Category: Restaurant / Liquor License
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
Management Companies for Liquor Licensed Premises
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
Seventh LCB R-License Auction
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
Breweries, Limited Wineries and Distilleries
Pennsylvania is in the midst of a “craft” transformation. This phenomenon includes alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and spirits. Consumers have increasingly been demanding products that are locally sourced and made in small batches of quality ingredients designed to meet the taste and preferences… Continue reading
What is the Difference Between an H (Hotel) and an R (Restaurant) Liquor License in Pennsylvania?
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 Commonwealth’s 6th Auction for Expired R-Licenses
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
Obtaining Liquor Licenses
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
Spring 2018 Auction Notice
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