| 1. Make sure you do not fall under any of the | | | | applicant submit a penal bond, photographs of the |
| statutory disqualifications to holding an alcoholic | | | | interior and exterior of the premises to be licensed, |
| beverage retail license ("liquor license") under Alcoholic | | | | personal questionnaires, proof of citizenship and |
| Beverage Control Law - e.g. you are over 21, a U.S. | | | | photo identification of all principals, a contract of sale |
| citizen or permanent resident, and you have never | | | | or conveyance, your lease agreement, various |
| been convicted of any felony, etc. | | | | diagrams, copies of bank statements and loan |
| 2. Determine which alcoholic beverage license class | | | | agreements, your certificate to authority to collect |
| you seek. For example, bodegas and grocery stores | | | | sales tax, your Federal Tax ID Number, and Filing |
| need a Grocery Store Beer or Beer/Wine License. | | | | Receipts for your Corporation or LLC. |
| Bars, pubs, and taverns require a New York | | | | 6. Assuming the NYSLA receives all the required |
| On-Premise Liquor License to serve beer, wine and | | | | information and documentation, all materials are |
| liquor. | | | | complete and accurate, and there is no other reason |
| 3. Consult with a qualified liquor license attorney about | | | | to reject your application, the NYSLA should issue |
| whether your establishment complies with both the | | | | your license within six months. If your application is |
| 200 and the 500 Foot Rule. | | | | incomplete or missing information, expect an |
| 4. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law requires that | | | | additional delay of anywhere from one to six more |
| anyone applying for an On-Premises License notify | | | | months. |
| their community board of their intention to apply for | | | | 7. Fortunately, in September of 2009, the NYSLA |
| a liquor license 30 days before filing an application | | | | approved the implementation of the Attorney |
| with the State Liquor Authority. Proof of the 30 day | | | | Self-Certification Program resulting in approvals in just |
| notice must be submitted with the application. The | | | | two weeks. This program allows attorneys filing |
| community board may request such items as your | | | | applications on behalf of applicants to certify that |
| proposed menu, business plan, and may submit an | | | | statements and documents provided in an application |
| opinion, either in favor of or against granting the | | | | are true and accurate and that the application meets |
| license. That opinion will become part of the record | | | | all statutory requirements. The program has allowed |
| used by the New York State Liquor Authority | | | | for a more timely review of applications as the |
| ("NYSLA") in deciding whether to approve the | | | | agency will rely on the information certified by the |
| application. | | | | Attorney, eliminating the need to review each |
| 5. Once the thirty day Community Board period has | | | | document submitted. In the interest of full disclosure, |
| elapsed, you may proceed to file your New York | | | | I am a liquor license attorney and highly recommend |
| liquor license application with the NYSLA. The | | | | retaining a knowledgeable attorney to prepare your |
| application itself is 20+ pages and requires detailed | | | | application so that your establishment can be up and |
| disclosures concerning the establishment and its | | | | running in a mere two weeks time. |
| finances. The application also requires that the | | | | |