Frequently asked questions about New York liquor licensing.

For most full on-premises applications in New York City, expect 4–6 months from filing to issuance once the application package is complete. Matters that trigger a 500-Foot Hearing typically add 4–8 weeks. Beer-and-wine applications often move faster.

Under ABC Law §64(7), the State Liquor Authority cannot issue a new full on-premises liquor license to a location within 500 feet of three or more existing full on-premises licensed premises unless, after a public hearing, the SLA finds the new license serves the public interest. This is a hearing trigger, not an absolute bar.

ABC Law §64(7) also prohibits a full on-premises liquor license within 200 feet of a school, place of worship, or certain similar uses, measured by the standard SLA method. Unlike the 500-Foot Rule, the 200-Foot Rule is an absolute bar — there is no hearing pathway around it.

Most New York City applications require Community Board notice, and most boards schedule an SLA-committee appearance. The board's recommendation is advisory but carries real weight with the SLA, especially in Manhattan.

Often yes. A temporary retail permit, available in defined circumstances, can allow lawful operation while the full license application is pending. Eligibility depends on the application type and SLA processing posture.

State filing fees vary by license class and county; for a typical full on-premises license in New York City the SLA filing fees are in the low thousands. Total cost — including legal fees, fingerprinting, publication, and any 500-Foot Hearing materials — depends on the specific matter.

Most new license applications and transfers are handled on a flat fee, quoted after the initial review so you know the cost before engaging. Defense and litigation matters are typically hourly given the variability of the work.

Location and zoning review, full application preparation, lease and corporate document review, Community Board appearance, SLA submission, and response to any standard deficiencies. Public-interest hearings, alterations, and corporate changes are scoped separately.

Yes. Most location reviews are completed within 24 hours. We evaluate the 200-Foot Rule, 500-Foot Rule, zoning, certificate of occupancy, and SLA history at the premises — and tell you whether the location is viable, conditionally viable, or one to walk from.

When the location carries any meaningful SLA risk, yes. A properly drafted contingency lets the tenant exit or restructure if the license is denied, and avoids years of rent obligation on a premises that cannot operate as planned.

Prior violations, suspensions, or revocations at the premises do not disqualify the location, but they do change how the application is positioned. We pull the SLA history as part of the location review.

Licenses themselves are not directly transferable, but the buyer files a new application coordinated with the seller and, in eligible matters, can obtain a temporary retail permit to operate continuously between closing and final approval.

An asset purchase brings a new licensee onto the premises and requires a new license. A stock or membership interest purchase keeps the existing licensee in place and is filed as a corporate change. Each has different timing, tax, and liability consequences.

Most asset-purchase transfers close in 10–16 weeks. Continuous operation during that window typically depends on a temporary retail permit and careful sequencing at closing.

Preserve surveillance footage and POS records immediately, notify involved staff, and retain counsel before filing an answer. Many charges look harder than they actually are once the underlying inspection file is obtained, and the first 10 days set the trajectory of the case.

Yes. Most SLA cases resolve through a conditional no-contest plea negotiated with the Authority's counsel — often reducing both the charges and the penalty. Hearings are appropriate when the evidence is weak, key facts are genuinely disputed, or the proposed penalty is disproportionate.

Penalties range from civil fines to license suspension, with revocation reserved for the most serious or repeat matters. The Authority's penalty guidelines, the licensee's history, and the specific counts sustained all influence the outcome.

Yes. Initial consultations are complimentary and can be booked online. We use that conversation to identify what's actually needed, give you a realistic timeline, and quote a flat fee where appropriate.

We represent operators across New York — all five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and Upstate — and are also admitted in New Jersey. Offices in Manhattan and Garden City.

Commercial leasing for hospitality, business transactions and corporate work, cannabis regulatory matters, and adjacent business law for the same client base.