Can People Buy Alcoholic Beverage Licenses?

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Can people buy alcoholic beverage licenses?  Clearly there are quite a few fees associated with obtaining an alcoholic beverage license, but the more accurate description for obtaining a "retail alcohol beverage license" centers mainly on the application process and includes satisfying a number of qualifications.

The Alcoholic Beverage License Application Process

image: happy hour sign In the strictest sense of the word, people cannot buy alcoholic beverage licenses.

Certainly there are many fees associated with obtaining an alcoholic beverage license, but the more accurate description for obtaining a retail alcohol beverage license focuses more on the application process, including satisfying the following qualifications:

  • Residency requirements of the applicant, partners, corporate agent, or the agent of a limited liability company (typically, this requirement can be met be active residency in the respective state for at least 90 days).
  • The professional character of the licensee, partners, directors, members, and stockholders (this usually means no felonies or misdemeanors).
  • The age of the applicant (licensee), partners, corporate officers, and all members of a limited liability company.  All must be 21 or older.
  • Completion of a Beverage Server Training Course for the licensee, partners, corporate agent, or the agent of a limited liability company (these courses are typically taught by a Bartending College)

Additional Requirements

Other application requirements include the following:

  • image: two couples at a bar drinking and having funA State Seller's Permit (required by the respective State).
  • Obtaining a Retail Liquor Dealer's Stamp (required by Federal Law).
  • Obtaining an Occupancy Permit (usually obtained from the city where the drinking establishment will be located).
  • Scheduling and Passing a Health Department Inspection (this must be done even if no food will be served).
  • Obtaining a Food License from the Health Department (i.e., if food will be served).
  • Fingerprinting the licensee, partners, corporate officers, members of a limited liability company, and stockholders owning 20% or more or stock.  If the application is for a non-profit establishment, only the agent of the organization is required to be fingerprinted.
  • Registration with the State (this must be done if the application is from a corporation or a limited liability company).
  • Passing a Police Investigation by the licensee, partners, corporate agent, or the agent of a limited liability company).
To make the argument for alcohol abstention and pregnancy even stronger, according to recent studies, women who continue to drink even small amounts of alcohol while trying to become pregnant, may reduce their chances of conceiving.

Alcoholic Beverage License Fees

The following Retail License Classifications and Fees must be paid:

  • Class "A" Fermented Malt Beverage (Beer) License (Fee: $360.00).
  • "Class A" Intoxicating Liquor License (Fee: $510.00).
  • Class A Liquor and Malt License (Fee: $860.00) (This is an application for both of the above two licenses for the same premises).
  • Class B Tavern License (Fee: $610.00).
  • Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage License (Fee: $110.00).
  • Class "C" Wine License (Fee: $110.00).

The following forms must be submitted:

  • Alcohol Beverage License Application
  • Detailed Floor Plan
  • Providing detailed information regarding all arrests and convictions in the application. 
During the second stage of alcoholism, physical symptoms such as stomach problems, blackouts, hangovers, and hand tremors increase. Rather than focusing on their drinking as the cause of the many problems they face, alcoholics, during this stage start to blame others and things external to themselves.

After reviewing all of the above requirements that must be accomplished in the application process, it appears that the $1,700 or $2,000 for License Fees might be the least problematic aspect when people seek to "buy alcoholic beverage licenses." 

Recent United States statistics reveal that 79% of fatal crashes occurring from midnight to 3:00am involve alcohol.

From a different perspective, with all of the pressure being aimed at drunken drivers by MADD, political organizations and law enforcement agencies, it might be asked why a person would be interested in obtaining a retail alcohol beverage license, especially if he or she wants to open a bar or tavern.  Simply put, why go through such a hassle? 

Today, substance abuse is the number one debilitating force among Alaska Natives. More specifically, the suicide rate for Alaska Natives is four times more than the national average and almost 80% of all Alaska Native deaths are related to alcoholism or to alcohol abuse.

Can People Buy Alcoholic Beverage Licenses:  Conclusion

Can people buy alcoholic beverage licenses?  Certainly there are many fees associated with obtaining an alcoholic beverage license, but in the strictest sense of the word, the more accurate description for obtaining a retail alcohol beverage license focuses predominantly on the application process and includes satisfying a number of qualifications.

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Alcohol can be dangerous in smaller amounts if it is used in combination with the following drugs: certain anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital; sedatives such as barbiturates, tranquilizers, and cannabis; and narcotic pain medications such as codine, opium, heroin, darvocet, and codine derivatives.

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