Criminal Defense Lawyers

New York / NYC Lawyers For Buying a Retail Liquor License

The main obstacle in the establishment or operation of any bar, restaurant or alcohol retail store is the ability to obtain a liquor license. This is a document that allows a business to legally sell alcohol within its desired municipality. The procedures related to the issuance of a new liquor license or transfer of an existing liquor license are extremely document-intensive and time-sensitive. This is where liquor license lawyers come in.

Why you Need a Lawyer when Buying a Retail Liquor License

Liquor licensing laws are very complex and rigid. If you don’t fully understand the terms of your specific liquor license, you might unintentionally breach one of them. This makes it imperative for you to hire an attorney who has extensive experience in all aspects of alcohol beverage law, including liquor license laws and regulatory compliance. Such lawyers help with the following:

• Advice on nightclub, bar, catering and liquor licensing law
• Obtaining or transferring liquor licenses
• Advice on managing offences under the liquor act
• Advice on handling all the risks involved in being a liquor license holder

In addition to the above, liquor license lawyers are continually conversant with the latest and ongoing changes of alcohol industry legislation. They provide their clients with resources, guidance and expertise needed to navigate all levels and tiers of the liquor licensing industry.

Types of Liquor Licenses a Lawyer Can Help You Obtain

One invaluable piece of advice your liquor license attorney will offer you is in regard to the most ideal type of liquor license for you to buy. Liquor licenses are divided into two categories – On-Premise Retail Licenses and Off-Premises Retail Licenses. The following are the main types of retail liquor licenses:

• Tavern License: A type of on-premise liquor license given to businesses whose primary source of revenue comes from the sale of liquor.
• Incidental Activity License: A type of on-premise liquor license that’s usually given to businesses that sell liquor but whose primary source of revenue isn’t from the sale of liquor. It’s appropriate for hotels, restaurants, bowling alleys, banquet halls, etc.
• Packaged Goods License: A type of off-premise liquor license is given to establishments that sell liquor in its original manufacturer packaging to be consumed off premise. It’s ideal for businesses such as convenience stores, grocery stores, party stores and drug stores, etc.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

• Club License: Issued to nonprofit corporations that are incorporated exclusively for the promotion of a purpose that’s not related to alcohol consumption.
• Caterer’s License: Given to restaurants and caterers who serve alcohol and food off premises.

• Brewpub License: Given to a business that brews its own beer and sells it to customers. It’s mostly given to wineries and breweries.

While the processes of obtaining these liquor licenses may seem easy and clear-cut, there are many nuances of each of them. After developing your business plan, it’s imperative that you meet with a liquor license attorney to confer about the best approach for obtaining the most ideal license for your business.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Retail Liquor License

Besides guiding you in the process of obtaining the most appropriate liquor license for your business, your liquor license lawyer will also help you to evaluate all the factors that will affect the cost of buying your retail liquor license. These factors include:

• The kind of business you want to establish, i.e. hotel, restaurant, bar, convenience store, etc.
• Whether consumption of liquor will happen on-premises or off-premises
• Type of liquor you intend to sell. Different types of alcohol require different types of licenses.
• What hours you intend to sell. The later your business stays open, the more expensive the license.
• Do you intend to manufacture, distribute, or sell liquor, or any combination of the three?

Conclusion

Buying a retail liquor license is an in-depth ongoing process, and it is rare that you’ll get your license after sending in your first application. If you decide to obtain the license on your own, be sure that there will be multiple correspondences back and forth asking for various relevant documents and verifying various details. Having an experienced liquor license lawyer can help speed up the process and minimize the costs.