Alcoholic Beverages Retail License — §12 Restaurant, All Alcoholic Beverages (or Wine, Malt & Cordials): Boston restaurant guide

Licensing Board for the City of Boston + Massachusetts ABCC

What it is

Licenses are capped by state law. The Board can grant one only when one is available: a new or returned citywide license, one of the 2024 neighborhood-restricted non-transferable licenses, or a transferable license you buy on the private market. Every grant also needs ABCC approval.

When a restaurant needs it

Serving spirits (all alcoholic beverages) or wine, malt and cordials. A beer-and-wine-only restaurant applies for the separate Wines & Malt Beverages license instead (see that entry). You must also hold a Common Victualler license.

How to apply

Complete the ABCC New Retail License Application online, pay the $200 ABCC fee, and submit both as one PDF through the Licensing Board's alcohol application portal. Then run the Boston Herald legal ad, send certified-mail abutter notices, pay the hearing fee and present at the hearing. Transfers use the ABCC transfer application.

Documents you’ll need

ABCC Application for a New License (retail) + $200 receipt
Articles of Organization / Business Certificate
FEIN
Lease, deed or letter of intent
Floor plan of all floors showing liquor storage/service
Financing documentation
Notarized CORI authorizations for all interest holders and the Manager of Record
Manager of Record résumé and citizenship proof
Affidavit of Notice to Abutters with certified mail receipts

Fee

Upfront: $200 ABCC + $170 Boston Herald ad + $100 hearing fee. Annual: restaurant all alcohol $2,800; wine/malt/liqueurs $2,100; wine/malt $1,800 (plus CV fees).

Processing time

8–20 weeks total (4–12 weeks Licensing Board, 4–8 weeks ABCC); longer if no license is available

Renewal

Annually — renewal must be submitted online by November 30, no exceptions

Who files

The applicant entity or its attorney files; the Manager of Record must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, live in Massachusetts and appear at the hearing.

Good to know

'Deferred' is the most common outcome, meaning no license is available yet, and the application stays on file for 2 years. Allston/Brighton, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Downtown, Mission Hill, North End, Seaport, South Boston and the West End rarely see new licenses. State law (M.G.L. c.138 §12) also requires proof of liquor liability insurance of at least $250,000 per person / $500,000 per accident before the license is issued or renewed.

Official source

Boston — Alcoholic Beverage Retail License · M.G.L. c.138 §12 — on-premises licenses (hours, CV requirement, liquor liability insurance)

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.