Wines & Malt Beverages Restaurant License (§12, beer and wine only): Boston restaurant guide

Licensing Board for the City of Boston + Massachusetts ABCC

What it is

The beer-and-wine version of the restaurant liquor license. Same Licensing Board hearing and ABCC approval as an all-alcohol license, but a lower annual fee ($1,800 vs. $2,800), and the 2024 neighborhood licenses set aside 2 beer/wine licenses per ZIP code per year.

When a restaurant needs it

Serving beer and wine (no spirits) with meals. You can later petition to add cordials/liqueurs without a full upgrade.

How to apply

Same process as an all-alcohol license: ABCC New Retail License application + $200 fee, submitted through the Licensing Board's alcohol application portal, Boston Herald ad, abutter notices, $100 hearing fee, public hearing, then ABCC review.

Documents you’ll need

ABCC Application for a New License (retail), category 'Wines and Malt Beverages' + $200 receipt
Articles of Organization / Business Certificate
Lease, deed or letter of intent
Floor plan showing where alcohol is stored and served
Financing documentation
Notarized CORI authorizations
Manager of Record résumé and citizenship proof
Affidavit of Notice to Abutters
Liquor liability insurance ($250,000 / $500,000 minimum)

Fee

Upfront: $200 ABCC + $170 Boston Herald ad + $100 hearing fee. Annual: 7-Day Malt and Wine (restaurant) $1,800 plus the Common Victualler and capacity fee.

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 who lives in Massachusetts.

Good to know

In the 13 neighborhood-license ZIP codes, each year brings 2 wine & malt licenses per ZIP (vs. 3 all-alcohol), so beer-and-wine applicants face a smaller pool. A 'wine, malt and cordials' license costs $2,100 a year and is filed under the all-alcohol entry.

Official source

Licensing Board — license fees (7-Day Malt and Wine $1,800) · Boston — Alcoholic Beverage Retail License (categories and process)

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