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New York Liquor Authority Mapping System

New York liquor license holders, attorneys and communities are closely watching the Liquor Authority Mapping System (LAMP) launched by the State Liquor Authority. So far, the jury is still out on whether the benefits of transparency outweigh the concerns of license holders.

New transparency in New York liquor licensing

Attorneys, license holders, and communities generally agree on one thing: the transparency provided by the mapping system may be a helpful planning tool for those hoping to open businesses and those who make licensing decisions. LAMP is a web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) that anyone can access through the New York State website. It enables users to see every existing and pending liquor license in the state, including:

  • Restaurants
  • Bars and clubs
  • Liquor stores
  • Beer sales and wholesalers

The system also allows users to search, visualize and analyze where that licensee or potential licensee is in relation to:

  • Schools
  • Churches
  • Police precinct boundaries
  • Community boards
  • Other license holders

Before LAMP, obtaining such information required a lot of time-consuming legwork and sometimes required filing a Freedom of Information request.

Will transparency become a public relations nightmare for licensees?

The concern for license holders, as pointed out by the president of the New York Restaurant Association, is that the system also lists disciplinary actions taken against the license holder. Licensees and liquor licensing attorneys in New York worry that the information may be misunderstood or misused. Take, for example, this scenario: A fight begins in a bar. The bartender tells them to take it outside. Police are called and issue a ticket to the bar for fighting on the premises (outside but on the property). The bar owner decides it is easier and less costly to pay the fine rather than fight it. The LAMP system displays a fine for fighting on premises, which discourages potential patrons.

Contact us

At The Law Office of Stacy L. Weiss, PLLC, we fully explain the process of liquor license acquisition for your business and ensure that it goes smoothly. Call us today at 212.521.0828 or contact us online to arrange for a free initial consultation at our Manhattan location. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and evenings by appointment.

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