Restaurant Liquor License · New York

Restaurant Liquor License Attorney In New York

Full liquor, restaurant wine, and beer-and-wine licensure for New York restaurants — built around opening dates, lease timing, and Community Board calendars.

Full Liquor Licenses

On-premises liquor (OP) licensure for full-service restaurants serving spirits, wine, and beer.

Beer And Wine

Beer-and-wine and restaurant wine licensure for food-forward concepts where spirits are not essential.

Community Board Hearings

Presentations and method of operation built for the specific district.

Choosing the right license for your restaurant

Most restaurant operators choose between full OP, restaurant wine, and beer-and-wine. The right call depends on concept, hours, kitchen, seating, and how much of your revenue actually comes from food. We make that call with you — not for you — and then build the application around it.

Full liquor licenses

A full on-premises liquor license lets you serve spirits, wine, and beer. It carries higher fees, more SLA scrutiny, and — in NYC — more involved Community Board engagement. For most full-service restaurants it is the right license.

Beer and wine licenses

Beer-and-wine and restaurant wine licenses are faster, cheaper, and lower-friction. For cafes, bakeries, neighborhood spots, and food-forward concepts they are often the better business decision.

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Community board hearings

NYC restaurant applications go through Community Board review. We prepare you, your method of operation, and your exhibits for the specific board, and we appear with you.

Restaurant openings

We build the licensing schedule around your opening: pre-lease review, full application timed to a workable Community Board cycle, temporary permit to open if you need one, and follow-through to permanent license.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I open my restaurant with a temporary permit?

Often yes. A temporary retail permit lets you open while the permanent license is pending, subject to eligibility and a clean Community Board record.

Which is faster — full liquor or beer-and-wine?

Beer-and-wine generally moves faster through the SLA and faces less Community Board friction. The right choice still depends on your concept, not just timing.

Do I need a lawyer if my landlord says the space is already approved?

Yes. A landlord representation is not a license, and not a Certificate of Occupancy. We verify the actual licensing posture of the space before you commit.

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.

NYC (212) 845-9909 · Nassau/Suffolk (516) 858-5887
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