Are there any qualifications for being granted a retail liquor license?

Yes. There are qualifications for a liquor license. These qualifications are set by the law. The type and number of qualifications for a liquor license depend on who the party is that is applying for the liquor license (i.e. where the party is an individual, a partnership, or a corporation) and what type of liquor license is being sought.

A. "Pouring Licenses under Section 12:

Generally, an individual applying for a "pouring license" under Section 12 (e.g. a liquor license for a restaurant, bar, nightclub, hotel, or tavern) must be a citizen of the United States and 21 years of age or older. A partnership (where two or more people are doing business together) may hold such a liquor license where each partner is a citizen of the United States and 21 years of age or older.

A corporation may hold such a liquor license provided that a majority of the directors are not aliens and that the corporate licensee appoints a license manager who is an individual, 21 years of age or older, who is a citizen of the United States and has "vested in him (or her) by properly authorized and executed written delegation as full authority and control of the premises, described in the license of such corporation, and the conduct of all business therein relative to alcoholic beverages as the (corporate) licensee itself could in any way have and exercise if it were a "natural person". This license manager must be satisfactory to both the local and state licensing authorities with respect to his or her character.

No "pouring" license shall be issued to any applicant who has been convicted of a violation of a federal or state narcotic drugs law. There is no limit after which this disqualification ends.

B. "Package Store" License Under Section 15 (This section intentionally omitted).

C. "Special License under Section 14

A "Special License" to pour liquor at an indoor or outdoor activity or enterprises may be issued to the responsible manager of any indoor or outdoor activity or enterprise. Such license is issued by the local licensing authority in the city or town in which the activity or enterprise will be conducted. This type of license may be issued only to a natural person, although this natural person may be a person acting on behalf of a corporation, partnership, or other entity. No person may be granted such licenses permitting sales on an aggregate of more than 30 days in any calendar year. No special license, with only one very limited exception (i.e. a special license for a dining hall maintained by an incorporated educational institution authorized to grant degrees) shall permit sales on more than 30 days.

  • Special Licenses for All Alcoholic Beverages Special licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, wine or malt beverages, or any of these beverages may be issued by the local licensing authority only to a person acting on behalf of a non-profit organization. No other person may be issued a license to sell all alcoholic beverages.
  • Special License for Wine and/or Malt Beverages, or Both. Special licenses for the sale of wine, malt beverages, or both, may be issued by the local licensing authority to any person. This type of special license may be issued to a person who is conducting an activity or enterprise for profit. No special license under Section 14 shall be granted to any person while his or her application for an annual license under Section 12 is pending before the licensing authorities. 

Show All Answers

1. What is a license?
2. Does the ABCC issue licenses directly to any segments of the alcoholic beverages industry?
3. Who issues restaurant licenses and package store licenses?
4. How many classifications of retail licenses exist?
5. What are the four categories of retail liquor licenses?
6. How many different types of pouring licenses are there?
7. Are there any qualifications for being granted a retail liquor license?
8. Are license applicants barred from holding a liquor license if they have been convicted of a crime?
9. What is the quota system and on what is it based?
10. How far does an establishment selling alcoholic beverages have to be from a church or school?
11. How long does a licensee have to appeal to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) a decision made by the local licensing authority?
12. What are the most common reasons for license applications being denied or returned without action?
13. How long does a licensee have to appeal a decision made by the ABCC?