City or town-issued license to sell alcohol on premises (full liquor, beer & wine, or wine & malt). Approved by the local Licensing Board with final approval from the MA Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC).

Who needs it

Any MA restaurant or bar serving alcohol on premises.

How to get it

Apply through your city or town's Licensing Board. Process includes application, hearing, and ABCC review. In Boston/Cambridge, the cap on full liquor licenses means most are bought on the secondary market.

Cost

Annual fee: $1K–$5K depending on city. Secondary-market full liquor license in Boston/Cambridge: $200K–$450K. Beer/wine licenses are much cheaper or capped at lower amounts.

Where to start

MA Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) ↗Boston Licensing Board ↗