Aliquor license (orliquor licence in most forms of Commonwealth English) is a governmentally issued permit for businesses to sell, manufacture, store, or otherwise use alcoholic beverages.
InCanada, liquor licences are issued by the legal authority of each province to allow an individual or business to manufacture or sell alcoholic beverages. Usually several types of liquor licences are available to apply for within each certain province. There are many regulations which apply to all types of liquor licences. For example, each licence must indicate the time, place and the maximum amount of sale. These licences also apply to special events, which may occur outside of the normal setting in which alcohol is served. Licence holders must strictly follow all the terms and rules to avoid suspension, fines for non-compliance or revocation. Most provinces also specify identification regulations in determining eligibility of patrons. It is also law in 2 provinces (Ontario and Quebec) that all individuals under 25 years of age must provide sufficient photo ID upon request.
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) licences liquor activities in Alberta, pursuant to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act (formerly Gaming and Liquor Act), other provincial and federal legislation, and AGLC policies.[1] The AGLC regulates Alberta's liquor industry, which was privatized in 1993 enabling the private sector to retail, warehouse, and distribute liquor in the province.[2]
InAlberta, five classes of general licences (and a variety of limited, special ones) are issued for the sale or other distribution, manufacture, storage, and other uses of alcoholic beverages:[2][3]
What is now Class F (brewing of beer, wine, and cider) was originally part of Class E, originally a general alcoholic-beverage manufacturing license.
The British Columbia government regulates and monitors the liquor industry to protect the public from the harm that may be caused by making and selling liquor or products that contain liquor.[4] The B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) regulates liquor service in bars and restaurants, private liquor stores, liquor manufacturers and importers, Ubrews and UVins (for personal liquor manufacturing) as well as liquor service at special occasion events.[4] The Liquor Distribution Branch is responsible for the importation and distribution of liquor in B.C. and also operates government liquor stores, it is against the law to provide liquor that has not been certified by the Liquor Distribution Branch. Inspectors will visit establishments unannounced and if the establishment fails to comply with laws and regulations, seizure of liquor, fine or suspension of licence may follow.[4]
Established in 1923, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) serves as a regulating agency of alcohol sales and distributions in Manitoba.[5] Its licensing board provides 12 types of liquor license applications, including Dining Room License, Cocktail Lounge Licence, Spectator Activities Licence, etc. Beside basic requirements for licensed premises such as proper seating capacities, the licensing board also reviews criminal record check and security plans before issuing a liquor licence.[6]
Established in 1930, and headquartered in Halifax, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation is the sole distributor and runs all retail outlets selling alcohol except for four private wine specialty shops and, in rural areas where there is not an NSLC location, 23 private "agency" liquor stores. In the former Liquor Commission was restructured as a Crown corporation and became the Liquor Corporation.
The Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario (LLBO) was the regulatory agency responsible for issuing liquor permits and regulating the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Ontario to promote moderation and responsible use within the province. Established in 1947 under the Liquor Licence Act (Ontario), the agency is not to be mistaken with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), an alcohol retailer. The LLBO was replaced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in 1998 under the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act (Ontario) passed in 1996. The LLBO name lives on in many eateries and entertainment establishments which display official certification to indicate the location is legally licensed to serve alcohol.
The province of Quebec has its own special laws concerning selling liquor and acquiring a liquor licence. The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux is in charge of liquor distribution and sets the laws on liquor consumption. The permits authorizing the sale or service of alcoholic beverages within the territory concerning liquor permits concluded between the Government and a Mohawk community are determined in the agreement and issued by the authority designated in the agreement. For example, in Quebec all places that are able to receive a liquor licence except grocery stores (available but until 11pm ) are able to operate every day, from 8 o’clock in the morning to 3 o’clock in the morning in selling liquor.[7] In Quebec, strong liquors and spirits (generally over 15%-20% abv.) are restricted for sale only in SAQ outlets (provincially-owned liquor retailers) as well at bars and other establishments with the requisite permit. All other types of liquor, as well as beer, shooters and other alcohol-derivative beverages are permitted to be sold at gas stations as well as supermarkets.
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)[8] is the corporation responsible for the distribution and regulation of alcohol in the province of Saskatchewan.
Types of personal use permits issued in Saskatchewan include:
Businesses seeking authorization to serve alcoholic beverages must complete the Commercial Liquor Permit Application [9]
Types of commercial liquor licences issued in Saskatchewan include:
In Finland a liquor licence from the Regional State Administrative Agency (Aluehallintavirasto) is needed for businesses manufacturing, serving or importing alcohol. Licences are usually non-limited but licences for limited periods also exist.[10]
A liquor licence can be granted to any mature natural or legal person who has not been declared bankrupt. Persons applying for a licence also need to be able to support themselves financially and be generally trustworthy. There also separate rules for the premises alcohol is served in. Liquor licences are not transferable.[10]
Before 2018 Finnish liquor licences were divided into classes A, B and C. A class A licence allowed serving alcohol up to 80% per volume, a B class licence up to 22% volume and a C class licence only fermented beverages up to 4.7% per volume.[10][11][12]
In 2020 the typical cost for a liquor licence in Finland was 450 to 650 euro.[13] In November 2020 Finland had about 9 thousand active liquor licences.[10]
Germany does not require any licenses for the production, wholesale, or retail sale (off-license) of alcoholic beverages.[14]AGaststättenkonzession [de] is required when alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises (on-license).
