City of Boston Proposal Would Add 152 Liquor Licenses Over Three Years

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and city councilor Ayanna Pressley introduced a new proposal to bring 152 new liquor licenses to the city over the next three years with a goal of providing a boost to underserved neighborhoods, as WBUR reports.

The city’s coveted liquor license have long been the subject of debate and logistical battles: In 2014, the city approved 25 new licenses each year for three years, with 80 percent restricted geographically and 20 percent able to be sold on the open market. In this new proposal, all licenses would be non-transferable.

The proposal aims “to attract new businesses and restaurants, encourage expansion of current establishments, and support Boston's growing economy,” by offering a new round of licenses, as Curbed notes (Curbed is a sister site of Eater.)

The 125 license will be available over the next three years and will be broken down by neighborhood, with 15 per neighborhood for Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, and Roxbury. The licenses will be a mix of all-alcohol with malt and wine. Additionally, 10 citywide licenses will be available each year, with a limited number going to Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the North End.

Two events areas would be granted all-alcohol licenses under this new proposal: the Lawn on D and the Boston Center for the Arts. The proposal must get approval from the Boston City Council and the state legislature.

• Proposal Would Up Liquor Licenses, Emphasis On Underserved Neighborhoods [WBUR]
• Mayor Walsh and Councilor Pressley Seek Additional Liquor Licenses [Boston.gov]
• Boston Liquor Licenses: Can They Revitalize Neighborhoods? [Curbed]