New York / NYC Liquor License Violations Lawyers

There is one very good reason that restaurants should apply for liquor licenses IF they aren’t a 100% family friendly business, and that reason is money. The revenue that streams from liquor sales is as powerful as some of the whisky that bartenders pass across the table at your favorite establishments. A lot is at stake when you apply for a liquor license. As the article there points out, there are some businesses who make the majority of their annual sales from alcohol. It can mean big business, even to small businesses.

The legal requirements for obtaining a liquor license can sometimes be intimidating to business owners. And it’s true. There ARE a lot of rules to follow and a host of violations. With a good lawyer on your side to help you decipher the laws, though, you’re in good hands and stand to grow your business many more times than where it’s at right now.

Understanding Liquor Violations

If you want to sell alcoholic beverages, you must obtain a liquor license. This license is issued to businesses that apply and follow all of the laws that the license sets forth. Many types of businesses can gain something from a liquor license, including restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores, to name just a few business types. If someone violates a liquor license‘s stipulations, they may have their license revoked. Just like when you have a driver’s license revoked, you lose your privileges. Since it can be costly to hire someone to fill out your papers and obtain your license for you, it’s also important that you maintain the terms of your license after you obtain it.

How Violations Affect You

When you get that license, your business is going to have an opportunity to grow quickly, but none of it will matter if you don’t follow the rules of alcohol sales. At the heart of the matter is a large list of “don’t” rules that prevent you from doing certain things if you sale alcoholic beverages. Let’s go over those.

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Legal Scenario: What Would You Do?

Scenario

Your popular Manhattan restaurant just received a notice from the New York State Liquor Authority alleging that your bartender served alcohol to a minor during a weekend rush, and they're threatening to revoke your liquor license. You've invested over $200,000 in building out your bar program and wine list, and losing your license would devastate your business.

Can the SLA actually revoke my liquor license over a single incident, and what can I do to fight this?

Attorney's Answer

The New York State Liquor Authority has broad enforcement power under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, but a single violation does not automatically result in revocation — the SLA typically considers factors like your compliance history, the severity of the violation, and any corrective measures you've taken. Under ABC Law Section 17, you have the right to a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge where we can present evidence such as your staff training records, ID-checking policies, and overall track record of compliance. In many cases, we can negotiate the penalty down to a fine or a short suspension rather than full revocation, particularly for first-time offenders who demonstrate good faith efforts at compliance. Time is critical in these matters, so we need to file your response promptly and begin preparing your defense before the hearing date is set.

This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.

If you have a liquor license, DON’T…

1. Sell alcoholic drinks to someone who is already intoxicated
2. Sell alcohol past your hours of operation
3. Violate the terms of your license
4. Skip filing your annual reports and keeping good, accurate records
5. Sell alcohol to minors
6. Violate advertising violations
7. Transfer your license in a way that’s in violation of the agreement