Liquor License – How to get Liquor License in india

Delhi is among a few select cities famous throughout the country for its scrumptious food and
nightlife. The presence of elite and food-loving crowd in Delhi is one of the factors for proliferation of
pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels in the city; and there is no end to it. What attracts majority of
the guests to these places is different brands of liquors that they serve.
While serving liquor may drive the business of a restaurant/ hotel, it is important to understand that it
requires certain mandatory government approval and license permit as per laws. This article covers
which are the licenses required to serve alcohol in hotels and restaurants and how they can be
obtained.
Types of Licenses required to serve liquor:
1. L-3 License:
L-3 license gives permission to star category hotels to serve foreign liquor to the guests in their
rooms (Mini bars). Only hotels which are holding star classification and approval of Department of
Tourism, Govt. of India are eligible to apply for this license.

2. L-5 License:
L-5 license permits the star category hotels to serve alcohol in the restaurant/ bar which is located in
the hotel premises.

3. L-4 License:
L-4 License is mandatory to serve liquor in an independent restaurant approved by Department of
Tourism, Govt. of India. The restaurants can apply in the office of the Commissioner of Excise in
prescribed form and submit documents as indicated in the application form.
Documents Required
L-3 & L-5 license:
For L-3 and L-5 license, the hotel is required to submit an application to the Commissioner of Excise.
The application must be on its letter head accompanied by the following documents:
1. Documentary proof regarding legal status of the hotel i.e. whether it is a company,
partnership firm etc.
2. Whether the hotel is in legal possession of the plot.
3. Completion certificate in respect of the hotel building.
4. Trade license from the Local Authority i.e. MCD/NDMC as the case maybe
5. Lodging House license from the Local Authority.
6. Certificate of registration of eating House license issued by the DCP (Licensing).
7. Documentary proof regarding applicant being an Income Tax Assesse and Sales Tax-
Assesse.
8. The applicant is required to submit lay out plan of the hotel, site plan of the license
outlets and the liquor stores
9. Proof of Department of Tourism. Govt of India indicating the project approval and also
recommendation for grant of L-3/L-5 license
10. NOC from Delhi Fire Service
L-4 license:
For L-4 license, the hotel must submit following documents in addition to the application:
1. Approval of DOT, Govt. of India.
2. Memorandum and Articles of Association/Certificate of Incorporation/ Partnership deed
etc.
3. Proof of lawful possession of the premises.
4. Copy of Income Tax Clearance
5. Copy of Sales Tax Registration./Latest Asst Order
6. Copy of Eating House License from DCP(Licensing)
7. Trade License issued by MCD/NDMC
8. NOC from Fire Department provided the height of the premises is more than 15 meters.
9. Affidavits in the prescribed Performa.
Process of the application
Post this, the application and documents are verified if they are as per the license requirements. The
hotel/ restaurant premise is then inspected by the concerned Excise Officer from the department to
determine if the premises complies with rule 11 of the Delhi Intoxicants License and Sales Rules,
1976 which provides that :-
“No liquor shop for consumption ‘on’ the premises shall be located within a distance of 75 meters
from the following, namely:-
(a) Educational institutions
(b) Religious places;
(c) Hospitals with fifty beds and above
The Excise Officer then submits a report to the license granting authority.
When the Officer is sure that the restaurant/ hotel complies with the license requirements, opinions
of residents/ public are invited through pasting of notices and other public announcement in the area.
They are given a notice of 7 days to file any objections before the licensing authority. If no objection
is received, the competent authority goes ahead with approval for grant of license. After approval,
the hotel has to deposit the fees as given under the rules. Once it is deposited, license is issued to
the hotel.