I. THE LICENSING PROCESS
1. What is a license? 2. When does an individual need a license? 3. Does the ABCC issue licenses directly to any segments of the alcoholic beverages industry? 4. Who issues restaurant licenses and package store licenses? 5. How many classifications of retail licenses exist? 6. What are the four categories of retail liquor licenses? 7. How many different types of pouring licenses are there? 8. Are there any qualifications for being granted a retail liquor license? ∙ "Pouring" Licenses under Section 12 ∙ "Package Store" License under Section 15 ∙ "Special License" under Section 14 ∙ Special License under Section 14 for All Alcoholic Beverages ∙ Special License under Section 14 for Wine and/or Malt Beverages, or Both 9. Are license applicants barred from holding a liquor license if they have been convicted of a crime? 10. What is the quota system and on what is it based? 11. How far does an establishment selling alcoholic beverages have to be from a church or school? 12. How long does a licensee have to appeal to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) a decision made by the local licensing authority? 13. What are the most common reasons for license applications being denied or returned without action? 14. How long does a licensee have to appeal a decision made by the ABCC? 15. Can a charity sell alcoholic beverages by auction as a fundraiser? 16. Can a retailer sell alcoholic beverages by auction? 17. Can a charity sell alcoholic beverages other than by auction as a fundraiser? Charity Wine Pouring License Charity Partner Wine Pouring License 18. Can a retailer use his/her license to secure a loan? 19. What are the different kinds of liquor assets/property that can be pledged?
II. OPERATING THE BUSINESS
20. Do LLAs set the hours during which restaurants can serve alcoholic beverages on weekdays? 21. What are the Sunday hours that a package store can be open? 22. What are the Sunday hours that a pouring license can open at? 23. If a restaurant occasionally runs out of a popular item on a busy night, can the manager go to a package store and buy a few bottles to temporarily meet his/her customer's demands? 24. Can an out-of-state supplier/manufacturer (a Certificate of Compliance holder) sell directly to a retailer? 25. Can everyone bring their own beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages into an establishment (so-called “BYOB”)? 26. Can "non-alcoholic beer" be served or sold to persons under twenty-one? 27. Is a person dining alone in a restaurant able to order a pitcher of beer to go along with his/her meal? 28. Is a person dining alone in restaurant able to order a bottle of wine to go along with his/her meal? 29. How old do you have to be to tend bar?
30. What forms of identification are acceptable to prove that someone is twenty one years of age or older, so that person may be served, delivered, or allowed to possess or purchase alcoholic beverages? 31. If a patron is not driving, does it matter how many drinks s/he is served? 32. Is spirit tasting allowed in Massachusetts? 33. Do restaurants, hotels, function halls and package stores need to meet certain requirements while conducting a wine tasting, malt beverages and spirit tastings? 34. Can Section 12 (on-premises) establishments with wine and malt licenses serve cordials and liqueurs?
III. “CLUB" LICENSEES
35. Can "Club Licensees" serve non-members? 36. May Club Licensees restrict, distinguish or discriminate among their membership regarding entering certain areas of the premises? 37. What determines whether a club is distinctly private?
IV. SHIPS AND SHIP CHANDLERS
38. Are there regulations on the serving of alcoholic beverages on a ship? 39. Are passengers restricted in the number of drinks they may possess at any one time on a licensed ship? 40. Can passengers bring their own alcoholic beverages aboard a licensed ship cruising Boston Harbor? 41. May a captain terminate service of alcoholic beverages aboard ship whenever he chooses? 42. May a licensed ship owner ask a beer supplier to sponsor a cruise? 43. Can a licensed ship chandler buy liquor from a package store to fulfill an emergency call from a captain out at sea who is running short of liquor and needs an immediate delivery?
V. FINES, THE BOTTLE BILL,AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
44. Is the ABCC required to accept from a licensee a fine as an offer in compromise in lieu of suspension? 45. Is it legal for me to let my niece and nephew drink beer at my house? I think it’s safer if they do it when I know where they are. 46. Can a retail package store use a coupon to advertise or give a discount in the price of alcoholic beverages? 47. Can a bar, restaurant, or hotel offer a free drink? 48. Can a bar, restaurant, or hotel increase the price for alcoholic beverages during the evenings when they have entertainment? 49. Are containers for wine coolers redeemable under the Bottle Bill? 50. May a retailer require that bottles be washed befo