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SLA Temporary Retail Permit (serve while your license is pending): New York City restaurant guide

NYS Liquor Authority

What it is

A temporary permit that lets you serve alcohol while your full on-premises application is being reviewed. NYC on-premises applicants are now eligible (previously they were not), with operating limits attached.

When a restaurant needs it

You've filed (or are filing) an on-premises application and want to open with alcohol before the license issues.

How to apply

Notify the Community Board at the same time as, or at least 30 days (no more than 270 days) before, filing the ST permit application; if you already sent notice for the license, that clock counts. File the Temporary Retail (ST) permit application with the SLA.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Varies — see SLA (fee not stated on the eligibility page)
Processing time
Varies
Renewal
Expires when the license is decided; conditions apply while in force
Who files
The applicant entity files; usually handled by the same attorney as the license.

Good to know

Under the temporary permit you must close by 12 AM, outdoor areas close at 10 PM Sun–Thu / 11 PM Fri–Sat, no outdoor music and only recorded background music indoors. Not available if the location's prior two consecutive licenses were cancelled, suspended or revoked in the past five years, and for liquor applicants subject to the 500-foot law only after the hearing if the judge finds public interest.

Official source

SLA — Eligibility for temporary retail permits · SLA — Temporary Retail (ST) permit application

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