InSweden retailers are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages above 3.5% alcohol by volume. Only Systembolaget, the government-owned alcohol monopoly, is allowed to sell these products.
Liquor licenses (Swedish: serveringstillståndorutskänkningstillstånd) for restaurants, bars, and similar premises are issued by the local municipality. There are some basic provisions in the Alcohol Act to take into account, for example:
Most licenses allow liquor service between 11:00–01:00, but there are exceptions. Some restaurants have limited hours on weekdays but are allowed to serve longer on weekends. Many dance venues are allowed to serve until 03:00 or 05:00, often combined with the condition that the restaurant has doorman or similar control.
Throughout the United Kingdom, the sale of alcohol is only authorized for pubs, restaurants, shops, and other premises that are officially licensed by the local authority. The individual responsible for the premises must also hold a personal licence. Premises licences can be categorized into two different kinds:
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In the United States, liquor licenses are issued separately by each individual state. Majority licenses are often specified by each state and localities that have laws and regulations in acquiring such a license. Otherwise, general categories that are covered under license laws include when and where liquor may be served, the amount that can be served, how much it may be served for, and to whom it may be served. Across the United States it is very common to have further specified protocols in restaurants such as limits on drinks per customer, zero discounts on drinks, and to have unfinished bottles of wine to remain in the restaurant. Furthermore, there may be several choices of license classes depending on how one intends to sell the alcoholic beverages. The most common overall types of licenses required for bars and restaurants include:
Most US jurisdictions also divide licenses by on-premises consumption (bar and restaurant) and off-premises (bottle) sales. Certain venues can sometimes have both license types, e.g. a craft brewery that both operates as a tavern and sells bottled beer to go.
It is important for wholesale liquor vendors in the United States to verify authenticity and validity of liquor licenses before selling, because insurance companies do not cover claims related to alcohol if there is no valid liquor license involved.
In addition, some states have mandated "server permits" for those who serve alcoholic beverages.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in California was established in 1955. California ABC has the power to issue, deny, suspend, or revoke any specific alcoholic beverage license. The department has three divisions: administration, licensing and compliance and each division has specific responsibilities.
The types of retail licenses in California are:
Each license require a different application process.
California ABC has departmental investigators with police authority, who are responsible for investigating and making arrests for violations.[19]
The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) are responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages within New York State. Established in 1934 under New York State law, these agencies are currently responsible for controlling all liquor-related activities. The main responsibilities of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control include reviewing and investigating applicants to determine eligibility, issuing and limiting the number and type of licenses, and regulating trade of alcoholic beverages at wholesale and retail.[20]
According to the SLA and the ABC, an applicant must satisfy the following requirements for liquor license eligibility:
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In the state of Oregon, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) regulates and controls the distribution, sales, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
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The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) previously known as Texas Liquor Control Board is the agency responsible for enforcing regulations and laws concerning the sales of alcoholic beverages within the state of Texas. Introduced in 1935 and headquartered in Austin, the agency has followed the basic laws of the Alcoholic Beverage Code while issuing nearly 100,000 permits and liquor licenses per year. The basic requirements to be authorized with a liquor license include citizenship, 21 years of age or older, and successful completion of specified application forms.
The types of liquor licenses issued in Texas include:
Various types of licenses are issued by each state government. Any individual or company can get the following licenses:
Grant of L-1 license: For the purpose of wholesale supply of Indian Liquor. The government of NCT of Delhi once a year formulates policies for grant of this license in pursuance of which it's granted to the wholesale supply of Indian liquor. It's granted to Company or a society or a partnership firm or proprietorship firm having licensed manufacturing units (distillery/brewery/winery/bottling plant).
Grant of L-3/L-5 Licences: For hotels. Such license can be granted for hotels, which are holding star classification and the approval from Tourism Department of Government of India which is taken into account necessary for grant of License in form L-3.
Grant of L-19 License: For clubs. L-19 license can be issued to a club registered with the Registrar of Firms/Registrar of Cooperative Societies for facilitate of foreign liquor to its members.
Grant of L-49A license: Marriages, parties, etc. This license can be obtained on payment of Rs. 3000 for serving of liquor in any party, function, marriage, etc. at a particular premises anywhere in Delhi exclusive of public parks subject to the following conditions.
New Zealand has laws similar to those of the United Kingdom, but it further separates two other licences.[21]
Om inte kommunen beslutar annat, får servering av spritdrycker, vin, starköl eller andra jästa alkoholdrycker inte påbörjas tidigare än klockan 11.00 och inte pågå längre än till klockan 01.00.
Stadigvarande tillstånd för servering till allmänheten får medges endast om serveringsstället har ett eget kök i anslutning till serveringslokalen samt tillhandahåller lagad eller på annat sätt tillredd mat. Gästerna ska kunna erbjudas ett varierat utbud av maträtter. Efter klockan 23.00 får matutbudet begränsas till ett fåtal enklare rätter.
Servering av alkoholdrycker får ske till den som har fyllt 18 år.
Alkoholdrycker får inte lämnas ut till den som är märkbart påverkad av alkohol eller andra berusningsmedel.
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Alcoholic beverage authorities of the United States
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| Federal authorities |
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| State authorities |
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| Territorial authorities |
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| Local authorities |
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An * indicates an alcoholic beverage control state or county. | |
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| Retail and/or licensing |
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| Licensing only |
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