Category: Restaurant / Liquor License

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

A Pennsylvania liquor license may only be used by the owner of that license, the “licensee.”  The licensee may not lease the license or allow an individual that is not recognized by the Liquor Control Board (LCB) as the owner to use that license.  However, the LCB… Continue reading →

The bidding process for the seventh auction for expired restaurant licenses is now open.  The Commonwealth is offering 33 expired restaurant licenses in a sealed bid auction.  There will be one license offered in each of the following counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks,… Continue reading →