The primary purpose of the “R” licensed establishment is to habitually and principally provide food service to the public. The service of liquor, wine or beer products is secondary. The interior dimensions must be no less than 400 square feet, equipped with at least 30 chairs, or the equivalent seating, at tables for public use.
Even though “R” licensees may serve liquor, wine and beer products, they are under the same restrictions as “E” licensees regarding the sale of these products for take-out purposes. “R” licensees may not sell any single, open container of alcoholic beverage for consumption outside the establishment.
The “R” licensed establishment is commonly referred to as a bar or tavern. This type of licensed establishment can encompass anything from an elegant, family dining operation to a small corner bar. This license is restricted by the County-Quota Law.
Operational Hours:
“C” and “CC” licensed establishments must operate for the good of the club membership and in a fraternal sense. The sale of alcoholic beverages must be secondary to the actual reason for the club’s existence. Incorporated clubs must exist for a minimum of one year prior to applying for a liquor license. Unincorporated clubs must exist for a minimum of ten years prior to a liquor license being granted.
The club must possess an original charter and must hold regular meetings open to its members, conduct legitimate business through elected officers, admit members by written application, investigation and ballot, charge and collect dues and maintain required records. A club is not an organization used to accommodate a private bar operation. Additionally, no individual is allowed to own a club.
“CC” licensees may allow groups in the establishment for weddings or private affairs with prior arrangement. Private clubs are forbidden to sell alcoholic beverages for take-out purposes.
Operational Hours:
These licenses concern neighborhood beer distributors. Sales are for off-premises consumption only and these sales must be made in original containers of no less than one case of twenty-four (24) containers or seven (7) ounces. “Twelve packers” are acceptable, but the single containers of beer products must be at least twenty-four (24) ounces. Single containers holding more than 128 ounces are acceptable. In most cases, single container sales involve kegs of beer or beer products.
An Importing Distributor is a variation of this type of license. These generally are very large operations which maintain large amounts of beer products and usually sell only to other smaller “D” licensees and not to the public. This license is restricted by the County-Quota Law.
Operational Hours:
The primary purpose of the “E” licensed establishment is the regular preparation and service of food. The interior dimensions of the establishment must be no less than 300 square feet, equipped with at least thirty (30) chairs, or the equivalent seating, at tables for public use.
“E” licensees may only sell beer or its variants; liquor and wine sales are forbidden. The licensee can sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer products, in original containers, for take-out purposes. “E” licensees may not sell any single, open container of alcoholic beverage for consumption outside the establishment.
The “E” licensed establishment is commonly referred to as a delicatessen or corner store. This license is restricted by the County-Quota Law.
Operational Hours:
An “H” licensee must operate the dining and alcohol service areas in the same manner as an “R” licensee. In addition, the “H” licensed establishment, depending on population, must have 12 to 50 permanent bedrooms for public use, a separate dining room(s) for at least 30 people and a separate kitchen. This type of licensed establishment can encompass anything from a recognizable hotel operation to a corner bar. Mandatory sleeping accommodations and a kitchen on the premises are the differences between the “R” and “H” licenses.
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This permit allows for live entertainment, dancing by patrons/entertainers, shows, etc., within the premises. Without an “AP” permit, the licensee is restricted to television, jukebox and live instrumental music. No vocal entertainment is permitted.
“AP” permits have several restrictions. Among them, no entertainment/dancing is allowed to be visible and no noise is allowed to be heard from outside of the premises. The “AP” permit is not valid after 2:00 AM. Private clubs are not required to hold PLCB issued “AP” permits (Refer to Title 40, § 5.31 and § 5.32).
The “EHF” permit affects hours after 2:00 AM. This permit allows a licensed establishment to remain open after 2:30 AM for the purpose of maintaining restaurant business. To qualify for this permit, the licensee must qualify for, or hold, a “SS” permit.
Even with an “EHF” permit, the licensee must close down the alcoholic beverage sales portion of business no later than 2:00 AM and collect all unfinished alcoholic beverages by 2:30 AM. No patrons can legally possess any alcoholic beverage on the premises after 2:30 AM. Private clubs do not qualify for the “EHF” permit.
No licensee holding a “H”, “R” or “E” license may open for the sale of alcoholic beverages on a Sunday unless the licensee has been granted a “SS” permit. Holders of the “SS” permit may open at 11:00 AM Sunday and remain open until 2:00 AM Monday.
To qualify for this permit, the licensee must certify, through an accountant, that the establishment sells a minimum of 40% food and non-alcoholic beverages on an annual basis. A common misconception is that the licensed establishment must sell at least 40% food and non-alcoholic beverages on Sunday — this is not accurate.
