Liquor License Transfers and Temporary Permits In NYC

Liquor licenses in NYC, technically, cannot be transferred from one party to another and it is illegal to allow another party to utilize a license that is not issued to them. However, the State Liquor Authority provides for a practical transfer of the liquor licenses through-out New York City. There is only one scenario in which an operator can “transfer” a liquor license In New York City and obtain a temporary permit to operate while the permanent license application is pending; the new owner must be purchasing the business from a seller that holds a liquor license or held a liquor license within the past 30 days at that location. The license must be or have been the same class of license (i.e. full liquor, beer and wine, grocery, etc.) that the new owner is applying for.

Sounds simple, right? Not so much in practice, though. With the numerous parties involved and timing of these transactions always in flux, it can be easy to loose track of the deadlines, moving parts, and paperwork. The buyer must submit a complete application along with its application for a temporary permit. Which means that the community board process, lease negotiation and execution (or property purchase), and business purchase all, in most cases, need to happen simultaneously if the new owner wishes to sell alcohol from day one.

Transferring a liquor license and obtaining a temporary permit can be the difference between turning a profit for the first months of operation or loosing significant revenue while waiting for the liquor license to be issued.

Contact The James Firm today if you would like to learn more about how you can get a liquor license in New York. The James Firm is an NYC Law Firm helping businesses obtain liquor licenses so they can build multi-million dollar businesses. You may contact us by phone or email here.