Effective February 18, 2026, New York is rolling out an entirely new category of liquor license: the For-Profit Club License under Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 64-f. The license was created by Chapter 342 of the Laws of 2025 and formally interpreted by the SLA in a January 2026 advisory. This license fills a long-standing gap between traditional bars and private membership-based venues—and it comes with high fees, strict eligibility rules, and serious compliance obligations. Previously, only not-for-profit corporations were eligible for club licenses.
If you operate (or are planning) a social club, athletic club, communal workspace, or corporate dining facility, this new license may finally provide a clear legal path to serve alcohol—or allow BYOB at your premises.
Below is what business owners should understand before jumping in.
What Is the For-Profit Club License?
The for-profit club license authorizes the sale and service (including BYOB) of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption only to members in good standing and their guests.
Unlike a restaurant or tavern license, alcohol cannot be sold to the general public. Controlled access is central to this license category, and the State Liquor Authority (SLA) will closely examine how the club/business actually operates.
The club may engage a management company for food and beverage operations and add the management company as a co-licensee on the license.
Who Is This License Designed For?
The statute limits eligibility to establishments operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes:
Social or recreational clubs Athletic clubs
Patriotic, political, or benevolent organizations
Communal workspaces Corporate dining establishments
This is not a workaround for opening a traditional bar with a membership card. Businesses that look, feel, and operate like public bars risk denial—or worse, enforcement action later.
The 100-Member Rule
For most for-profit clubs, the requirement is clear: at least 100 bona fide members are required.
To count, members must:
Be admitted in accordance with club bylaws;
Pay annual dues in a bona fide manner; and
Appear on a current membership list with name and address.
You can apply before hitting 100 members and may even receive conditional approval, but no license will be issued until the SLA receives proof that the 100-member threshold has been met.
Importantly, this is not a one-time requirement. Clubs must maintain at least 100 members throughout the license term, and failure to do so can result in disciplinary action.
The Corporate Dining Exception
There is one significant—and narrow—exception to the membership rule.
A for-profit club operated solely as a corporate dining establishment is exempt from the 100-member and dues requirements.
To qualify:
Access must be limited to employees, clients, invitees, and guests of the corporate entity;
The business must maintain records demonstrating controlled access; and
Any third-party food or beverage management agreements must be disclosed to the SLA.
This exception does not apply if the space is open to the public or used as a general social venue. Expect scrutiny if the corporate dining designation is stretched too far.
Cost of the License
The for-profit club license is one of the most expensive on-premises licenses in New York.
Annual license fee: $20,000
License term: 1 year
Included: One bar or service counter
Additional bars are allowed—but each comes at a cost:
Up to two additional bars
$20,000 per additional bar, per year
This pricing structure alone will make the license impractical for many startups unless alcohol service is core to the business model.
Temporary Permits Are Available
Applicants may apply for a temporary retail permit while the full license is under review. This can allow limited alcohol service before final approval and can be obtained as soon as one month
after mailing the application.
However, in New York City—in areas subject to the 500-Foot Law because there are already 3 existing full liquor on-premises licenses within 500 feet of the proposed club license premises—temporary permits come with strict operating conditions, including:
Midnight closing time
Early outdoor area closures
No outdoor music
Indoor background music only (no DJs, live music, dancing, or karaoke).
Temporary permits are not guaranteed and can be delayed by hearings, community board notice requirements, or prior enforcement history at the location (even under prior operators).
Renewal Is Not Automatic
The license renews annually, but renewal depends on continued compliance.
At renewal:
Clubs do not need to resubmit a full membership list; and
They must affirm under penalties of perjury that they continue to meet the 100-member requirement (unless corporate dining).
If the SLA determines the club does not meet eligibility standards at renewal time, the renewal will be denied.
Compliance Matters—A Lot
Holding a for-profit club license does not reduce compliance obligations. Licensees remain subject all regulations regarding on-premises retail licenses including:
The 200-Foot and 500-Foot Laws
Tied-house prohibitions
Unlimited drink restrictions
Character and source-of-funds review
Local zoning and building approvals
Violations during the license term can jeopardize both renewal and future licensing.
Bottom Line: Opportunity With Strings Attached
The for-profit club license creates new opportunities for membership-based, experience-driven
businesses to serve alcohol legally—but it is not a shortcut to opening a bar.
High fees, strict membership rules, and ongoing compliance requirements mean this license works best for:
Established clubs with strong membership and revenues
Corporate dining concepts with controlled access
Well-capitalized operators who plan for scrutiny from day one
Before filing, businesses should carefully evaluate whether their operations, finances, and governance structure truly fit this new category. They should also carefully review their membership rules and members to ensure they have no prohibited members (ex. tied house restrictions).
If you any questions about the new license and whether your club may qualify, reach out to Tracy at Tjong@EvansFox.com.
Tracy Jong is a Senior Attorney at Evans Fox LLP with 30 years of experience focusing her practice in business law, intellectual property and licensing for alcohol and cannabis. Tracy Jong is a member of the New York Bar and is a registered attorney at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She can be reached at Tjong@EvansFox.com.
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The content has been prepared for informational purposes only; it should not be construed as legal advice, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel.