Apply for a New York liquor license (on-premises)
Welcome to Fernway's builder for the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) license application. You are probably here for one of two things: the SLA forms or someone to fill them out for you.
We offer an alternative: fill them out yourself. With our help, we promise it'll be easier than you think!
How can we help?
Fernway is designed to ask you plain questions, one at a time. Each one builds on what you already answered. Your answers are saved as you go, so you can stop and come back whenever you like. At the end you download the finished form packet, print it, and send it to the SLA.
How are we different from a consultant or lawyer?
A lawyer or consultant asks you for the same information, types them into a spreadsheet, and fills out the forms. Fernway lets you do the same thing yourself, today, for free.
Why is this needed?
The SLA does want to accept your application. They have just made the process hard to follow. Try their New York SLA application wizard and fill it out yourself. You will type the same facts over and over, and dig them out of a different place each time. Every answer already exists somewhere. The hard part is pulling it together. Fernway is the tools for that.
Does Fernway save your information?
No. Everything stays in your browser. Nothing leaves it unless you say so.
Free? What is the catch?
Almost none. The whole application builder is free. Later we will add renewals, where your finished application fills out the renewal forms in minutes. See a preview of the NYC liquor license renewal. That part is optional and will cost less than two NYC bagels, $9 a month.
Do we still need a lawyer or a consultant?
That is entirely up to you. Think of Fernway similar to tax software. We generate the forms for you, but it is up to you (or someone else) to make sure they are correct.
Do you support other states?
We are working on it. Ask for your state at hello@fernway.io.
New York liquor license questions
How do I get a liquor license in NY?
Answer the pre-check to find your license class, gather the documents on the checklist, fill the on-premises application, notify your community board 30 days before filing, and mail the signed packet with the fees and a $1,000 surety bond to the New York State Liquor Authority. A broker sells that bond for about $75 to $275; you do not pay the $1,000. This tool fills the forms from your answers.
How much is a liquor license in NY?
A restaurant or food and beverage liquor license costs $4,352 in New York, Kings, Bronx, and Queens counties, $3,072 in Richmond county and the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers, $2,432 in Albany, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Niagara Falls, Schenectady, Utica, and White Plains, and $1,792 elsewhere, plus a $200 filing fee. Wine and beer classes run $480 to $1,152 plus a $100 filing fee.
Can I get a temporary liquor license in NY while I wait?
Yes, if you qualify. A temporary retail permit lets you serve for 180 days while the application is pending, and you can renew it for 30, 60, or 90 days. It costs $640 per bar for a liquor or wine license and $128 for a beer-only license, and the fee is not refundable. The pre-check asks whether you want one and adds the permit form to your packet.
What is an on-premises liquor license?
An on-premises license lets a restaurant, bar, or similar business sell alcohol for drinking where it is bought. The SLA issues separate classes for liquor, wine, and beer, and for restaurants with a full kitchen and entree meals versus food and beverage businesses with a prep area and a lighter menu.
What types of liquor licenses are there in NY?
For drinking on the premises the main classes are Restaurant On-Premises Liquor (OP 340), Food & Beverage Business Liquor (OP 370), Restaurant Wine (RW 240), Food & Beverage Business wine (TW 267), and Food & Beverage Business Beer (EB 138). Hotels, clubs, caterers, vessels, chain restaurants, and restaurant brewers use other classes or forms that this tool does not fill yet.
Your answers stay in this browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
This tool is not legal advice and is not affiliated with the New York State Liquor Authority.