What sort of alcohol and bartending licenses do I need?

Every state is free is to set its own requirements for alcohol or liquor licenses, as well as the requirements to work as a bartender. Therefore, you always need to look to state law, as you’re doing, to answer these questions.

In New Jersey, the commercial sale of alcohol is regulated by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”)[http://www.state.nj.us/oag/abc/licensing.html]. ABC provides liquor licenses, but only a strictly limited number, based on town or city population (1 license per 3,000 people for bars and restaurants to serve alcohol). At this point, it’s safe to assume that all available licenses have been purchased by someone and that you’re going to have to buy an alcohol license from someone who already has one, probably for a very large amount of money. (It never hurts to call ABC first to see whether they have any licenses available, but don’t count on it.) You may very likely find that it’s better to buy an existing bar, so you also get the furnishings and clientele, rather than to just buy the license and otherwise start from scratch.

Unlike some other states, no bartending license is required in New Jersey. There are a very few limitations on who can tend bar, based mostly on age, but other than that, the only big hurdle is the alcohol or liquor license itself.

Good luck.