Restaurant Beer and Wine (RBW) Licenses - FAQs
Q. What hours am I allowed to sell beer and wine?
A. As a restaurant you may serve beer and wine from 11:00am to 11:00pm. The licensee shall be responsible for removing alcoholic beverages from patrons’ possession prior to 11:00 pm.
Q. Where can I serve beer and wine in my restaurant?
A. You may serve to patrons seated for table service who are intending to order food. All beer and wine purchases must be stated on the food bill. Beer or wine may not be purchased separately.
Q. May I hire a manager to run my restaurant?
A. Yes, but you must file a management agreement with the department, for its' review and approval, within 30 days of employing a manager. The manager must also submit personal history statements and fingerprint cards for processing. The management agreement must clearly disclose the following information:
- Name, address, telephone number of the manager
- Social Security number (for individuals)
- FEIN number for management companies, etc.
- Amount of compensation
- Specific duties (licensee must retain ultimate control of licensed business)
Q. Where can I store my beer and wine?
A. A restaurant beer and wine license must have a service bar. A service bar means an area where beer and wine are stored and prepared.
- Consumption of alcohol by patrons or any other person is not permitted at the service bar.
Q. I have a drive-up window; may I sell beer or wine out of the window?
A. No. Beer and Wine may ONLY be consumed on the premises.
Q. May I serve beer and wine on my patio?
A. Yes, as long as the patio is defined on your floor plan and there is direct access to and from the patio area and the main licensed premises.
Q. May I serve beer or wine to customers who are waiting to be seated? (i.e. waiting area).
A. Yes, but it must only be in a designated waiting area and the customer must be intending to order food.
Q. Can I cater an event with my Restaurant Beer and Wine license?
A. Yes, as long as you have a catering endorsement on your license, you may cater a special event up to 100 miles from your licensed premises. The catering contract must show 65% of revenue from the sale of food.
Q. Can I have gambling machines in my restaurant?
A. No, gaming in not allowed with a Restaurant Beer and Wine license.
Q. Can a customer purchase beer or wine to go?
A. No. Patrons can only consume the product on premises. If the patron orders a “bottle” of wine, the patron may NOT take the wine off of the premises at the time of departure.
Q. Can a Restaurant Beer and Wine licensee sell a keg of beer?
A. No, this type of license is for On-Premises consumption only.
Q. Is a Restaurant Beer and Wine license transferrable?
A. A Restaurant Beer and Wine license may transfer ownership or location, upon approval by the department, from the original applicant to a new owner of the restaurant only after one year of use by the original owner.
Last updated 5/18/2011 9:29:36 AM