by M.C. Millman

Legislation was signed on Friday, December 16, modernizing the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and authorizing the New York State Liquor Authority to grant eligible catering facilities a license to serve liquor at weddings, banquets, or other functions held at locations off-site from the catering facility.

The new law is one that takes a significant step to support caterers and other small businesses in the hospitality sector by amending the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to create a new license for catering businesses without dining facilities to serve alcoholic beverages at the location where an event is taking place. 

Previously such businesses were required to have a facility meeting the principal requirements to apply for a catering license - a kitchen and a dining or banquet hall with the ability to serve and seat at least 50 people. Otherwise, they would have to apply for a temporary permit to only serve beer, wine, and cider at off-site events. 

With this legislation, caterers with a facility with a kitchen but not the capacity to seat 50 people can apply for an off-premises catering license, allowing them to serve liquor in addition to beer, wine, and cider at the location of the event.