If you’re planning to serve wine at your business in New York City, it’s important to know what kind of license you need. Two common types are the restaurant wine license and the tavern wine license. While both allow you to serve wine, cider, and beer, they follow different rules depending on your type of business. Understanding how they differ can help you avoid delays or legal problems.
Here’s a breakdown of how each license works, who it’s for, and what you’ll need to qualify.
What Is a Restaurant Wine License?
A restaurant wine license is for full-service restaurants where food is the main focus. This license allows you to sell wine, cider, and beer for customers to drink at your location. You can also let customers take some drinks to go, as long as you follow state laws.
To get this license, your business must have a working kitchen and a full menu that includes entrees. You can’t just offer snacks or finger foods. The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) wants to see that your business is centered around meals, not alcohol.
Common examples of businesses that use this license include:
- Sit-down restaurants
- Cafés that serve full meals
- Bistros
What Is a Tavern Wine License?
A tavern wine license also lets you serve wine, beer, and cider (plus mead), but it’s designed for taverns—places where people go mostly to drink, and food is served as a backup. You don’t need to offer full meals, but you do have to serve basic food items like sandwiches or soup.
This license works best for businesses that focus on drinks but still provide some food to stay in line with the law. Even if your main goal is to serve alcohol, the state requires that food be available to the public.
Common examples of tavern-style businesses include:
- Wine bars
- Taprooms or lounges with a limited food menu
- Bars that serve simple snacks
How Are These Licenses Different?
The biggest difference is how much food your business serves and what kind of experience you’re offering.
| Feature | Restaurant Wine License | Tavern Wine License |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Allowed | Wine, cider, beer | Wine, cider, beer, mead |
| Food Requirements | Full kitchen with entrée menu | Must serve sandwiches, soups, or similar food |
| Main Business Focus | Meals and dining | Alcohol and social drinking |
| Common Business Type | Full restaurants | Lounges or wine bars |
If you plan to run a traditional restaurant with sit-down dining, the restaurant wine license is the right choice. If you want to open a wine bar or similar space with light food, the tavern wine license may be better.
Requirements for a Tavern Wine License
To apply for a tavern wine license, you must meet the following rules:
- The business must be open to the public
- You must serve food
- You must not be located within 200 feet of a school or house of worship
- You may need to pass a 500-foot law review if your business is near other liquor-licensed locations
Some situations will automatically disqualify you from getting a license. These include:
- Being under 21
- Not being a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Having had a liquor license revoked in the past two years
- Being a police officer
- Being convicted of certain crimes
- Being tied to alcohol manufacturing or wholesaling (tied house law)
License Duration and Fees
The tavern wine license lasts for two years. The fee depends on the county and the type of business, but you can expect to pay anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand dollars. You may also need to pay for a temporary permit if you want to open before full approval.
Can You Get a Temporary Permit?
Yes. New York offers temporary retail permits so you can start serving alcohol before the full license is approved. But you must apply for the full license first and meet all other rules. You cannot allow BYOB during this waiting period.
What Types of Alcohol Can You Sell?
With both licenses, you can sell:
- Beer
- Wine
- Cider
The tavern wine license also lets you sell mead. If you want to sell hard liquor like whiskey or vodka, you’ll need a different license, such as a full on-premises liquor license.
What You Should Do Before Applying
Here are a few steps to take before you apply:
- Register your business legally
- Make sure you follow local zoning rules
- Prepare your building layout and safety plans
- Have a menu and food preparation setup ready
- Review the SLA’s license checklist
The SLA also has a license wizard tool to help you choose the correct application type.
When Can You Start Serving Alcohol?
You must wait for your license to be fully approved. You cannot serve any alcohol until you receive your official license certificate. Even if you’re conditionally approved, serving drinks too early can lead to penalties or denial of your license.
Not Sure Which One to Choose?
Choosing between a restaurant wine license and a tavern wine license depends on how your business is set up. Think about how much food you’ll be offering, what your primary business activity is, and the kind of crowd you want to attract.
Need Help Applying for a License?
If you’re opening a restaurant, tavern, or wine bar in New York City and need help deciding which license fits your business, call Rodriguez Law at (212) 960-3305. We can guide you through the application process, help you avoid common mistakes, and make sure your business stays on the right track.