Ohio liquor license types, in plain words

Beer to go, store (C-1)

Permit C-1 may be issued to the owner or operator of a retail store to sell beer in containers and not for consumption on the premises where sold in original containers having a capacity of not more than five and one-sixth gallons.

Gas stations, groceries and drive-thrus; carryout beer only. The most common Ohio filing.

Full bar until 2:30 a.m., restaurant or bar (D-5)

Permit D-5 may be issued to the owner or operator of a retail food establishment or a food service operation licensed pursuant to Chapter 3717. of the Revised Code that operates as a restaurant for purposes of this chapter to sell beer and any intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold, and to sell the same products in the same manner and amounts not for consumption on the premises where sold as may be sold by holders of D-1 and D-2 permits.

The full-service bar and restaurant permit. Quota-limited by population, so a new one is a real opening or a transfer.

Beer on premises, bar or restaurant (D-1)

Permit D-1 may be issued to the owner or operator of a hotel, of a retail food establishment or a food service operation licensed pursuant to Chapter 3717. of the Revised Code that operates as a restaurant for purposes of this chapter, or of a club, amusement park, drugstore, lunch stand, boat, or vessel, to sell beer at retail either in glass or container, for consumption on the premises where sold; and to sell beer at retail in other receptacles or in original containers having a capacity of not more than five and one-sixth gallons not for consumption on the premises where sold.

Draft and bottled beer at the table. On its own a beer-only spot; with a D-2 and D-3, the beer half of a full bar.

Wine and mixed drinks to go, store (C-2)

Permit C-2 may be issued to the owner or operator of a retail store to sell wine in sealed containers only and not for consumption on the premises where sold in original containers.

Carryout wine and bottled cocktails at a store; usually filed alongside a C-1.

Private club, members only (D-4)

Permit D-4 may be issued to a club that has been in existence for three years or more prior to the issuance of the permit to sell beer and any intoxicating liquor to its members only, in glass or container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

Lodges, veterans' posts and country clubs; members and their guests.

Wine and mixed drinks on premises (D-2)

Permit D-2 may be issued to the owner or operator of a hotel, of a retail food establishment or a food service operation licensed pursuant to Chapter 3717. of the Revised Code that operates as a restaurant for purposes of this chapter, or of a club, boat, or vessel, to sell cider, wine, and prepared and bottled cocktails, cordials, and other mixed beverages manufactured and distributed by holders of A-4 and B-4 permits at retail, either in glass or container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

Wine by the glass and bottled cocktails; no spirits by the drink without a D-3.

Spirits by the drink until 1 a.m. (D-3)

Permit D-3 may be issued to the owner or operator of a hotel, of a retail food establishment or a food service operation licensed pursuant to Chapter 3717. of the Revised Code that operates as a restaurant for purposes of this chapter, or of a club, boat, or vessel, to sell spirituous liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass or from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

The spirits permit for a bar that closes at 1 a.m.; a D-3A stretches it to 2:30.

Spirits until 2:30 a.m., add-on to a D-3 (D-3A)

Permit D-3a may be issued to the holder of a D-3 permit whenever the holder's place of business is operated after one a.m. and spirituous liquor is sold or consumed after that hour.

Later hours on a bar that already pours; not a new account.

Full bar, hotel or motel (D-5A)

Permit D-5a may be issued either to the owner or operator of a hotel or motel ... or to the owner or operator of a restaurant specified under this section, to sell beer and any intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

A hotel's bar and restaurant.

Full bar inside an enclosed mall (D-5B)

Permit D-5b may be issued to the owner, operator, tenant, lessee, or occupant of an enclosed shopping center to sell beer and intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

A restaurant or bar in a mall, outside the D-5 quota.

Full bar, small-town restaurant outside the quota (D-5I)

Permit D-5i may be issued to the owner or operator of a retail food establishment or a food service operation licensed under Chapter 3717. of the Revised Code ... that meets all of the following requirements ... to sell beer and any intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

A restaurant that cleared the investment and seating tests to pour outside its town's D-5 quota; a real opening.

Full bar, community entertainment district (D-5J)

The D-5j permit shall be issued only within a community entertainment district ... to sell beer and intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

A restaurant or bar in a designated entertainment district; issued outside the quota, so nearly always a new opening.

Full bar, revitalization district (D-5L)

Permit D-5l may be issued to the owner or the operator of a retail food establishment or a food service operation licensed under Chapter 3717. of the Revised Code ... within a revitalization district ... to sell beer and any intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold.

Like a D-5J, for a designated revitalization district; a new opening.

Sunday sales, add-on (D-6)

Except as otherwise provided in divisions (B) to (K) of this section, permit D-6 shall be issued to the holder of an A-1-A, A-2, A-2f, A-3a, A-5, C-2, D-2, D-3, D-3a, D-4, D-4a, D-5, D-5a, D-5b, D-5c, D-5d, D-5e, D-5f, D-5g, D-5h, D-5i, D-5j, D-5k, D-5l, D-5m, D-5n, D-5o, or D-7 permit to allow sale under that permit on Sunday.

Rides on a permit the business already holds; not a new account on its own.

Brewery or winery taproom, full pour (A-1-A)

Permit A-1-A may be issued to the holder of an A-1, A-1c, A-2, A-2f, or A-3a permit to sell beer and any intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass or from a container ...

A producer opening a bar on its own premises; buys glassware and a POS like any bar.

Small brewery (A-1c)

Permit A-1c may be issued to a manufacturer ... to manufacture beer and sell beer products in bottles or containers for home use and to retail and wholesale permit holders.

A craft brewery; the taproom, if any, files an A-1-A.

Winery (A-2)

Permit A-2 may be issued to a manufacturer to manufacture wine from grapes, fruits, or other agricultural products ...

A winery; tasting-room pours come with the permit.

Nonprofit event, temporary (F-2)

The division of liquor control may issue an F-2 permit to an association or corporation, or to a recognized subordinate lodge, chapter, or other local unit of an association or corporation, to sell beer or intoxicating liquor by the individual drink at an event to be held on premises located in a political subdivision or part thereof where the sale of beer or intoxicating liquor, but not spirituous liquor, on that day is otherwise permitted by law.

A gala or festival bar for up to four days; not a venue. New F permits no longer enter the feed.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Carrier, hauls alcohol (H)

Permit H may be issued for a fee of three hundred dollars to a for-hire motor carrier who holds a license issued by the public utilities commission to transport beer, intoxicating liquor, and alcohol, or any of them, in this state for delivery or use in this state.

A trucking permit; nobody pours under it. New H permits no longer enter the feed.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Brewery or small winery shipping to consumers (S-1)

The division of liquor control may issue an S-1 permit to a person that manufactures beer or less than two hundred fifty thousand gallons of wine per year.

A direct-to-door shipping permit, often an out-of-state producer. New S permits no longer enter the feed.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.