Amended Emergency Order 2020-09

View Executed Order Here

DBPR Amended Emergency Order 2020-09 amends the provisions of DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09, as issued on Friday, June 26, 2020, to effectively order the following:

• vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, but not licensed to offer food service, shall suspend sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, provided that these vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises; and

• vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, and also licensed to offer food service, may continue to operate as restaurants at 50% of seating occupancy for the service of food and beverages to customers seated at tables or bar counters with appropriate social distancing.

Phase 1 Reopening

Governor Desantis Shares Phase One Updates For Reopening Bars and Restaurants

Yesterday at 5:00, Floridians gathered around their TVs, phones, and computers, anxious for news from Governor Desantis about the first steps in opening up the state. Restaurant owners across the state got the news they were hoping for, and are gearing up to welcome guests back and get the drinks flowing again. 

But don’t start preparing for an elaborate grand re-opening. Restaurants will have to follow strict guidelines regarding occupancy during phase one of reopening the state.

DeSantis started his address by recognizing Florida’s most vulnerable population, small businesses, and families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. He discussed how young students have missed their friends, social events, and sporting events, and how high school seniors are having to get creative in how they experience their proms and graduations. He dove into the very real struggle that many families are facing daily: trying to homeschool kids, keep food on the table, apply for unemployment, and adjust to a new schedule and routine that we weren't expecting and we didn’t ask for.

And then, 31 minutes into his speech, DeSantis got right to it. He explained that the process to reopen the state starts with the “small, deliberate, methodical steps  based on consultation with the greatest physicians.” He explained that every phase of reopening will be safe, smart, and step by step. The reopening will happen on May 4th and will exclude Broward. Miami Dade, and Palm Beach counties. 

Restaurants will be allowed to reopen on May 4th The outdoor seating must adhere to appropriate social distancing measures and limit their indoor occupancy to 25% of the buildings occupancy load at one time. This is a small step, and some neighborhood restaurants will have to get creative in their seating arrangements. But it is a safe and deliberate step that gets restaurants moving again, allows members of the community to start connecting again, gets money moving through the economy, and gives servers and other restaurant employees a chance to start making money again. 

At the time of his address, Governor Desantis explained that he and his task force discussed lifting regulations on bars, but decided to wait a little longer on that. Maybe it's because of the close proximity bar patrons have with each other when sitting together at a bar, Governor Desantis didn’t explain his reasoning behind why bars have to wait a little longer to reopen. Although it's not ideal, bar owners will have to wait for just a little longer to start slinging drinks and hosting happy hours again. 

Throughout his address, Desantis mentioned that Florida is to continue to follow social distancing guidelines laid out by the CDC, including limiting social groups to 10 or fewer, recommending face masks, keeping six feet away from people, and being diligent about handwashing. 

Desantis hopes phase one of reopening Florida lasts weeks, not months. He plans to look at the data day by day, hour by hour, and make informed decisions that will keep our population healthy while also getting our economy back up and running.

So there you have it: May 4th, restaurants in the Sunshine State (except a few in South Florida along with a few select counties) can welcome back their guests (25% at a time) and take the first step to get back in business. 

The Scaled Reopening...

We’ve learned a lot over the last few weeks as we’ve navigated this global pandemic; like how to ration toilet paper and what not to do on a Zoom call. Another thing we’ve noticed is that even in the midst of a global outbreak, people are still buying their liquor. They’re pouring their favorite cocktails and enjoying social distancing happy hour on their driveways. They’re hosting virtual dinner cocktail parties and finding ways to shotgun a beer through their masks.

Even though Floridians can get their liquor and enjoy it at home, many are missing the community and connection that comes with enjoying it at their favorite neighborhood bar or restaurant. Birthday parties, bachelorette parties and other celebrations that usually take place in night clubs are being postponed, and party-people are ready to get back to what they do best.

Tomorrow, Governor DeSantis will make an announcement about Florida’s next steps towards reopening. Hopefully we will hear more about when restaurants, bars and clubs can open up again, welcome back their patrons, and start rebuilding the economy.

Liquor License FL - The Simple Solution to Alcoholic Beverage Licensing

Happy Valentines Day!

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Craft distilleries bill advances in House

Craft Distillery Bill Advances in the House

Holly Raschein bill also lets service dogs into tastings.

By Jacob Ogles

A change in law letting distilleries bottle drinks in a wider variety of sizes has cleared its first 

hurdle in the Florida House. Rep. Holly Raschein, a Key West Republican, stressed the 

legislation aims to let more Florida-based distilleries take advantage of market needs. 

