How do you get your liquor license in New York State
You do not need a license from the city of New York to run a bar or a liquor store in order to start a business in the Big Apple, whether it be a dive bar or an upmarket Scotch store. The granting of liquor licenses is a responsibility of New York state (NYS). Your application for a liquor license to sell alcohol in the state of New York may be subject to review by the city or county governments in addition to the state.
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The New York State Liquor Authority is in charge of administering liquor licenses for the city of New York. To begin, you must determine which precise license you want out of the many available alternatives. The next step is to submit your application and payment online. The presumption is that you should receive your license unless there's a strong reason not to, in which case the presumption will be overturned.
Liquor license classifications
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
There are many different kinds of liquor licenses available in New York, and the one you need depends on the specifics of your business and the kinds of alcoholic beverages you wish to sell. The application process for a liquor license in the state of New York divides them into four basic categories:
On-premises licenses
This category includes restaurants, taverns, and bars that provide their customers with the option to purchase liquor by the glass for in-house consumption. The holder of the license is required by state law to also serve meals in addition to alcoholic beverages.
Off-premises licenses
.. This would include stores that sell bottles and cans for customers to take away and consume elsewhere. This is the category you should select if, for example, you were looking for a
liquor store license in NYC.
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
.
Wholesalers
They are permitted to sell liquor to licensed wholesalers and retailers in the state of New York.
Manufacturers
They produce alcoholic beverages and distribute their goods on a wholesale basis.
particular categories of licenses.
Each of the four broad categories can be further subdivided into a variety of specialized permits. An establishment such as a restaurant or bar, for instance, has the option of submitting an application for an on-premises license to sell only beer and cider, only beer and wine, or all types of alcoholic beverages. The licensee is not allowed to sell beer that has not been opened, and the drinks must be consumed on the premises.
The following are some examples of additional on-premises license options:
Hotel
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
Depending on the license or licenses that a hotel applies for, it may be able to sell alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, or liquor for consumption on the premises.
Ballpark Beer
It makes the sale of beer legal in ballparks as well as other stadiums and athletic businesses. The establishment is required to collect an admission fee.
Establishment Specializing in Catering
At private parties, a banquet hall that is available for rent may sell beer and wine.
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
Beer, wine, or liquor can be served at private clubs depending on the type of license that they have, but only to members and guests of the club.
Restaurant Brewer
It's possible for a restaurant to both brew and sell their own beer. A supplemental license gives the holder of the primary license the authority to sell beer to customers for in-home consumption.
Cabaret Liquor
A company that specializes in providing musical entertainment and has a capacity of at least 600 people is allowed to sell beer, wine, liquor, and cider, in addition to selling beer in its unopened state to go.
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
This gives the licensee the ability to employ a food provider who will work at the location. It is prohibited for the concessionaire to touch or offer alcoholic beverages.
Breakfast served in a bed and breakfast establishment
The licensee is allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to guests who are staying overnight.
Golf Club
Members and guests of a private golf club have access to any and all types of alcoholic beverages.
Chain Restaurant
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
A licensee is granted the ability to add a new location as a result of this.
Vessels
This opens the door for vessels that are employed for transportation, fishing, or sightseeing to sell beer or liquor, depending on the type of license that is selected. License requirements for airlines and railroad carriages are comparable.
The remaining four categories can also be broken down into lists of this nature. You will need to read through the list in order to choose the choice that is best suited for your company in order to obtain a license in New York City, whether it be for a restaurant or a liquor store.
Application for a liquor license in the state of New York
The process of applying for a license, regardless of which one you choose, is, for the most part, equivalent. For example, you desire a liquor store license in NYC. The first thing you need to do is select the type of license you want to apply for from a list that contains options such as grocery stores, drug stores, wine stores, liquor stores, and beer delivery stores.
The following criteria must be met before the state will even consider your application:
You're above 21. You are not involved in the wholesale trade, the manufacturing industry, or the import/export trade in any way. You are a citizen of the United States or are otherwise qualified to have a liquor license. You are need to give your fingerprints in order to complete the background check. You are required to present a receipt from the New York Secretary of State proving that you have filed the necessary paperwork to establish the firm if your enterprise is either a corporation or a limited liability company. You are required to produce a certificate of assumed name if you are operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership while utilizing a business name. To obtain this, you must submit an application to the county clerk in whichever of New York City's five boroughs your business is located.
Cost of obtaining a liquor license in New York City
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
At the time of this writing, the application fees typically cost $100 for beer or wine, while they are $200 for liquor. There are also certain speciality fees that may apply. The real cost of obtaining a liquor license in New York City is far more variable, depending on the kind of license and the location: The rest of the city, including Staten Island, which is located in Richmond County, is subject to a separate fee schedule than Staten Island.
Take, for instance:
The first and second sites of a pharmacy store or grocery store each pay $330 for a beer license, and each additional location costs $660.
A license to sell wine and beer starts at $594 and increases to $1,056 for each additional store after the second. A hotel beer license costs \$960. The price of a beer at the ballpark is $576. The cost of the bar's wine is $1,152. A license to sell alcoholic beverages costs $4,098 in New York City but only $2,562 in Staten Island. Depending on the number of rooms, the cost of a bed and breakfast ranges from $490 to $550 per night. A restaurant brewer costs $5,850, whereas one on Staten Island costs only $4,350.
Getting your documents in order
Along with your application for a license to operate a restaurant, tavern, or liquor shop in the City of New York, you will be required to submit the following fees and papers in addition to your application:
A bail amount of $1,000.00
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
Photos of the potential location of the business as well as the owners and key employees of the company.
ID cards with photographs for each of the principals.
A purchase agreement, lease, or deed pertaining to the property.
A graphical representation of the premises.
A pharmacy license certificate, in the event that you intend to start a drugstore.
In order for the license to be awarded, you will also be required to provide evidence that you have workers' compensation coverage as well as a photo of the location once it has been prepared for business.
Obtaining one's driver's license
Even though the list of necessities may appear to be overwhelming, the regulations of the state stipulate that you are entitled to a license unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. Take, for instance:
A statute that prohibits you from establishing your company in the site of your choice, for example because you are situated too close to a place of worship. You have a history of breaking the law with alcohol. You do not fulfill all of the conditions to become a licensee. The New York Liquor Authority has concerns regarding your ability to pay your bills, your level of experience, or your general suitability to hold a license. During the application procedure, the authorities discover that you have concealed facts, made false representations regarding material matters, or committed fraud.
Managing concerns specific to the area
How do you get your liquor license in New York State
Another potential obstacle awaits you if you intend to apply for a license that allows you to conduct business on the premises of your establishment: you are required to notify your local government 30 days before you submit your application. This provides the government with the opportunity to lodge a complaint if they do not approve of your application. The opposition of the community, on the other hand, is not a valid reason to reject your application provided that you are not in violation of any local zoning or other ordinances.
If there are some legal difficulties with your site, the local government may be able to work out a settlement that will allow you to continue operating in exchange for your acceptance of some conditions on your license. These terms and conditions might be incorporated into your license application by the Liquor Authority. If this is the case, the authorities have the ability to take disciplinary action against you if you do not comply with the conditions.
If a member of the public or an elected person in your borough believes that you are violating the laws governing liquor, they have the ability to lodge a complaint with the Liquor Authority through their website. By checking you up on the internet, they can also determine the current state of your license to sell alcoholic beverages. The online tool provided by the Liquor Authority enables searches to be conducted using a person's name, the name of a business, a location, or the license number.