What’s New

National operators face continuing challenges with alcoholic beverage licensing and compliance, predominantly due to the inherent complexity of adhering to a diverse array of liquor control regulations across the United States. Each state, and often municipalities within them, have their own rules for obtaining and maintaining licenses, covering everything from hours of sale to employee…

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On September 11, 2024, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law a bill which will create 225 new liquor licenses in the City of Boston over the next three years. The bill, formally titled “An Act authorizing additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the City of…

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On April 30, 2024, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a new law that will expedite outdoor dining approvals at the local level and authorize licensed restaurants to serve cocktails “to go.”  The new law, titled “An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2024 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain Other…

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Outdoor dining throughout Boston increased as a response to pandemic restrictions and, over the course of the past three years, further proliferated as customers, restaurant operators, and local officials realized the social and economic benefits of outdoor dining space. Even as concerns related to COVID-19 subside, customers continue to seek the diversity of options offered…

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Proposed Massachusetts Ballot Initiative Would Increase Retail Liquor License Cap A proposed ballot initiative is currently pending with the state legislature and, if the requisite signatures are obtained by the July 6, 2022 deadline, would appear on the ballot this November. The petition, titled “An Initiative Petition for a Law Relative to 21st Century Alcohol…

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Beginning Saturday, January 15, 2022, certain food establishments in the City of Boston will be required to obtain proof of COVID-19 vaccination from customers and employees. The vaccine mandate, officially titled the “Temporary Order Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Indoor Entertainment, Recreation, Dining, and Fitness Settings in the City of Boston” was established by the Boston…

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On September 29, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that effective Monday, October 5th, lower risk communities* will be permitted to move into Step II of Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan with the following restrictions:     Indoor performance venues will be permitted to open with 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 people….

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On September 15, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced an extension of state tax deferral measures aimed at easing COVID-19 related financial burdens for the retail and hospitality sectors.   The tax deferral extension will include the following measures:   Extended Time Period for Deferral. Sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes will be…

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At a press conference on May 29, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced a plan for re-opening restaurants throughout Massachusetts. Re-opening will commence during Phase 2, with a specific date expected to be announced the first week in June.   Below is a synopsis of the re-opening plan:   • The…

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On April 3, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed an emergency bill into law allowing take-out and delivery of beer/wine for licensed restaurants in Massachusetts. The authorization applies to any restaurant which currently holds a valid “all alcoholic beverages” or “malt and wine beverages” license approved by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and issued by the…

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