The bill (HB 1165) does this by repealing statutes related to wine and cider container 

size limitations and by specifying restaurant patrons may take home a partially consumed 

bottle of wine with the purchase of a meal. The legislation passed in the House Business 

and Professions Subcommittee, where it was one of multiple pieces of legislation aimed at 

lifting restrictions on alcohol businesses. Should the legislation become law, distillers could 

blend bottled spirits together. It would also increase the maximum production threshold for 

craft distilleries from 75,000 to 250,000 gallons and allow up to 75,000 gallons to be sold 

straight from a company’s own gift shop.

It also authorizes the issuance of up to three vendor’s licenses for the sale of  alcoholic beverages on a distillery’s premises. Moreover, it lets distilleries hold  tastings and tours anywhere liquor can legally be sold.

Rep. Wengay Newton, a St. Petersburg Democrat, questioned whether the 

legislation would end up letting distilleries go around existing rules on distribution. 

Raschein stressed that was not the intention of the bill.

Another important part of the bill allows dogs to move around distilleries, something

 that gained the attention of Subcommittee Chair Heather Fitzenhagen. The Fort

 Myers Republican wanted clarity on how that would impact food and beverage health protections.

Raschein noted the legislation would change the law that now forbids dogs from 

being on the premises for distilleries, there still would be restrictions on where 

canines could go. The bill would let service animals be accommodated but still won’t let 

animals on counters where food gets served or prepared and prohibits animals 

from having any contact with any items that come in contact with food. Dog 

waste must be cleaned up immediately, and areas must be kept sanitized in line 

with health regulations. Rep. Matt Willhite, a Palm Beach Democrat, supported the legislation but did 

ask that regulations involving craft alcohol industries be looked at more “holistically.”

To Purchase an alcohol License in Florida please visit www.LiquorLicenseFL.com

Taco Bell's spinoff "Taco Bell Cantina" serving beer and slushy cocktails start to open around Florida!

Taco Bell's spinoff "Taco Bell Cantina"  serving beer and slushy Cocktails starting to open around Florida!

Imagine That, Baja Blast Slushy Cocktails! Dubbed "Twisted Freezes"

Credit to:

Phillip Valys - South Florida Sun Sentinel

Taco Bell Cantina, an upscale version of the franchise that serves alcohol, has opened its first South Florida location at Fort Lauderdale Beach Place. 

Taco Bell Cantina, an alcohol-fueled spinoff of the fast-food giant, has opened its first South Florida location at Fort Lauderdale Beach Place.

The Tex-Mex chain, which soft-opened to the public on Oct. 21 at 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., is planning a grand-opening bash from 5 p.m. Nov. 1 until 11 p.m. Nov. 2 with free swag giveaways, live music, and food and drink samples.

An upscale version of the franchise but without a drive-thru, the industrial-chic Taco Bell Cantina is aimed at college kids and the millennial set. Which means customers can now wash down their steak chalupas and Cool Ranch Doritos Locos tacos with draft beer or “Twisted Freezes,” the restaurant’s phrase for frozen cocktails.

Taco Bell Cantina, has opened its first South Florida location at Fort Lauderdale Beach Place. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

The cantina’s design features communal-style seating with bar stools, an open kitchen with wraparound bar, and a custom menu with sharable appetizers. Customers order from the counter or from touchscreen point-of-sale kiosks.

Twisted Freezes ($6) include margaritas, Baja Blast, Cantina Punch, ginger beer and lemonade, and each can be infused with choice of rum, vodka or tequila. Draft beer ($3-$4) includes Red Stripe, Bud Light, Blue Moon and Havana Lager.

The cantina is one of 43 locations across the country the brand began rolling out in 2015. Naturally, anything from the Taco Bell menu can be ordered, but the cantina also includes sharable nacho boxes ($6.99), including Chicken Enchilada Nacho, Steak and Cheddar Nacho and the Fiesta Taco Salad Nacho.

As with other Beach Place restaurants catering to intrepid midnight eaters, the cantina keeps long hours. The restaurant is open 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

If you are in need of a Florida Liquor License for your establishment Please contact Jason Long in Cape Coral jason@liqourlicensefl.com

SWFL Snowbird Season is here in full effect!

Snowbird Season here in Florida is in full effect!

Northerners start flocking to Florida typically from October-November thru April -May; is your business ready to profit to its full potential? Are you mixing some tasty new cocktails that these customers can’t wait to come back for? This time of year Restaurants become crowded and the bars become packed and we want to help keep them coming back year after year! Try some new ideas! Add that Cool Cajun Shrimp Bloody Mary to the Menu you’ve always wanted! Order those fresh jalapeños for the garnish—it will pay off in the long run! Travelers are always documenting their excursions and outings with social media so make sure you can impact everyone’s feeds! (that's lots of free marketing)

Call Liquor License FL today for your Full Liquor License Upgrade or to discuss financing on a Quota license or anything in between! We are here to make you more profitable and help you grow!