Types of Liquor Licenses in Florida

Opening a bar or restaurant in any state can be a complicated process and involve many steps. Each state, county, and even city may have their own requirements for business owners to go through. If the establishment decides to serve alcohol, that requires an even more extensive process to receive a liquor license.

There are several different types of liquor licenses available for Florida businesses that are issued by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Bureau of Licensing. Unfortunately, the process can be extremely difficult to comprehend, when first thinking about acquiring a license, because knowing what type will be needed takes some figuring out.

These are 4 Types of Liquor Licences in Florida:

Below, we will explain, in a little more detail, types of liquor licenses in Florida, and what each includes.

4COP-SRX Liquor License

This type of license demands that restaurants and bars meet certain requirements to qualify to sell beer, wine, and spirits for their patrons to consume on-premise only, and in connection with a bonafide restaurant. The state of Florida does not have a limit on the number of these licenses that they give out.

There are several criteria that the applicants must meet, that include:

• Be of at least 2,500 square feet and a max of 5,000 square feet of floor.
• Space must be established under permanent cover.
• Maintain seating and equipment for seating, and serving of 150-250 customers at one time.
• Must bring in at least 51% of gross revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Customers must be able to order from the full menu, at all times alcohol is served.
• No alcohol can be sold in packages.

4COP-Quota Liquor License

For restaurants that do not meet the criteria of the 4COP-SRX license stated above or for by bars, nightclubs, taverns, and other establishments that do not meet the criteria either. The quota aspect is determined and based on population needs, and the number for the allowed licenses is increased when a county’s population increases by 7,500 residents.

The unique aspect of this license is that applicants can purchase it from the open market (license currently held by an existing holder) or win through a yearly lottery process for new applicants.

2COP Liquor License

This license is typically used by small restaurants that wish to add beer and wine to their menu. Establishments with a 2COP license are allowed to sell both beer and wine for on-premise consumption.

Also, under this license, establishments are allowed to sell packaged beer and wine in sealed containers. There is no set number of licenses that can be issued by the county, which differs from the quota structure with the 4COP-Quota license.

2APS Liquor License

This license doesn’t apply to bars and restaurants but is geared more towards convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. Licensees are able to sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption.

Whether you plan on opening a restaurant or bar/nightclub, you are going to need to figure out which Florida liquor license types or type you need, and criteria that your establishment will require. Once you’re up and running, one of the biggest keys to success is going to be able to minimize high-risk areas within your operations.

Glimpse has created a perfect solution for bars and restaurants, to help capture more revenue and eliminate unnecessary costs. By syncing with your pre-existing POS system, Glimpse provides image-accompanied audited reports to management, that help identify areas of high-risk in your SOP’s, such as POS transaction accuracy and employee behavior.

To learn more about how Glimpse can help improve your restaurant or bar’s revenue, visit https://glimpsecorp.com/case-studies/ and learn more about the clients that we’ve helped already!