Getting an Alcohol Permit

It goes by many names—alcohol serving permit, liquor license, alcohol handler’s permit—but by any name, it’s the right to serve alcohol commercially. As such, it’s THE critical license for anyone intending to open a liquor store, bar, or a restaurant that would serve alcoholic beverages.

Getting an Alcohol Permit

“Where” is ultimately from your state. There are licenses and permits that the federal government gets involved in—for example, licenses for broadcasters are regulated by the FCC—but liquor licenses are regulated entirely by each individual state. The reason we say “ultimately” is that while liquor licenses are given by the state, unlike other licenses—such as driving or dog licenses—there is often an upper limit on how many liquor licenses are available. (It’s typically a population-based limit: so many licenses per X thousand people.) When that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a license from someone already holding one.

To get a license from the state, you simply need to comply with whatever rules and requirements it’s put out and also pay the licensing fee. To get one from a private person, you’ll need to comply with state requirements and negotiate the terms of sale.

Liquor License Requirement

Usually, the state will require that a business be properly registered and in good standing to receive a liquor license. You’ll also need to comply with whatever other rules the state has put out concerning the service of alcohol.

For example:

• there’s obviously a minimum age for any employees who will work in a facility serving liquor;
• there may be a separate minimum for the employees who actually serve it;
• and some states require that bartenders also be licensed.

Alcohol License Registration Legal Help

Remember: alcohol permits are state-by-state. That means that there is no general rule to comply with, and anything you may know from another state is irrelevant. You need an experience alcohol license attorney who knows the nitty-gritty rules of the state you’re in to make sure you meet all the requirements. Also, if you’re in location where there are no more licenses to be had and you need to purchase one from an existing holder, it’s a good idea to have an experienced negotiator help you close the best deal possible on this valuable—and potentially very expensive—asset.