Category: Restaurant / Liquor License
Pennsylvania Releases Guidance for Restaurants Operating During the Covid-19 Disaster Emergency
As business begin to reopen during this pandemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued guidance for restaurants and food services businesses. Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is easily transmitted, especially in group settings. COVID-19 can be transmitted from infected individuals who are asymptomatic or are experiencing mild… Continue reading
Attention Liquor Licensees
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has issued guidance to licensees regarding Act 21 of 2020, which allows certain hotel and restaurant licensees to temporarily sell prepared beverages and mixed drinks to go, that went into effect on May 21, 2020. Hotel and restaurant licensees that… Continue reading
Serving Minors is a Major Problem
If you ask people what the drinking age is in Pennsylvania most will quickly answer 21. Indeed, since prohibition was repealed in 1933, Pennsylvania’s legal drinking age has been 21 years of age. For a licensed establishment, serious penalties and fines occur when the licensee… Continue reading
10th Auction of Expired Restaurant Licenses Now Open
The bidding process for the tenth 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: Armstrong, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Cameron,… Continue reading
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