Aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses looking to serve spirits in the City of Milwaukee will find themselves navigating a straightforward yet crucial process to secure a liquor license. The City of Milwaukee offers various types of liquor licenses to accommodate a wide range of establishments. Whether you’re planning to open a brewery, tavern, or restaurant, understanding the application process is essential.
Milwaukee categorizes liquor licenses into different classes, each catering to specific business models. Common license types include Class A, B, and C licenses, each with its own set of regulations and permissions. Class A licenses are typically issued to liquor stores, while Class B licenses cover establishments like taverns and bars. Class C licenses are reserved for restaurants, allowing them to serve alcoholic beverages with meals. It’s crucial to determine the appropriate license type for your business before beginning the application process.
Before diving into the application, it is important to conduct thorough research on the specific requirements for your chosen license type. Familiarizing yourself with local regulations, zoning laws, and any additional conditions that may apply will prove helpful throughout the process. It is important to reach out to the alderperson of the district where the business is located to open up the line of communication and allows the alderperson to voice their opinions on the operation of your business.
You can obtain the necessary application forms from the City Clerk’s office or website. You must provide accurate and detailed information about your business, ownership structure, and any additional documentation required, such as floor plans or lease agreements. Depending on the license type, you may be required to post a public notice of your intent to apply for a liquor license. This ensures transparency and gives the community an opportunity to voice any concerns. Once your application is complete and submitted to the City Clerk’s office along with the required fees, you should expect background checks for all individuals associated with the business. This includes owners, managers, and anyone with a financial interest in the establishment. Be prepared to provide fingerprints and consent for these checks.
The licensing division will assign your application to a specialist for review who will check to make sure all necessary information is collected. From there, it will go before the Licenses Committee to review the application, and potentially call the business to a public hearing to hear opinions from the community members and neighborhood stakeholders. Once the Licenses Committee makes their recommendation to the Common Council on the license application, the Common Council will review your application, and if everything meets the necessary criteria, they may grant approval.
Securing a liquor license in Milwaukee is a vital step in establishing a successful business in this bustling city.
