Category: Restaurant / Liquor License
Off-Premises Catering Permits
Restaurant, Hotel, Brew Pub, and Eating Place licensees are entitled to apply for an “Off Premises Catering Permit” (“OPCP”). For an annual application fee of $500.00 to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) qualified licensees are permitted to hold a “catered function” off their licensed… Continue reading
Bah Humbug
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) recognizes that it is common practice, especially during the Holiday Season, for many businesses to provide gifts or other things of value as a gesture of goodwill or appreciation for receiving quality customer service. While the sentiment behind such… Continue reading
Distributors: What Makes Them Unique From Other Retail Liquor Licenses
Pennsylvania alcohol consumers purchase most of their alcoholic products from restaurant licensees, state stores or from distributors in the case of beer or malt brewed beverages. The Commonwealth serves as the wholesaler of wine and spirits and distributes those products to its state stores which… Continue reading
What is Gaming/Gambling According to the LCB? And Why Does it Matter?
Gambling is permitted in many Pennsylvania businesses licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”). The most obvious example is casinos which offer a myriad of games for their patrons. There is also a special permit available to certain licensees from the LCB called a… Continue reading
Buying A Liquor License Through the LCB Auction Process
Regular readers of this newsletter may notice recurring announcements of upcoming auctions held by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”). For those seeking a liquor license the LCB license auction is often a good way to acquire a liquor license for a very reasonable price. … Continue reading
Sales Tax Changes for Breweries
Beginning July 1, 2019, Pennsylvania brewers who serve beer for direct on-premises consumption must charge and remit Pennsylvania’s 6% sales tax on such “tap-room” purchases. This measure, which was originally slated to take effect on January 1, 2019, has been, predictably, very unpopular with Pennsylvania… Continue reading
Eighth Auction of Expired Restaurant Licenses Now Open
The bidding process for the eighth auction for expired restaurant licenses is now open. The Commonwealth is offering 25 expired restaurant licenses in a sealed bid auction. There will be one license offered in each of the following counties: Berks, Blair, Bucks, Clearfield, Dauphin, Delaware,… Continue reading
What is a Nuisance Bar?
In 1990, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) established the “Nuisance Bar Program” as a method of dealing with licensed establishments which were chronic offenders of the Liquor Code. In 1998, the program was expanded to allow the LCB to consider activity not only in… Continue reading
Keeping a Liquor License Safe While it is in Safekeeping
When a licensed establishment is closed for renovation or is damaged by natural disaster or when the business has to close for economic reasons, there are actions the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) requires of the licensee. Any licensed establishment closed for fifteen days or… Continue reading
RAMP Requirements vs RAMP Certification
Pennsylvania liquor licensees are required to have the owner or the “premises manager” certified under the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (“RAMP”) within 6 months of becoming an owner or becoming the premises manager. Additionally any employee hired on or after Aug. 8, 2016 who serves or… Continue reading