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PLCB Restaurant (R) liquor license — transfer or auction: Philadelphia restaurant guide

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

What it is

Lets you sell beer, wine and spirits for on-premises consumption. Philadelphia County is at its quota, so you must buy an existing license (transfer) or win one at a PLCB auction.

When a restaurant needs it

Required to sell wine or spirits — including a beer-and-wine-only restaurant, because Pennsylvania has no beer-and-wine license. A beer-only restaurant can instead use an Eating Place (E) malt-beverage license (300 sq ft + working kitchen), but E licenses are also under the Philadelphia quota and must be bought from an existing holder.

How to apply

Negotiate a purchase (usually with escrow and an attorney), then file a double (person + place) transfer in PLCB+; post the notice on the premises for at least 30 days.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Transfer: $650 person-to-person, $550 place-to-place, $700 double; license fee $250–$700 based on municipal population; Sunday Sales Permit $300
Processing time
Varies — commonly several months depending on PLCB investigation and any protests
Renewal
Renewal/validation on the PLCB schedule
Who files
Owner files in PLCB+, usually through a liquor-license attorney.

Good to know

R license premises need at least 400 sq ft, 30 seats and food for 30. Market prices to buy an R license are set privately — budget well beyond the government fees.

Official source

PLCB — Apply for or transfer a license · PLCB license and permit fees (Sept 2026)

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