New Jersey Liquor License Definitions

Types of Liquor Licenses Available in the State of New Jersey

1. Plenary Retail Consumption License (“33”). This license is authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises by the glass or other open receptacle AND allows the sale of alcoholic beverages in original containers for consumption off the licensed premises. Such sales of packaged goods, however, may only take place from the public barroom, and the packaged goods may only be displayed for sale on the perimeter walls, unless the floor plan has been approved by the A.B.C. Director.
No other mercantile or commercial activity may take place on the licensed premises except for certain activities as a restaurant or the sale of snack and certain other items enumerated in the statute.

2. Plenary Retail Consumption License with “BROAD PACKAGE PRIVILEGE (“32”). This license is another Plenary Retail Consumption License except the sale of package goods is not restricted to the public barroom.


3. Plenary Retail Distribution License (“44”). This license permits the sale of alcoholic beverages in original containers for consumption off the licensed premises (package goods)
Other mercantile or commercial activity may take place on the licensed premises unless it is prohibited by municipal ordinance.


4. Hotel / Motel License (“36”). This license is a Plenary Retail Consumption License issued to a hotel or motel with 100 or more guest sleeping rooms. It is an exemption to the population restrictions. The license may only be used in connection with a facility that meets the 100 room condition.


5. Theater License (“37”). This license is a Plenary Retail Consumption License which may be issued to a non-profit corporation which conducts musical or theatrical performances in a theater with seating capacity of 1,000 or more guests. It is an exemption to the population restrictions. This license authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption during performances and for two hours immediately preceding and following performances.


6. Club License (“31”). A “Club License” is one that is issued by a municipality to a corporation, association or organization that is non-profit and operating for benevolent, charitable, fraternal, social, religious, recreational, athletic, or similar purposes.
The club license authorizes the club to sell and serve alcoholic beverages but only for immediate consumption on the licensed premises and only to bona fide club members and their guests. NO ONE ELSE MAY BE SERVED.