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Licensing Board

We grant and regulate various types of alcohol and food licenses for restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments in Boston. 

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Our board issues and regulates:

  • alcohol and food
  • hotels, inns, and lodging houses
  • fraternities and dormitories
  • billiards, pool and sippio tables, and bowling alleys 
  • fortune teller licenses within Boston

The Licensing Board also holds hearings about applications and violations. Hearings are typically held on Tuesdays (violations), Wednesdays (transactional), and Thursday's (voting). Learn more about the Licensing Board.

LIQUOR LICENSE PUBLIC WEBINAR

Thursday, November 21, from 4 - 5 p.m.

Join the Office of Small Business and Licensing Board for a webinar focused on applying for a new liquor license in Boston. They will share resources and answer any questions attendees have about the liquor license application process.

REGISTEr for the event

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Recent Advisories

  • Advisory regarding the distribution of beverage covers and drink spiking prevention trainings for nightclubs. Read the Advisory.
  • Advisory regarding unpermitted events within Licensed Premises. Read the Advisory.
  • Advisory regarding the smoking of tobacco products within a licensed premises. Read the advisory.
  • Advisory regarding Duty of Licensees to notify and cooperate with Police issued April 19, 2024. Read the Advisory.

More Licensing Board advisories

2025 License Renewal information

Services

New Licenses (Without Alcohol)
Make Changes to a License (Without Alcohol)
Non-Alcohol Application Portal
Renew a License
New Licenses (With Alcohol)
Make Changes to a License (With Alcohol)
Alcohol Application Portal
Special One Day License
Payment Portal
Entertainment Licensing
Hearing Information and Meeting Materials
Outdoor Dining

Office Hours

Liquor License Application Office Hours are held bi-weekly on Wednesdays, from 3 - 5 p.m.

REGISTEr for office hours

Webinar Archive:

Common License How-tos

How to get a common victualler license
How to get a special one-day alcohol license
How to get an annual retail alcohol license

Hearings and Meetings

Upcoming Hearings
Liquor License Application Office Hours
On Nov 27

Nov 27
Virtual Licensed Premise Violation Hearings
On Dec 10

Dec 10
Liquor License Application Office Hours
On Dec 11

Dec 11
Archived Public Notices

Resources

Resources
ABCC Advisories
Advisory regarding consumption of marijuana at a licensed premise
Best practices in public safety for nightclubs and other licensed premises
Forms and Applications
License Fees
Licensing Board Rules and Regulations
LIQUOR LICENSE FAQS
MA Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission
Secretary of State Office
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