License Applicants May Submit to Unreasonable Community Board Demands to Avoid Months of Delay in Obtaining Licenses:
In a New York Times article of April 17, 2025, concerning late night liquor licenses, the power exercised by Community Boards over license applicants was described:
There are ways to get a license without a community board recommendation, like appealing directly to the State Liquor Authority, though it can take several months for an application to be considered. In most cases, the quickest route to approval is agreeing to terms — such as earlier closing hours — in exchange for board support.
As to applicants seeking a liquor license method of operations to include social patron dancing and live music, if there is Community Board objection, in order to not be delayed by months with a closed business it is in most situations easier for the applicant to just not ask for Live Music and social patron dancing, unless critical to the operation of the business.
Exerpt-Is New York Becoming the City That Sleeps