SLA highlights new law allowing bars & restaurants to buy from local liquor, wine stores

‘Common-sense reform’ eases burden on small businesses & supports neighborhood retailers across New York

√ SLA issues guidance on new law for retailers

Submitted by the New York State Liquor Authority

The New York State Liquor Authority on Monday highlighted a new law allowing bars, restaurants and other “on-premises” establishments to purchase limited quantities of wine or liquor per week from nearby off-premises retail licensees, such as liquor and wine stores. This common-sense reform eases a burden on small businesses by giving these local venues more purchasing flexibility during emergencies, while also supporting neighborhood retailers across New York.

The law was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 5, 2025, and went into effect March 5.

New York State Liquor Authority Chair Lily M. Fan said, “When inventory runs low, this commonsense fix allows on-premises establishments to buy six bottles per week from a local liquor store and continue service. New York’s restaurant, tavern and bar operators are our agency’s largest constituency. Collectively, they are the state’s largest number of small businesses and is the state’s largest employer. Their success is the state’s abundance. It is our pride and joy to be able to provide technical support in passing this law.

“We sincerely thank Gov. Hochul, Sen. (James) Skoufis and Assembly member (Al) Stirpe for their leadership in continuing to modernize New York’s alcoholic beverage control laws and support the Empire State’s vibrant hospitality industry.”

Bars and restaurants sometimes run out of a particular wine or spirit in the middle of a service. Previously, bars and restaurants were unable to immediately replenish those bottles outside of arranging for a delivery of the out-of-stock products from their wholesaler, leading to lost sales.

Under this new law, bars, restaurants and any establishment licensed for on-premises consumption can purchase up to six bottles total per week of wine or liquor from a liquor store or wine shop. Off-premises retail licensees are also limited to selling up to six bottles per week to bars and restaurants. Both on-premises and off-premises licensees must keep records of each transaction and make them available for inspection by the New York State Liquor Authority. Guidance for retailers is available on the SLA website.

Skoufis said, "Restaurants and taverns are critical to the economic vitality and character of our communities. We should be doing everything we can to support small business owners, and I'm grateful to all of our partners who helped get this reform across the finish line. As gratifying as it was to see this legislation signed into law, it's even better seeing it go into effect and start to provide real relief."

Stirpe said, “As retail-to-retail goes in effect, we’re helping make the biggest of differences for the smallest of businesses. A reality for many small bars and restaurants is simply the lack of storage and capital for large quantities of alcohol, which reduces revenue and disappoints the customer when liquor supplies run out. To address this problem, we listened, took action, and removed this unnecessary burden for our local establishments to allow them to operate more efficiently. I am proud to have spearheaded retail-to-retail through the Legislature with Sen. Skoufis and expect that this new law will help our smallest restaurants and taverns thrive.”

New York State Restaurant Association President and CEO Melissa Fleischut said, “In 2022 and 2023, I was honored to serve on the commission to study reform of the alcoholic beverage control law. The commission made numerous recommendations for ways to update these laws and, during the past few years, the people here today have worked hard to turn those recommendations into policy, with retail-to-retail being the most recent example. It's so important to continuously examine and update these laws to eliminate red tape for today’s hospitality industry.”

Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association Executive Director Scott Wexler said, "This new law allowing restaurants and taverns to purchase up to six bottles each week from a liquor store solves a practical problem for our members in a commonsense way. We’re grateful for the leadership and perseverance of Sen. Skoufis, Assembly man Stirpe, Chair Fan and Gov. Hochul in getting this new bill enacted into law. We look forward to working with them to advance a broad ABC modernization agenda that is sensible, reasonable, balanced, and provides benefits for communities throughout the state.”

New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge Association President Sandra Jaquez said, “Allowing restaurants to purchase wine and liquor from nearby retailers in an emergency is a game-changer for small businesses. When we run out, we don’t just lose a drink sale. We risk losing the customer. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Hochul, Chair Fan, Sen. Skoufis and Assembly member Stirpe, this commonsense change gives restaurants the flexibility they need to keep serving their communities. We look forward to continuing our work with partners in government to further modernize New York’s ABC laws so they better serve small businesses and customers alike.”