Because of the cap of 1 license per 3,000 residents — a law that dates back to Prohibition era-thinking — licenses are expensive in areas with high demand. The average is thought to be about $350,000, though some are as low as $50,000 or as high as $2.3 million.
Due to population cap restrictions, most towns and cities cannot create and bid any “new” retail consumption (restaurant/bar) or retail distribution (liquor store) licenses. This means that the only way for a potential buyer to obtain a licensee is through a person-to-person transfer.
A pocket license refers to a liquor license that has been purchased but has not been attached to a specific location. New Jersey lawmakers expect these changes will increase the number of available licenses on the market by 15% across the state. There are approximately 1,356 inactive licenses.
Different Types of Alcoholic Beverage State Licenses (ABCC) Alcoholic Beverages Distributors License. Alcoholic Beverages Direct-to-Consumer License. Alcoholic Beverages Broker or Salesman Permit. Alcoholic Beverages Storage Permit. Alcoholic Beverages Transportation Permit. Alcoholic Beverages Manufacturer License.
BARTENDERS/SERVERS: ALL individuals who will serve, sell, deliver, and/or dispense alcoholic beveragesmust have current proof of completion (within last three years) of an appropriate Massachusetts alcoholic beverage server-training program (TIPS). Servers must have certification on their person during event.