Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The Best Ways To Avoid A Liquor License Violation

By Betty Nelson


Owners of restaurants, bars, grocery and quick shop stores have to apply for licenses before they can sell any kind of alcohol. Many business owners believe it is important for them to get approval because they feel the ability to sell alcohol will significantly increase their profits. Usually a city, such as New Mexico, has to vote on approval, and there are a number of things that go into their decision. The probability of the business committing a liquor license violation is one of them.

Although what is legal in one state may not be legal in another, it is never a good idea to sell alcohol to an underage individual. This is one of the fastest ways to lose your permit. A lot of young people will try to convince business owners they are old enough to purchase beer or wine. They may have identification that looks convincing, but if you have any doubts, you should refuse them service and make them leave your establishment.

One of the rules that has changed over the years is how culpable you can be if you serve or sell to someone who is clearly intoxicated. Most businesses have signs stating they have the right to deny service to anyone. If you knowingly sell a bottle or a drink to someone who has already had too much and the person gets involved in an accident, you might be held liable.

Casinos are one of the exceptions to rules about gambling and alcohol. Gambling is illegal in many states and, unless your licenses state otherwise, you are not allowed to permit slot machines or card games played for money in your establishment. If you have a nightclub and you want to have live entertainment, you will have to petition the city when you initially get licensed.

It should go without saying that your licenses may be in jeopardy if fights break out in your establishment. You may get by with a warning at first, but if this is something that happens frequently, you will probably find your licenses revoked, and it may be difficult to get them back. Illegal drugs and prostitution will immediately result in the revocation of your licenses.

A lot of time bars and restaurants like to run promotions to encourage new business, but offering free drinks as a prize in a contest is not usually a good idea. The state you do business in may not allow it. It may also not allow you to let someone run a bar tab with the promise to pay at the end of the night.

Of course you should never try to get a permit for anyone else. If you decide to remodel your establishment, whether making it bigger or smaller, you will have to get approval and your permit rules may change. Individuals who are convicted of a felony will have licenses revoked. Not complying with law enforcement can also result in a revocation of your permit as well.

Selling alcohol responsibly is as important as drinking it responsibly. Having the ability to offer it to customers can be good for business when you follow the letter of the law.




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