Restaurant Opening Checklist — New York
Every legal step a New York restaurant operator needs to complete before service begins — licensing, permits, leases, and corporate structure.
Entity, operating agreement, and capitalization.
Lease, CO, build-out approvals, and inspections.
SLA, DOHMH, FDNY, and DOB sign-offs.
Phase 1: Pre-Lease
Concept clarity. Entity formation. Pre-lease location and lease review. SLA eligibility screen.
Phase 2: Lease and Buildout
Executed lease. Build-out and TI. CO updates. Vendor contracts.
Phase 3: Licensing and Permits
SLA filing. Community Board. Health and FDNY. POS and merchant processing.
Phase 4: Opening
Temporary permit if eligible. Staff training. Soft open. Permanent license.
Frequently asked questions
Sequencing matters — we map it to your opening date.
Pre-lease location review.
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.