...often copied, never duplicatedObtaing A Liquor License
A frequent question I get is "what does it take obtaining a liquor license" when starting a bar, nightclub, or restaurant? This is a loaded question. The answer quite simply is, it depends. Buying a license is a procedure that varies from State to State. They are all different. Why is obtaining a liquor license different in every State? Quite frankly, it is a little antiquated in this day and age. But the reason is this. Every State has what they perceive their own morals and idea of how they perceive alcohol consumption. Yes, I know it may sound a little corny, but it's true. You will find some States that are wide open and believe in "free enterprise" and have no restrictions. Their idea is may the strong survive. And there are States that believe consuming alcohol is bad and they don't want their State filled with bars. So they put restrictions on obtaining a liquor license. They will tell you that in order to have a liquor license in our State, you must own a restaurant and sell at least 40% of your sales volume in food, or they will shut you down. They do not want bars in their State, just restaurants. In addition, once obtaining a liquor license, you are limited to where you can use it in many cases. So you better know if it's allowed to go where you want it to before you buy. Not only can the State Liquor Laws determine where the license can be used, but your local codes will also determine that. So, what you need to do is read the information provided by the State, and then go to your local Zoning Office. Once you get this information, you will be able to determine what locations are available to operate a licensed establishment. The best thing I can do to give you information about obtaining a liquor license is to provide you the link below so you can look into the laws of your individual State.
United States-State Authorities:
Alabama ABC Board www.abcboard.state.al.us Alaska ABC Board www.dps.state.ak.us/abc Arizona Department of Liquor LicensesandControl www.azliquor.gov Arkansas ABC Division www.arkansas.gov/dfa/abc_administration /abcadm_index.html
California Department of ABC www.abc.ca.gov/ Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division www.revenue.state.co.us/liquor_dir/home.asp Connecticut Liquor Division www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1623&q=273660&dcpNav_GID=1542 Delaware ABC www.state.de.us/research/AdminCode/title4/regulations-33.shtml Florida Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco www.myflorida.com/dbpr/abt/resources/index_alcohol.shtml Georgia Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Unit Hawaii Office of Liquor Control Idaho ABC and Idaho Liquor Dispensary www.liquor.idaho.gov/ Illinois Liquor Control Commission Indiana Alcoholic and Tobacco Commission Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Kansas Division of ABC Kentucky Office of ABC Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement Maryland Alcohol Tobacco Tax Bureau Massachusetts ABC Commission Michigan Liquor Control Commission Minnesota Liquor Control Division Mississippi Office of ABC Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Montana Liquor Licensing Nebraska Liquor Control Commission Nevada Department of Taxation New Hampshire Liquor Commission New Jersey Division of ABC New Mexico Alcohol and Gaming Division New York Division of ABC, State Liquor Authority North Carolina ABC Commission North Dakota ABC Ohio Division of Liquor Control Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission Oregon Liquor Control Commission Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Rhode Island Liquor Control Administration South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Licensing South Dakota Special Tax Division Tennessee Department of Revenue Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Utah Department of ABC Vermont Department of Liquor Control Virginia Department of ABC Washington Liquor Control Board Washington D.C. ABC Board West Virginia ABC Administration Wisconsin Department of Tax and Revenue Wyoming Department of Revenue
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