Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Helping Weddings, Celebrations and Other Off-Site Events Secure Alcoholic Beverage Permits

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation (S.9049/A.10176) to modernize the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and authorize the New York State Liquor Authority to grant eligible catering facilities a license to serve liquor at weddings, banquets or other functions held at locations off-site from the catering facility.

"Let's raise a glass to newlyweds, whose love and mutual affection are an inspiration to us all," Governor Hochul said. "By signing this new law, we are taking a significant step to support caterers and other small businesses — while helping married couples plan the celebration they've always dreamed of. I'm proud to sign this bill into law and will keep fighting for our hospitality sector and all small businesses."

Legislation (S.9049/A.10176) amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to create a new license for catering businesses without dining facilities to serve alcoholic beverages at the location where the event is taking place. Many catering businesses throughout the state do not have a facility that meets the principal requirements to apply for a catering license - a kitchen and a dining or banquet hall with the ability to serve and seat at least 50 people. Therefore, these facilities needed to apply for temporary permits that would only allow them only to serve beer, wine and cider at the off-site events. With this legislation, caterers that have a facility with a kitchen, but not the capacity to seat 50 people, can now apply for an off-premises catering license, allowing them to serve liquor in addition to beer, wine and cider at the location of the event.

State Senator Anna M. Kaplan said, "New York's antiquated and confusing liquor laws make it nearly impossible for small catering businesses to get off the ground without a big investment in their own event space, and at a time when so many of these businesses are still struggling from the pandemic era, they deserve a break from onerous and costly regulations. I'm grateful for Governor Hochul signing my simple bill that will support small catering businesses and give consumers more options for hosting special events, and I'm thankful for her leadership to improve New York's small business climate."

Assemblymember Fred Thiele said, "The enactment of this measure will modernize provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law that will help promote greater business opportunities for the off-premise catering industry. I was pleased to work with the State Liquor Authority and Senator Anna Kaplan on this effort to make our local small businesses a more viable and essential part of our economy. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this important measure into law."