Category: Restaurant / Liquor License
Liquor License Can Be A Privilege or a Right
In the Philadelphia suburbs restaurant liquor licenses have recently sold for as much as $550,000. What has a buyer of a license really bought? Certainly, other than the certificate that is issued by the Liquor Control Board (the LCB), there is nothing very tangible; but… Continue reading
Going Once, Going Twice – Sold!
As we reported in June, the Governor signed Act 39 into law which went into effect on August 8, 2016. Act 39 requires the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to auction expired restaurant licenses, including those that were not renewed, were revoked by an Administrative… Continue reading
The Current State of Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfers
In the past we have reported on the process for transferring liquor licenses. Since 2000, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) has permitted Restaurant (“R”) licenses and Eating Place (“E”) licenses to be transferred outside of the municipality where they are located to another municipality… Continue reading
What is RAMP Training?
RAMP is the LCB’s “Responsible Alcohol Management Program” designed to train and certify owners, managers and servers of alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania in proper alcohol sale and service procedures. These include such things as proper identification checks, detecting fake or fraudulent I.D. documents, identifying signs… Continue reading
Landmark Changes to the Liquor Code
In December we reported that the Pennsylvania Senate had approved liquor reforms that were acceptable to the Governor, but that the Pennsylvania Legislature had yet to approve any such change. In June, the Legislature finally passed the Liquor Reform Bill and on June 8, 2016,… Continue reading
Alcohol Service to Minors
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 Indeed since prohibition was repealed in 1933 Pennsylvania’s legal drinking age has been 21 years of age.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
Closing Time…You Don’t Have to Go Home, But You Can‘t Stay Here
The Pennsylvania Liquor Code requires that all patrons vacate a licensed establishment no later than one half hour after the conclusion of the legal alcoholic beverage service time. Alcohol service times vary based on the type of license. Licensed hotels, licensed restaurants, licensed airports, licensed… Continue reading
Can the Budget Deadlock in Harrisburg Lead to Liquor Reform?
In an effort to resolve the ongoing budget battle in Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania Senate has passed a $30.3 billion Republican-backed state budget that calls for increases in the cigarette tax, new revenue from internet gaming and major changes to the liquor code. The Pennsylvania House… Continue reading
Off-Site Catering has Become Pop-Up Beer Gardens
In recent years Pennsylvanians have seen the rise of the so called “pop-up” beer garden, particularly in the Philadelphia area. These pop-up beer gardens often operate on vacant lots or in open areas otherwise under-utilized and are open seasonally from the late spring to early… Continue reading
Management Companies for Liquor Licensees
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