If you are opening a bar or a restaurant, you will need to get a beer or liquor license. Beer or liquor licenses are required for any business start-up that will serve or sell alcohol. If you do not get the appropriate permits, you are breaking the law and your business establishment can be shut down. You will also be asked to pay a hefty fine.
Getting a beer and liquor license is not really hard. Just follow the instructions below — clear and simple, like all other o5.com’s recipes for life.
What kind of license do you need?
Before applying for a license make sure you are applying for the correct one. There are different license classifications. For example, a typical beer and wine liquor license will exclude hard liquor or spirits. A restaurant liquor license, on the other hand, will cover anything alcoholic. If your establishment revolves mostly around drinks (with some token appetizers or finger foods) you may need to get a tavern liquor license. If you will brew your own beer or wine, you have to get a brewpub liquor license.
You may also need to get two separate licenses, given by the state and your city. Each state has its own laws (for example, you can check here for Arizona, Maine and Washington). Check the official website for your state: it will list the laws, plus pertinent information on taxes, forms, and other things.
Where can you get a beer and liquor license?
The license given by the Division of Alcohol and Beverage Control is the one that is for the state. In order to get a beer and liquor license from your state you will have to go to your county. You can go to your local sheriff’s department to get all of the application forms.
What are the requirements for a beer and liquor license?
It should be noted that approval is not given outright; in fact, the process can take as long as a year. The authorities will do a background check on your and the business before it gives an approval for your application for a beer and liquor license. If you’ve had any previous criminal record or misdemeanor, you may have to submit a plea and explanation to the town council explaining the incident and your current “good character.”
You will also need to pay fees for the beer and liquor license, which you need to incorporate into your business plan. You also need to become familiar with your state’s laws on alcohol, which includes the hours that liquor can be served, the containers in which you need to serve it, how much can be served at a time, and the costs.
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