New York Liquor License Attorneys
We represent restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, and liquor stores across New York State — from the first eligibility review through SLA approval and ongoing compliance.
End-to-end preparation, filing, and follow-through with the New York State Liquor Authority.
Presentations and method-of-operation negotiation for boards across all five boroughs and Long Island.
Responses to SLA charges, conditional licenses, and disciplinary hearings.
Statewide liquor licensing representation
New York's liquor licensing process is among the most complex in the country. Each license class has its own application package, fee schedule, and review pathway — and the rules vary meaningfully between New York City and the rest of the State.
We work with operators in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York. Our practice is built around the cadence hospitality businesses actually run on: lease deadlines, build-out timelines, and opening dates that cannot slip.
What we handle
On-premises licenses for restaurants, bars, lounges, taverns, and clubs. Off-premises licenses for liquor stores and wine shops. Hotel, catering, and brewery / winery licensure. Temporary permits, alterations, corporate change filings, and license transfers in connection with sales of businesses.
When to bring us in
Before you sign a lease is ideal. Many problems — 200-foot disqualifications, 500-foot exposure, certificate of occupancy issues, restrictive lease language — can be solved cheaply at the LOI stage and become expensive or impossible later.
Frequently asked questions
A temporary permit typically issues in 8–10 weeks. A permanent on-premises license usually takes 24–34 weeks depending on license type and whether a 500-foot or Community Board hearing is required.
Yes. We represent clients across New York State, including Long Island, Westchester, and Upstate, and we appear before all relevant Community Boards and SLA zone offices.
Yes. Pre-lease review is one of the highest-value steps in the entire process. We focus on use clauses, build-out contingencies, licensing contingencies, and proximity issues.
Ready to move your liquor license forward?
Before you sign a lease, invest in buildout, or appear before a Community Board, speak with an attorney who understands New York's liquor licensing process.