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About Alcohol Beverages Retail Licenses

Alcoholic Beverages License Applications in the City of Boston are processed by Boston Licensing Board ("BLB" or "Board") and the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission ("ABCC").

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The MA Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (“ABCC”) is charged with the supervision of the conduct of the business of manufacturing, importing, exporting, storing, transporting, and selling alcoholic beverages. The Local Licensing Authorities (“LLAs”) grant and issue alcoholic beverages licenses in the city or town pending the availability of licenses. The Boston Licensing Board is the LLA for the City of Boston.

The licensing process for § 12 on-premises and § 15 off-premises package store licenses involves three steps:

  1.  the LLA grants a retail license (pending availability of a license);
  2. the ABCC approves the granting of such a license;
  3. the LLA issues the license upon payment of the licensing fee

 

Retail licenses types

Alcoholic beverages retail licenses are distinguished by where a patron may consume the beverages purchased, i.e., on-premises or off the premises. 

There are 5 types of (§12) on-premises alcoholic beverages licenses:

  1. Restaurants
  2. Clubs (or veterans clubs)
  3. Hotels
  4. Taverns, and;
  5. General on-premises.

(§15) Off-premises licenses include:

  1. Package stores
  2. Convenience stores and;
  3. Supermarkets.

 

In addition, the Board may issue a retail alcoholic beverages license under one of the following three (3) categories:

  • all alcoholic beverages licenses
  • wine and malt beverages licenses, and;
  • wine and malt with cordials and liqueur beverages licenses.

The above license categories may also be:

  • restricted*, or;
  • neighborhood-restricted.*

*Please note that restricted licenses hold no value and cannot be transferred. The restricted license will be returned to the Licensing Board upon the closure of the business. It cannot be sold to someone else. Neighborhood-restricted licenses are limited to the neighborhood to that they were initially issued.

Special One Day Licenses (§14)

A "Special License" to pour liquor at an indoor or outdoor activity or enterprise may be issued to the responsible manager of the indoor or outdoor activity or enterprise.

The Board may issue special licenses for the sale of wines and/or malt beverages to any enterprise however, special licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages may be issued to non-profit organizations only. The license is to be utilized for a single day.

The Local Licensing Authorities cannot grant special licenses to:

a. any person for more than a total of 30 days per calendar year,

b. to any person that has an on premises license application pending before it,

c. any premises that has an alcoholic beverages license.

Special licensees CANNOT purchase alcoholic beverages from a package store.

Read more here.

One Day Amendment (Existing Licensees)

Licensees with an existing alcoholic beverages license may petition the Board for a "One Day Amendment" to amend any condition on the annual license for one day.

Examples: Extension to use a contiguous space or extension of hours for one day

License Availability

The number of liquor licenses in the City of Boston is established by Massachusetts General Law. The availability of a license at any given time is fluid as licenses are routinely transferred between businesses if unrestricted, subject to the approval of the Board and the ABCC, or returned to the City of Boston upon the closure of a business if restricted. 

The Board will hold a public hearing to consider any new application for a license. If the Board determines that there is a public need for the type of license at the proposed location and that the character and fitness of the applicant are such that the granting of the license would be in the interest of the common good, the Board will then look to whether there is an available license for which the applicant qualifies. 

If you are seeking to purchase a transferable license on the open market that transfer must be approved by the Board and the ABCC and is subject to a hearing. The Board is not involved in the private market for the purchase of licenses other than to review and approve or deny the transfer application.

Apply for a retail license

Common Forms

Event with State Licensed Caterers (12C)

Under state law, all events utilizing the services of a caterer holding a 12C caterers license must provide written notice of the event to the local police chief and local licensing authority (LicensingBoard@boston.gov) at least 48 hours before the event. This notice is to include a copy of:

  • Description of event (i.e. Date, Time, and Location)
  • the 12C license 
  • a copy of the liquor liability insurance,
  • and emergency contact information for the manager of the 12C license.
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