22 January 2021
 Categories: , Blog

There are many things you must do as a restaurant or bar owner in preparation for your first day of business. One of the most important tasks is to obtain a liquor license if you plan to include alcohol on your menu. If you're ready to get a liquor license for your restaurant or bar, then you probably know that the next step is the application. Since selling alcohol in your establishment is a great way to increase the revenue of your business and offer more options for your customers, it's essential to fill out the application properly to avoid any unnecessary delays in the process. These tips will help ease the stress of completing the application and ensure that you receive your liquor license before your opening day.

1) Don't wait until the last minute to fill out the application

The processing of your liquor license application is neither quick nor immediate. In fact, it could be six months or longer before your application is fully approved. During this time, your state's Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board will verify that all of the information on your application is correct. For this reason, you cannot procrastinate in submitting your application, especially if you want to have everything in place when you open your doors to customers. Another reason to complete the application as soon as possible is that some cities and towns only grant a certain number of liquor licenses. Once the designated licenses are taken, you could wait a long time until new licenses are available. If this is the case where you live, then you'll need to keep this in mind when starting your application. Ultimately, you should begin the application process well in advance of when you actually need it. 

2) Be sure that the information on your application is accurate and complete

An application with erroneous information could suffer major processing delays or be denied altogether. That is why it's so crucial for you to check over every line of the application and fix mistakes before submission. Confirm that you haven't inadvertently skipped over any questions. Additionally, gather all of the necessary documents that you'll need to support your application. Some of the items include your business license, a health permit, the floor plan of your building, a local zoning permit, and your employer identification number (EIN). Be sure to verify with your state's ABC Board exactly what you will need to provide. If you fail to submit the required permits or forms, you may have a difficult time getting your application approved.

3) Find out which type of liquor license you will need in your particular state

Generally, the license you should apply for will be based upon your specific business. For example, if you plan to sell both beer and hard liquor, you'll likely need a restaurant license. This license carries no limits on the type of alcohol you can offer to customers, but your total alcohol sales cannot exceed a pre-determined percentage of your overall earnings. On the other hand, if you own a bar and your primary revenue will come from alcohol sales, then you should apply for a tavern license instead. Since every state has different rules about what license type is required, you must reach out to the ABC Board for your area to get precise details.

Obtaining your liquor license can be a great boost to your restaurant or bar. The tips above will help you prepare for the application and get everything you need ready to go before you begin the process.

To learn more about liquor licenses, look at this.