There are 74 different types of retail liquor licenses in California.
If you want to open a restaurant, bar, club, tavern or a grocery store, convenience store or a mom and pop market, you will need a liquor license.
The question is, what type of liquor license will you need?
Below is a list of California liquor licenses and their privileges that will fit into one of the above businesses:
47 - On Sale General – Eating Place: This liquor license can be used for a restaurant, bar or tavern. This liquor license authorizes the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption “on the licenses premises” and also authorizes the sale of “beer and wine for consumption off” the licenses premises. The licensee must operate and maintain the licensed premises as a bona fide eating-place (you must sell food). The licensee must maintain suitable kitchen facilities, and must make actual and substantial sales of meals for consumption on the premises. Minors are allowed on the premises.
48 - On Sale General – This liquor license can be used as a Bar or Night Club. This liquor license allows the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption on the premises. This liquor license “also authorizes the sale of beer and wine for consumption off” the premises where sold. Minors are not allowed to enter and remain (see Section 25663.5 for exception, musicians). Food service is also not required.
21 - Off-Sale General – This liquor license can be used for a liquor store, package store, convenience store, grocery store or mom and pop market. This liquor license allows the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption off the premises where sold. Minors are allowed on the premises.
20 - Off-Sale Beer & Wine – This liquor license can be used for a beer and wine package store, convenience store, grocery store or mom and pop market. This license authorizes the sale of beer and wine for consumption off the premises where sold. Minors are allowed on the premises. NEW RULE for Type 20 beer and wine licenses: Most type 20 Beer & wine licenses can now be transferred between counties, if your local zoning/planning department will allow it.
In California, there are moratoriums on liquor licenses (The state ABC no longer sells these types of liquor licenses) types, 47, 48 and 21. What does this mean to someone wanting to open one of the above businesses, it means you will need to locate a liquor license from someone willing to sell their license or through an auction website.
