San Diego County Type 47 Full Liquor License For Restaurants
San Diego County’s dining scene includes everything from waterfront restaurants to neighborhood lounges where cocktails, spirits, and wine are essential to the guest experience. For these concepts, the Type 47 on-sale general eating place license is usually the right tool.
Liquor License Agents helps San Diego restaurateurs, groups, and buyers evaluate Type 47 options, source licenses, and coordinate ABC and local approvals.
What The California Type 47 On Sale General Eating Place License Authorizes
A Type 47 license is a general on-sale license tied to a bona fide eating place. In San Diego County, it usually allows you to:
- Serve spirits, beer, and wine for on-premises consumption alongside a full menu
- Operate a bar, lounge, and dining room under one coordinated restaurant concept
- Welcome families and minors, because the premises is a bona fide eating place, not a bar-only site
- Develop a complete beverage program, including cocktails, wine lists, and beer offerings
Type 47 privileges sit at the intersection of serious food and a robust bar program.
Is A Type 47 License Right For Your San Diego Restaurant Or Lounge
A Type 47 license is often the best fit if:
- Cocktails, spirits, and wine pairings are central to your brand and check average
- You have, or plan to build, a full kitchen that can produce complete meals consistently
- You intend to operate as a restaurant first, with an integrated bar and lounge component
- You are targeting dinner, late-night dining, or special events where a full bar is expected
If you prefer a lighter beverage program focused on beer and wine, a Type 41 license may be more efficient. We help you compare both routes based on your menu, floor plan, and projected revenue mix.
How Liquor License Agents Supports Type 47 Buyers And Sellers In San Diego County
Type 47 licenses are high-value assets that must be handled carefully in both new applications and transfers.
Liquor License Agents supports Type 47 projects by:
- Reviewing your kitchen capacity, menu, and layout to confirm eating place qualifications
- Advising whether to pursue a new Type 47 license or purchase an existing license subject to quotas and demand
- Assisting with valuation and negotiations when a Type 47 license is part of a restaurant sale or portfolio deal
- Preparing ABC applications, premises diagrams, and ownership disclosures tailored to your operating plan
- Coordinating with city and county planning staff on CUPs, coastal rules, parking, and entertainment approvals
- Tracking ABC review from posting to final decision, and helping you address questions or protests
We focus on integrating licensing with your lease, build-out, and staffing plan so your bar program is ready when your doors open.
San Diego County Type 47 Full Liquor License FAQs
1. What can I serve with a California Type 47 on sale general eating place license?
A Type 47 license allows you to serve spirits, beer, and wine for on-premises consumption in connection with a bona fide eating place. Guests can order cocktails, mixed drinks, beer, and wine with their meals.
2. What food and kitchen requirements apply to a Type 47 restaurant license in San Diego?
You must operate a bona fide eating place with a functioning kitchen and a menu of complete meals, not just snacks or prepackaged food. Regulators will consider your menu, hours, and food-to-alcohol sales mix, along with any CUP conditions, to confirm that you are truly operating as a restaurant.
3. How is a Type 47 license different from a Type 41 beer and wine license?
A Type 41 license permits only beer and wine, while a Type 47 license includes spirits. Type 47 licenses usually cost more to acquire and may come with closer scrutiny, but they support a full bar program that can significantly increase revenue in many San Diego restaurant concepts.
4. Can I transfer a Type 47 license when I buy or sell a restaurant in San Diego County?
Yes. Type 47 licenses are regularly transferred as part of restaurant sales and reorganizations. Transfers require ABC approval, public posting, and local review. Coordinating the transfer with your escrow closing is essential to avoid any gap in your ability to serve alcohol.
5. How long does it usually take to obtain or transfer a Type 47 license in San Diego?
Most operators should plan for several months, though timing varies by neighborhood, agency workload, and complexity. Coastal or downtown locations may require additional review. Early preparation and well-documented applications help keep the process on track.
6. What neighborhood, CUP, or parking conditions might affect my Type 47 approval?
CUP conditions can govern hours, patio use, music, occupancy, and parking ratios. Some neighborhoods and coastal zones have extra rules around alcohol and entertainment. We review your site’s existing approvals and proposed conditions so you understand the operating framework before finalizing your license strategy.
Schedule an Appointment | (800) 799-9081
If you are planning a full-service restaurant or lounge in San Diego County and need a Type 47 license, you can call (800) 799-9081 to schedule an appointment and review license availability, pricing, and local requirements with an experienced advisor.