“Walked us through a complicated liquor license transfer for our Brooklyn restaurant. Filed quickly, prepped us for the Community Board, and we opened on schedule.”
Daniel R.Liquor License TransferGoogle
Liquor License NYC
Get Your New York Liquor License Without Costly Delays
Experienced New York liquor license attorneys helping NYC businesses navigate the State Liquor Authority from location review through final approval.
- Manhattan · Brooklyn · Queens · Bronx · Staten Island
- All NYC Community Boards
- 200-Foot & 500-Foot Rule analysis
- 24-hour location eligibility review
- Zoning & Certificate of Occupancy review
- Full SLA representation
Client reviews
Trusted By New York Business Owners
Restaurants, bars, liquor stores, and hospitality operators rely on The James Firm for liquor licensing guidance.
5.0 average · 6 reviews · Source: Google
“We caught a 200-foot issue before signing our lease thanks to their location review. Saved us from a deal that would have collapsed at the SLA.”
Jessica M.Location Eligibility ReviewGoogle
“Represented our Manhattan bar at a 500-Foot Hearing. Clear strategy, well-prepared exhibits, and we got the approval. Highly recommend.”
Marco P.500-Foot HearingGoogle
“Helped us open our Long Island wine shop start to finish — entity formation, lease review, and the SLA application. Responsive every step of the way.”
Priya S.Liquor Store LicensingGoogle
“We had an SLA violation that could have shut us down. They negotiated a sensible resolution and kept us open. Genuinely grateful.”
Alex T.SLA DefenseGoogle
“Professional, thorough, and knew every Community Board in Queens. Our application was approved on the first pass.”
Karen H.Community Board RepresentationGoogle
NYC-specific rules
The four rules that decide NYC applications
Most NYC delays trace back to one of these four issues. Address them before you file and the timeline shortens dramatically.
The 200-Foot Rule
On-premises full liquor licenses cannot issue if the entrance is within 200 feet of a school or place of worship along the same street. Beer & Wine and Wine-only licenses are not subject to the 200-Foot Rule. Measurement is entrance-to-entrance along the same public thoroughfare — a common source of confusion for applicants relying on a straight-line map.
The 500-Foot Rule
Where three or more on-premises full liquor licenses already exist within 500 feet in a city of one million or more, the SLA must hold a public-interest hearing before issuing a new license. In much of Manhattan, Williamsburg, and central Brooklyn, this is triggered on the majority of new applications.
Certificate of Occupancy
The C of O must authorize the intended use — typically Eating & Drinking (UG6) or PA (place of assembly) with adequate occupancy load. A stale, missing, or mismatched C of O is one of the most frequent SLA deficiencies in NYC.
Community Board 30-Day Notice
Every on-premises applicant in NYC must serve a 30-day notice on the local Community Board and appear before the SLA committee. Boards issue advisory recommendations that the SLA weighs heavily, especially in 500-Foot cases.
Free NYC location review · 24-hour turnaround
Check 200-Foot, 500-Foot, and C of O before you sign the lease.
Neighborhood-specific licensing
What to expect in each borough
Manhattan
Dense license clusters trigger 500-Foot Hearings on most on-premises full liquor applications south of 96th Street. CB2, CB3, and CB5 have the strictest stipulation practices.
Brooklyn
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, and Park Slope boards each have distinct hours and method-of-operation expectations. Landmark and downzoned areas add C of O complexity.
Queens
Astoria, LIC, and Flushing have active licensing markets. Community boards vary in formality, but the SLA Manhattan zone office handles all Queens filings.
The Bronx
Fewer contested hearings but strict C of O and use-clause review. Community Boards prefer early outreach and clear operational plans.
Staten Island
Lower density and fewer 500-Foot triggers, but zoning and parking issues are more common. Community Board process moves quickly with proper preparation.
NYC vs Long Island
Two very different processes
NYC
Community Board notice required. Higher 500-Foot exposure. DOB and FDNY overlap on C of O. Manhattan zone office.
Long Island
No Community Board process. Town-level zoning and building department drives compliance. Zone I (Uniondale) office handles filings.
NYC timeline
From lease signing to license in hand
24 Hours
Step 1
Location Review
200-Foot, 500-Foot, zoning, and C of O check.
30–45 Days
Step 2
Community Board Notice
Serve the 30-day notice, prepare exhibits, appear before the committee.
Week 6–8
Step 3
SLA Filing
Full application package filed with the appropriate SLA zone office.
Week 12–20
Step 4
500-Foot Hearing
Public-interest hearing before the Members of the Authority, where required.
24–34 Weeks
Step 5
Approval
License issuance and proper posting on premises.
Related NYC liquor licensing services
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a liquor license in NYC?
A temporary permit typically issues in 8–10 weeks. A permanent on-premises license generally takes 24–34 weeks in NYC, longer where a 500-Foot Hearing is required. Beer & Wine and Wine-only licenses tend to move faster because they avoid the 500-Foot Rule.
How much does a NYC liquor license cost?
State filing fees vary by license class (Beer & Wine is lower; on-premises full liquor is higher) and by zone. NYC-zoned filings pay the highest state fees. Legal, architectural (diagrams), and Community Board expenses are separate. We provide a written scope and flat fee before engagement.
Do all five boroughs require Community Board review?
Yes. Every on-premises applicant in NYC must serve a 30-day notice on the local Community Board and appear before the SLA committee. The board's recommendation is advisory but carries weight, especially in 500-Foot cases.
How is NYC licensing different from Long Island?
NYC applications go through Community Boards, face higher 500-Foot exposure, and interact heavily with DOB and FDNY on C of O issues. Long Island has no Community Board process — town zoning and building departments drive compliance instead.
Can I get a temporary permit while I wait?
Yes, in most transfer situations. A temporary retail permit lets an acquired business continue operating while the buyer's permanent license is pending. Temporary permits for de novo openings are more limited.
What is the most common reason NYC applications get delayed?
Certificate of Occupancy issues, followed by ownership disclosure gaps and Community Board deferrals. All three are preventable with pre-filing attorney review.
Do you handle applications in Staten Island and the Bronx?
Yes. We represent applicants in every borough, before every Community Board, and at both SLA zone offices that handle NYC-zoned filings.
Can I sign a lease before checking the 200-Foot Rule?
You can, but you shouldn't. A pre-lease 200-Foot and 500-Foot analysis takes 24 hours and can save you from a fatal problem you cannot undo once the lease is signed.
Talk to an NYC liquor license attorney today
200-Foot, 500-Foot, and C of O reviewed in 24 hours. Full Community Board and SLA representation.