Reviewed September 2026 · By www.liquorlicensebrokers.com
Start with two questions: Will customers drink alcohol at your premises or take it elsewhere? Do you need beer and wine only, or distilled spirits too? California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) defines the privileges of each liquor license. A city or county may separately regulate the site through zoning or a conditional use permit.
Common retail liquor license types
| Type | Typical business | Core privilege |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Market or store | Off-sale beer and wine |
| 21 | Liquor store or market | Off-sale beer, wine, and distilled spirits |
| 41 | Restaurant | On-sale beer and wine at a bona fide eating place |
| 47 | Restaurant | On-sale beer, wine, and distilled spirits at a bona fide eating place |
| 48 | Bar or nightclub | On-sale beer, wine, and distilled spirits at a public premises |
Off-sale versus on-sale
“Off-sale” means customers purchase alcohol to consume away from the licensed premises. Types 20 and 21 are common store liquor licenses. “On-sale” refers to consumption at the premises. The restaurant types, 41 and 47, carry eating-place requirements; Type 48 is a public-premises liquor license commonly associated with bars. The precise privileges and conditions matter more than the shorthand label.
Type 41 versus Type 47
Both are restaurant liquor licenses. A Type 41 covers beer and wine; a Type 47 includes distilled spirits. ABC requires a bona fide eating place, suitable kitchen facilities, and actual, substantial meal sales for these categories. If your plan changes from beer and wine to a full bar, do not assume a Type 41 automatically converts to Type 47. Review the application route, local approval, and availability first.
Type 20 versus Type 21
A Type 20 fits off-sale beer and wine. A Type 21 adds spirits. If a market is taking over a former liquor store, the old liquor license type alone does not settle the new operator’s zoning status. Confirm the proposed use with the local planning office and the ABC district office.
What else should you check?
- Premises: Identify the exact area where sales or service will occur.
- Local land use: Ask whether the city or county requires a conditional use permit or other approval.
- Availability: Some general liquor licenses are quota-limited; obtaining a liquor license can involve a transfer or ABC priority drawing.
- Conditions: Existing liquor license conditions and local rules can affect hours, operations, and transfer plans.
See ABC’s complete liquor license type descriptions for the official privileges, and ABC’s licensing FAQ for common distinctions. We can help assess which type fits your project and what the transfer or application may involve.