Licensing Board
We grant and regulate various types of alcohol and food licenses for restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments in Boston. We also hold hearings on violations and license applications. Learn more about the Licensing Board.
View all Licensing Board advisories
- Pay for your Alcohol, Package Store, Common Victualler, and Entertainment licenses online. The license number (for example, LB-###### or CAL-######) is located at the top right of your license or renewal application. Verify the total amount before paying!
- Reminder for Renewals: Don't forget to obtain valid copies of the Certificates of Inspection (CI) as they are required for your license renewals. Inspectors are at located at the Department of Inspectional Services (1010 Mass. Ave.) from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to pay for the CI then contact your inspector to schedule an inspection. Find your inspector online. Once your inspection passes, send an email to the following people and they can send you a scanned copy of the updated Certificate. megan.baker@boston.gov, melissa.darosa@boston.gov and silvia.rivera@boston.gov.
- Service Dog Policy: Licensees may post this policy at their establishments. Details regarding service and assistance animals may be found on the Mass.gov website.
Contact
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 809Boston, MA 02201-2035 -
Office hours by AppointmentMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -
Alcohol Petition Online Form
For alcohol-related petitions and transactions, submit your application through the Licensing Board's new online form. You may email alcohol@boston.gov with questions.
2023 license renewals
If your licensed premise has any seats, the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) is requiring all licensees to get a valid Inspection Certificate. Invoices are mailed and emailed for the building permits two months before the expiration date.
If you need an invoice or to schedule an inspection, please contact your building inspector. There is a list online of all the inspectors' contact information, including phone and email. The best time to schedule an appointment for inspection is at 1010 Mass. Avenue (5th floor) at 8 - 9 a.m. and 3 - 4 p.m. when the inspectors are in the office. Once your inspection has passed, send an email to the following people and they can send you a scanned copy of the updated Certificate: megan.baker@boston.gov, melissa.darosa@boston.gov and silvia.rivera@boston.gov
Please note: To completely submit your renewal application, you will be required to submit an application on the below application links and also submit payment online. Please VERIFY the total amounts before submitting the payment as we have seen issues with some browsers and licensees have overpaid for a license.
| License Type (Click for instructions) | Renewal Period | Online Renewal Form | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Victualler (No Alcohol) 2023 | October 1, 2022 - October 31, 2022 (Late fee: Double current bill) | RenewCV@boston.gov | |
| Lodging House 2022-2023 |
April 1, 2022 - April 30, 2022 (Late fee: $10/month) |
RenewLodging@boston.gov | |
| Pool/Billiard 2023 |
October 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 (Late fee: $10/month) |
RenewAlcohol@boston.gov | |
| Alcoholic Beverages §12 2023 |
November 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 (Cannot be late per Mass General Law) |
RenewAlcohol@boston.gov | |
| Package Stores §15 2023 |
November 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 (Cannot be late per Mass General Law) |
RenewAlcohol@boston.gov | |
| Innholder (No alcohol) 2023 |
April 1, 2022 - April 30, 2022 (Late fee: $10/month) |
RenewAlcohol@boston.gov | |
| BYOB 2023 |
October 1, 2022 - October 30, 2022 (Late fee: Double current bill) |
RenewAlcohol@boston.gov | |
| Entertainment 2023 |
November 1, 2022 - December 12, 2022 (Late fee: $50/month) |
Entertainment@boston.gov |
Hearing Information
Licensing Board hearings are typically held during the first and last week of the month at either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. You may contact the Board to verify the upcoming hearing dates at LicensingBoard@boston.gov.
- Violation hearings: Tuesdays
- Transactional (application) hearings: Wednesdays
- Voting hearings: Thursdays
Upcoming Hearing Dates
-
November 1 (Violation),
-
November 2 (Transactional)
-
November 3 (Voting)
-
November 15 (Violation)
-
November 16 (Transactional)
-
November 17 (Voting)
-
November 23 - No hearings
-
November 30 - No hearings
- December 13 (Violation)
- December 14 (Transactional)
- December 15 (Voting)
- January 3 (Violation)
- January 4 (Transactional)
- January 5 (Voting)
- January 24 (Violation)
- January 25 (Transactional)
- January 26 (Voting)
- January 31 (Violation)
- February 1 (Transactional)
- February 2 (Voting)
- February 14 (Violation)
- February 15 (Transactional)
- February 16 (Voting)
- March 7 (Violation)
- March 8 (Transactional)
- March 9 (Voting)
- March 28 (Violation)
- March 29 (Transactional)
- March 30 (Voting)
Licensing Board information
The Licensing Board grants and regulates various types of alcohol and food licenses for restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments in Boston.
Licensing Board information