Category: Restaurant / Liquor License

The two most common retail liquor licenses in Pennsylvania are the H license or hotel license and the R license or restaurant license. Virtually all restaurants and taverns serving alcohol in the Commonwealth utilize one of these two types of licenses.  In recent years the… Continue reading →

The bidding process for the sixth 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 the following 25 counties:           Bids for… Continue reading →

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) issues, renews, or validates over 21,000 liquor licenses per year.  A retail license (providing for sales directly to the public) can only be issued when there is both an owner (which can be either an individual or an entity)… Continue reading →

An invitation for bids is now open for the award of 30 expired restaurant licenses; this is the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s fifth license auction since Act 39 became effective in August 2016. The auction format will use the sealed bid process which the LCB… Continue reading →

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) issues, renews and validates retail and wholesale liquor licenses. Every liquor license must be renewed biannually and validated in years that renewal is not required. In order to renew or validate a license, the appropriate renewal or validation fee… Continue reading →

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) was established in conjunction with the 21st Amendment and the repeal of Prohibition. It was created by state law on Nov. 29, 1933, just four days before the end of Prohibition. The agency is governed by a three-member Board… Continue reading →

Notwithstanding Pennsylvania’s general prohibition on smoking in bars, Pennsylvania does permit the operation of “cigar bars”. Under the Clean Indoor Air Act, a proposed cigar bar needs to apply for and obtain a Department of Health exemption to allow smoking on the premises. All permits… Continue reading →

The Liquor Control Board will be releasing 50 “R” licenses for auction. Bids for the licenses are due by noon on Thursday, November 9, 2017. Bids will be opened Thursday, November 16, 2017 and auction winners will be determined soon thereafter. This auction includes 50… Continue reading →

Dry municipalities are those that do not allow the sale of wine, spirits and/or malt and brewed beverages within their borders.  Dry municipalities have existed in Pennsylvania dating back to before Prohibition.  At the end of Prohibition in 1933, state law made alcohol sales a… Continue reading →

Most Pennsylvania liquor licenses are distributed on a county-by-county basis based upon a ratio of one license per 3,000 inhabitants in the county. Once the limit is reached, liquor license acquisition depends on supply and demand. However, in 2002 the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation… Continue reading →