Los Angeles County Type 48 Full Liquor License For Bars And Nightclubs
Los Angeles County’s bars, live music venues, and nightclubs rely on the Type 48 license to serve spirits, beer, and wine in adult-only settings where entertainment and nightlife are the main attraction. Because these licenses are both valuable and tightly regulated, planning is essential.
Liquor License Agents helps Los Angeles County bar and nightclub operators evaluate Type 48 feasibility, structure purchases and sales, and guide projects through ABC and local review.
What The Type 48 General On Sale Public Premises License Authorizes
A Type 48 license is a general on-sale public premises license. In Los Angeles County, it typically allows you to:
- Serve spirits, beer, and wine for on-premises consumption at a bar, lounge, or nightclub
- Operate as a public premises where minors generally are not allowed to remain
- Focus on nightlife, entertainment, and alcohol sales without maintaining a full restaurant kitchen
- Offer bottle service, VIP areas, and other nightlife features, subject to ABC rules and local conditions
Type 48 is the standard license for bar-forward venues where alcohol and entertainment are the primary draw rather than meals.
When A Type 48 License Makes Sense For Your Los Angeles Bar, Lounge, Or Nightclub
A Type 48 license may be the right choice if:
- Your business model is centered on alcoholic beverage sales and entertainment
- You plan to control access at the door, check IDs, and maintain a dedicated security program
- Food service, if offered, is limited or supplemental rather than the heart of the concept
- You are targeting nightlife neighborhoods, hospitality corridors, or entertainment districts
If your concept is a restaurant first, with a strong bar but a significant food program and family dining, a Type 47 restaurant license may be more appropriate. We help you choose the license that best reflects how you actually plan to operate.
How Liquor License Agents Assists Type 48 Buyers And Sellers In Los Angeles County
Type 48 licenses in Los Angeles nightlife areas can command significant prices and attract close regulatory scrutiny. Every step of a deal matters.
Liquor License Agents assists by:
- Evaluating your site, floor plan, and neighborhood to see whether a Type 48 license is viable and supportable
- Advising whether a new license is available or if you must acquire an existing Type 48 license
- Supporting negotiations, valuation, and escrow when a Type 48 license is part of a bar or club sale
- Preparing ABC applications, security and operations descriptions, and detailed premises diagrams
- Coordinating with planning, police, and neighborhood bodies on CUPs, security plans, entertainment permits, and hours
- Tracking ABC review through public notice, potential protests, and final decisions, helping you respond at each step
Our goal is to give you a clear picture of regulatory expectations before you build out or brand a nightlife concept around a Type 48 license.
Los Angeles County Type 48 Full Liquor Bar License FAQs
1. What can I serve with a California Type 48 general on sale liquor license?
A Type 48 license allows you to serve spirits, beer, and wine for on-premises consumption in a bar or nightclub environment. It is a full liquor license for public premises, not restricted to beer and wine.
2. Do I need to serve food or operate a kitchen with a Type 48 bar license?
No. A Type 48 license does not require a full kitchen or bona fide eating place. Many Type 48 venues offer limited food, host food trucks, or partner with nearby restaurants, but extensive food service is not mandated by the license. Local CUPs may still encourage or require some food options in specific districts.
3. Are minors allowed anywhere on the premises under a Type 48 license in Los Angeles?
Generally, no. Type 48 licenses are for public premises where minors may not remain. You will need strong ID-check procedures, trained staff, and clear signage to enforce this rule. We help you build these elements into your operating plan and license submissions.
4. Can I host live music, DJs, and bottle service with a Type 48 license?
Yes. Many Type 48 venues are built around live music, DJs, dancing, and bottle service. These activities can trigger additional conditions regarding security, capacity, hours, and noise control. We coordinate your licensing with any entertainment and bottle-service approvals needed from the city or county.
5. How long does it typically take to obtain or transfer a Type 48 license in Los Angeles County?
Nightlife-focused applications often take several months, and sometimes longer, depending on neighborhood sensitivity, CUP requirements, and whether protests are filed. Starting early, engaging with local stakeholders, and providing detailed plans can help keep the process moving.
6. What factors influence the market price of a Type 48 license in Los Angeles nightlife areas?
Pricing is shaped by demand in specific corridors, scarcity of available licenses, recent comparable transactions, economic trends, and any existing conditions on the license. Locations in highly sought-after nightlife districts may see significantly higher values. We help you understand current pricing patterns so you can budget realistically.
Schedule an Appointment | (800) 799-9081
If you are planning, buying, or selling a bar, lounge, or nightclub in Los Angeles County and need a Type 48 license, you can call (800) 799-9081 to schedule an appointment and review licensing strategies, CUP issues, and deal terms with an experienced advisor.