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FROM THE DEFENSE DESK / LIQUOR LICENSE DEFENSE
5 AUG 2026 · UPDATED 20 AUG 2026 · 2 MIN READ · BY TODD A. SPODEK
THE BRIEF · FILED UNDER: LIQUOR LICENSE DEFENSE
DOCKET NO. 010 · THE DEFENSE DESK

New York / NYC Liquor License Violations Lawyers.

Facing liquor license violations in New York? Our NYC attorneys help restaurants, bars, and businesses defend against alcohol license suspensions, revocations, fines, and violations. Learn how experienced lawyers can protect your liquor license, resolve regulatory issues, and keep your business legally serving alcohol in New York City.

Todd A. Spodek
Todd A. Spodek
MANAGING PARTNER · 5 AUG 2026 · 2 MIN READ
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SUPER LAWYERS · 2020-25AVVO · “SUPERB”SECOND GENERATION · SINCE 1976
AS SEEN ON NETFLIX · CNN · FOX NEWS · NY POST

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.

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

LEGAL INFORMATION, NOT LEGAL ADVICE · STATUTES CHANGE - VERIFY CURRENT LAW · ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
THE AUTHOR'S RECORD · PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME
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$26M MONEY LAUNDERING
Dismissed.
RICO · 10-YEAR MINIMUM FACED
Six months.
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