Liquor License FeedMassachusetts liquor license types, in plain words
What each ABCC license or permit allows, in the statute's own words, with a note on who usually holds it. Every filing on the Massachusetts page is labeled this way.
Section 12 all alcohol · Section 15 all alcohol · Section 12 wine and malt · Section 12 general on-premises · Section 12 restaurant · Section 12 wine, malt and cordials · Section 12 club · Section 12 innholder · Section 15 wine and malt · Section 15 package store · Farmer series
Restaurant, beer, wine and spirits (Section 12 all alcohol)
A common victualler duly licensed under chapter one hundred and forty to conduct a restaurant ... to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A restaurant with a full bar.
Package store, beer, wine and spirits to go (Section 15 all alcohol)
licenses for the sale at retail of such alcoholic beverages or wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 15)
A liquor store or market selling sealed bottles to go.
Restaurant, beer and wine (Section 12 wine and malt)
A common victualler duly licensed under chapter one hundred and forty to conduct a restaurant ... to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A restaurant pouring beer and wine, no spirits.
Bar or venue, beer, wine and spirits (Section 12 general on-premises)
a person may be granted a general on-premise license by the local licensing authorities (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A bar, nightclub or event space that doesn't have to serve meals.
Restaurant applying to serve alcohol (Section 12)
A common victualler duly licensed under chapter one hundred and forty to conduct a restaurant ... to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A Somerville restaurant's application; the city's record doesn't say whether it's beer and wine or a full bar.
Restaurant, beer, wine and cordials (Section 12 wine, malt and cordials)
A common victualler duly licensed under chapter one hundred and forty to conduct a restaurant ... to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A restaurant pouring beer, wine and liqueurs, without a full liquor license.
Members' club, beer, wine and spirits (Section 12 club)
to sell such beverages to its members only (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A private club, a veterans' post or an airline lounge.
Hotel, beer, wine and spirits (Section 12 innholder)
to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 12)
A hotel's bars, restaurant and room service.
Store, beer and wine to go (Section 15 wine and malt)
licenses for the sale at retail of such alcoholic beverages or wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 15)
A market, convenience store or wine shop selling sealed beer and wine.
Package store applying to sell to go (Section 15)
licenses for the sale at retail of such alcoholic beverages or wines and malt beverages (M.G.L. c. 138, § 15)
A Somerville store's application to sell sealed bottles.
Brewery, winery or distillery (farmer series)
A farmer-brewer may sell malt beverages or malt beverage products: (M.G.L. c. 138, § 19C)
A small brewery, winery or distillery that makes its own, often with a tasting room.
Source: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12, https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section15, https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section19C, checked 2026-11-04.
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