Restaurant Lease Attorney — New York
Restaurant leases require specific protections most form leases do not include. We negotiate them for new and experienced operators across New York.
Kitchen exhaust, grease, hours, and licensing protections.
Certificate of occupancy and venting representations.
Rights to exit if licensing fails through no fault of yours.
Why restaurant leases are different
Kitchen venting, grease, hours, deliveries, and outdoor use are issues no generic retail lease addresses well. We negotiate the specifics.
The licensing contingency
A workable restaurant lease lets you exit if the SLA license is denied for reasons you did not cause. This is negotiated; landlords resist it; experienced operators insist on it.
Build-out and TI
Restaurant build-outs are expensive. Build-out timing, TI funding, and rent commencement language directly determine whether the deal works.
Frequently asked questions
Most landlords will accept a limited contingency. We negotiate the right scope.
Yes — and you should.
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.