licenses also list details of the “Method of Operation” of the premises including: days and
hours of operation, whether live music or dancing is permitted, if the premises includes an
outside area, etc. This is part of the SLA’s effort to provide more information to communities
and local governments.
What are the different types of licenses granted by the SLA?
There are several types of licenses granted by the SLA, the following are the four basic ones
issued:
On-Premises Liquor: Generally considered to be the standard "bar" license. Allows onpremises
consumption of liquor, wine and beer and also allows for sale of beer (only) for
off-premises consumption. Food, such as soups and sandwiches, MUST be served.
Grocery Beer/Wine: Off-premises beer license as listed above, see "Grocery Store
Beer". Additionally a "wine product" is defined as a beverage containing wine with
added juice, flavoring, water, citric acid, sugar and carbon dioxide, not containing more
than six percent alcohol by volume (typically referred to as "wine coolers").
Catering: Allows providers of food for banquet halls, dining halls, etc., to provide
liquor, wine and beer for consumption for an assemblage for a particular function (i.e.
retirement dinner, wedding reception, private party) to which the general public is not
admitted. This license is for this type of function only.
Liquor Store: For the sale of liquor and wine (no beer) for consumption off the
premises. The only additional items allowed to be sold, such as ice and corkscrews, are
listed in the ABC Law. Only one license is allowed per person (corporation, partnership,
etc.).
What is the 500 foot rule and how does this apply to community boards?
When the SLA receives an application, there is a general presumption that it will be approved
unless there is a good reason not to approve it. However, for on premises license applications
falling under the 500 foot rule, (meaning there are already 3 or more existing establishments with
the same type of license within 500 feet of the proposed applicant), the presumption switches,
and by law the application cannot be approved unless the SLA finds that issuing the license
would be in the public interest.
The 500 foot law requires the SLA to consult with the community board and conduct a hearing
to gather facts to determine whether the public interest would be served by issuing the license.
Generally speaking, if there is no opposition to the application, and no other issues presented that
requires consideration by the Members of the Authority, the application is acted on by the SLA’s
Licensing Bureau. In cases where the community board or other interested parties oppose the
application, or there are other issues requiring review by the Members of the Authority, the
matter is referred to the Members for determination. It is important to note that the fact that
there is opposition to an application does not necessarily mean that the Authority will disapprove
the application. The Authority may also applications even when there is no opposition.
In situations where there is opposition to an application, applicants may come to an agreement on
stipulations concerning the operation of the establishment (e.g. closing hours, live music, etc). In
such cases, the applicant may incorporate those stipulations into the approved method of
operation. These stipulations then become conditions of the license privilege and failure to
comply subjects the licensee to disciplinary action. The SLA can impose certain conditions on
the operation of the establishment without the consent of the applicant if there is good cause to
do so.
Stipulations: Before a license is issued, if a Community Board and applicant agree to certain conditions of the license, some of which can be written intothe license and some that cannot, how can the Community Board handle this?
If the Community Board and the applicant reach an agreement with respect to the operation of
the establishment, the applicant can incorporate into the application those conditions that are
relevant to the operation of a licensed establishment.
What is the 200 Ft rule?
Under the “200 Foot Rule” an establishment cannot be licensed to sell liquor at retail if it is on
the same street and within 200 feet of a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
The rule also applies to wine stores. It does not apply to on premises establishments that are
licensed for wine and/or beer only and to grocery stores. There are two exceptions under the law
if the establishment existed prior to the enactment of the law in 1934 or if the location was
licensed prior to the existence of the school or place of worship and has been continuously
licensed ever since.
What weight does the CB have in recommending approval or denial of retail license?
While not binding on the Members of the Authority, the SLA considers input from community
boards in all licensing decisions. However, courts have held that, for applications not subject to
the 500 foot rule, community opposition alone is not sufficient to disapprove an application.
How do I know what Community Board represents me?
The following link is from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/directory.shtml
Can a bar or nightclub “transfer” their license to another owner? Does the Community Board need to be notified? Does a transfer require SLA approval?
Licensees may not “transfer” a license, in the way transfer is commonly understood (i.e. licenses
may not be sold or given from one person or company to another). The SLA’s Licensing Bureau
staff uses the terms “transfer” and “new” applications only to differentiate between an
application for an establishment that is currently licensed and selling their business (transfer) and
an establishment that is not currently licensed (new). In both cases, the license applicant must go
through the same process, including notifying their CB and holding a 500 foot-hearing if
applicable. A corporate licensee may have a change of officers, directors and stockholders
without going through the entire application process. In such a case the licensee has to submit
information regarding the new persons coming into the corporation and the financing involved.
How do temporary permits work? If a license applicant gets a temporary, does this mean
they will get a full liquor license?
A license applicant who is purchasing the existing business that is currently licensed to sell
alcoholic beverages may file an application for a Temporary Retail Permit. This allows the
license applicant to begin operating the business and serving alcoholic beverages while their
application for a permanent license is being reviewed. In order to qualify for this permit, the
establishment must have been open and operating at least 30 days prior to the filing of the
application.
