Temporary Liquor Permits

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYC Hospitality Alliance successfully advocated for a law allowing the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to issue temporary liquor permits to new applicant restaurants and bars in New York City, just as the law allows the SLA to do for new applicants elsewhere in New York State. 

In 2024, the NYC Hospitality Alliance successfully advocated to expand access to Temporary Liquor Permits in NYC by getting legislation passed that eliminates the requirement that a premises held an active liquor license within the past two years to be eligible for a temporary liquor permit. Temporary Liquor Permits reduce the time it takes for restaurants and bars to lawfully begin serving alcohol from nearly 1 year (due to backlog at the State Liquor Authority to obtain an official liquor license), to a reasonable 3-4 months.