Recently enacted House Bill 1335 (HB 1335) makes significant administrative changes to the process for obtaining, and maintaining, alcohol and tobacco licenses in Florida....more
Recently proposed Florida legislation, HB 1053, seeks to increase the distance requirement between businesses providing on-premise consumption of alcohol and both schools and religious centers....more
Looking for a lottery ticket that could win you a highly coveted and valuable liquor license? If so, and you have $100 to spare, then you too can apply for the state’s “quota” liquor license lottery....more
Until recently, Florida restaurants needed to maintain 2,500 square feet of service area and be able to serve meals to 150 persons at one time (i.e., 150 or more patron seats on the premises) to hold a non-quota full-service...more
On June 29, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed HB 1647 allowing smaller restaurants to be eligible for Special Food Service (4COP SFS) liquor licenses. Owners with businesses and properties that fall within the Orlando Main...more
Want a margarita with your Mexican dinner to-go? Then you’re in luck. What started out as a COVID-era ease on businesses was signed into law yesterday. CS/SB 148, a bill that allows restaurants with liquor licenses to...more
On July 1, 2020, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued Amended Emergency Order 2020-09 to provide additional detail about when, and under what circumstances, vendors may sell alcoholic...more
7/4/2020
/ Alcohol Beverage Control ,
Amended Rules ,
Bars ,
Business & Professions Code ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Orders ,
Florida ,
Public Safety ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Social Distancing ,
Vendors ,
Wine & Alcohol
On June 26, 2020, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued Emergency Order 2020-09, which orders “vendors who derive more than 50% of gross revenue” from on-premises alcohol sales to suspend the...more
6/29/2020
/ Business Closures ,
Business Interruption ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Florida ,
Public Health ,
State and Local Government ,
Virus Testing ,
Wine & Alcohol
Following the lead of Governor DeSantis, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has retracted the City of Orlando’s prohibition on the sale of all alcohol for on premises consumption as it relates to restaurants....more
On March 23, 2018, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 1447 into law, paving the way for easier access to alcoholic beverage licenses for restaurants located in certain parts of downtown Orlando....more
Changes to Florida’s Beverage Laws have drawn attention and controversy over recent years as groups ranging from small craft breweries to major retail vendors have lobbied for legislative amendments to the State’s...more
7/5/2016
/ Beer ,
Breweries ,
Distributors ,
Licenses ,
Licensing Rules ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Retail Market ,
Retailers ,
Tax Assessment ,
Tobacco ,
Tobacco Regulations ,
Wine & Alcohol