Various classifications of licenses offered to establishments throughout city of Charleston
A familiar scene can be seen across town on any given weekend.
At 9 p.m. on Friday or Saturday, masses of students begin to shuffle from their houses or residence halls and make their way to the local bars. From Lincoln Avenue to the town square, for live entertainment or simply to socialize, students can be found trying to let loose. However, each of these bars have certain regulations from the city and state they must meet in order to serve the community in a safe and efficient way.
Each business that sells alcohol must obtain a liquor license.
The city of Charleston has approximately 35 liquor licenses, said City Clerk Deborah Muller.
The city has different types of liquor licenses ranging in price from $11,000 to $14,000.
“We have various classifications of licenses, and the ordinances create how many of each there are,” said City Attorney Brian Bower said.
Depending on the establishment, a different license might be required. These establishments include bars, packaged liquor stores, restaurant and clubs.
“The most popular type of license is the restaurant license; Charleston has 14 of these Class D licenses,” Muller said.
The difference in the license depends on sales of the alcohol.
“A restaurant license is for an establishment where consumption of alcohol must be secondary or incidental to the consumption of food that is prepared on the premises,” Bower said.
There are two types of bar licenses: one that sells alcohol for consumption on premises-which is the type of establishment many students visit on the weekends, and one that sells alcohol for consumption off the premise or for carry out.
“The club license is for service organizations who do not receive a profit,” Muller said. “This includes the Elks, the V.F.W. or the Moose Lodge.”
Finally, a packaged liquor license is reserved for an establishment that does not allow consumption on the premises aside from for a very few broad exceptions, Bower said.
“Alcohol can be sold and consumed at the licensed premises 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on every day but Sunday into Monday,” Bower said.
And, if a business is serving alcohol outside of the designated hours, there can be repercussions for the business and the individuals purchasing the alcohol.
“If police drive by a business selling alcohol past 1 a.m., first of all, the people inside can be charged with public possession of alcohol because there is no registered license at that time on the premise,” Bower said. “And, whoever is facilitating the establishment can be charged with a suspension and or fined.”
Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942