The permit is granted at the discretion of the SLA for a period of 90 days, and may be renewed.
Issuance of the permit is not a guarantee that the licensee will be approved for a permanent
license.
Does the license expire once the licensee’s establishment ceases to exist?
A liquor license is connected to the individual and a specific location. If the establishment ceases
to exist their license certificate must be returned to the SLA. If the entity has vacated the
premises is considered abandoned, the SLA Licensing Bureau sends out an abandonment letter to
verify if the prior tenant has vacated the premises.
When a licensee closes their business, they are required to alert the SLA and hand in their
license, this is referred to as “surrendering” the license. Licensees are entitled to a refund on the
unused portion of their licensing fee.
BYOB: While a license is pending, may a business owner allow customers to bring their own bottles of wine or other alcohol to have with their meals?
No, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) is generally not legal in New York State. Applicants
awaiting a liquor license may jeopardize their chances for approval for permitting such practices.
Are there any routine unannounced inspections of establishments by SLA’s enforcement unit to ensure compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law or is it complaint driven?
The SLA conducts unannounced undercover inspections as part of its investigation of a licensee.
An investigation by the SLA may include: 1. on-site inspections of a licensed establishment; 2.
on-site undercover investigations by SLA Investigators and other law enforcement agencies; 3. a
review of reports and investigations by other law enforcement and regulatory agencies; and 4.
interviewing potential witnesses/complainants and collecting evidence of potential violations.
Information comes to the SLA from a variety of sources, including police and other law
enforcement agency referrals, complaints by other government agencies or officials, and
complaints made by the public. The identity of a person making a complaint is kept confidential.
How does SLA initiate its training with the New York City Police Department?
The SLA coordinates with multiple agencies including the NYPD to monitor potential problem
premises. The SLA additionally holds numerous training seminars with police departments, and
has recently updated our “Law Enforcement Handbook” designed to provide law enforcement
agencies with the information they need in order to charge licensee’s who violate the ABC Law.
The SLA also participates in the MARCH (Multi-Agency Response to Community Hotspots)
program in New York City. The MARCH program is run out of the Criminal Justice
Coordinator’s office (CJC) and coordinated by the NYPD. These multi-agency operations have
been an extremely successful partnership in an effort to ensure the safety of NYC residents. The
SLA will continue to participate in MARCH operations to ensure our limited resources are being
utilized efficiently. Community complaints help the SLA to target the establishments that have
become a nuisance to the neighborhoods.
How do government agencies such as the Department of Buildings (DOB), theDepartment of Environmental Protection (DEP) and NY Fire Department (FDNY) work with the SLA?
DOB, DEP, and FDNY work with the SLA in joint operations, including MARCH Operations
described above. In addition, the SLA receives numerous referrals from all of these city
agencies on violations discovered in licensed premises.
Where can one find the fine schedule?
There is not a fine schedule; all fines are determined by the Members of the Authority on a case
by case basis. The Members look at the severity of the violation(s) as well as the licensee’s
history in making a determination.
What’s the process for follow-up and accountability with respect to licensees regarding revocation, cancellation or suspension?
Revocations and Cancellations are served and posted at the licensee’s location. In addition, the
Revocation/Cancellation order is delivered to the police precinct in which the establishment is
located. This ensures that the precincts in which the licensee formerly held a license are aware
of the termination of the license.
What would trigger an Emergency Summary Suspension? Can the SLA padlock an establishment after issuing a suspension?
The Members of the Authority can order an Emergency Summary Suspension when they believe
the health, welfare, and safety is jeopardized by the continued operation of a licensee. While the
license is suspended immediately, licensees are entitled to an expedited hearing before an
impartial Administrative Law Judge. An order of Summary Suspension remains in effect until
such time as it is modified by the State Liquor Authority or a reviewing court.
The SLA does not have the power to “padlock” or close down an establishment. SLA
jurisdiction is limited to the licensees’ ability to serve alcohol (i.e. an establishment may remain
open during a suspension or after having a license revoked, provided they no longer serve or give
away alcohol).
Most Common New York State Liquor Authority Violations
The following list, while not all inclusive, will help to familiarize you with the most common violations of
the ABC Law:
1. Sale to Minor (under 21 years old) - Section 65.1. (It is important to note that the Members of the
Authority have directed that any sale to a person under 16 can result in revocation of the license, even
for a first offense.)
2. Sale to Intoxicated Person - Section 65.2.
3. Prohibited Hours of Sale - Sections 105.(a), 105.14 and 106.5.
4. Prohibited Hours of Consumption – Section 106.5.
5. Employment of a Minor - Section 100.2(a).
6. Disorderly Premises (includes Gambling at on premises establishments, Lewd and Indecent conduct,
Assaults, Narcotics at on premises establishments, Prostitution) - Section 106.6.
7. Gambling at establishments.
8. Narcotics at establishments.