Recent Legal News & Firm Updates

More updates are rolling out on the City of Boston’s Liquor License Upgrade process. Here is what you need to know: On January 8, the Boston Licensing Board voted to adopt new regulations (Board Rule 1.08R) to authorize conversion of Beer/Wine Licenses to All Alcohol Licenses for existing license holders, with certain restrictions. Key takeaways…

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From early concepts through grand openings, expansions, and acquisitions, 2025 was a big year for Boston’s restaurant and hospitality community. We are excited to share RIW’s Restaurant & Hospitality 2025 Year in Review, highlighting client openings, milestones, and notable developments from the past year. You can read the full recap here: https://bit.ly/4st9aGP. As the industry…

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Two significant regulatory developments, one federal and one state, signal a period of meaningful change for the cannabis industry. At the federal level, on December 18th, President Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to expedite the rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). While the…

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Since covering the passage of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 138, Section 12D in September, the Boston Licensing Board (the “Board”) has now clarified one of the most important elements of Section 12D. Businesses that upgrade from a Wine and Malt Beverage License to a Non-Transferrable All Alcoholic Beverages License retain the underlying beer and wine…

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The Michelin Guide’s inaugural Boston edition brought an exciting moment for the city’s dining scene and for several RIW clients who were honored across both the Michelin Recommended and Bib Gourmand categories. At this week’s Michelin Guide Northeast Cities awards ceremony, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Woods Hill Pier 4, and La Padrona at the Raffles Boston…

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Multi-state operators face a complex patchwork of alcoholic beverage licensing frameworks, each with its own regulatory priorities and enforcement standards. As the retail and wholesale industry continues to adapt to shifting market conditions and evolving consumer trends, regulatory updates have become increasingly vital to sustaining economic viability while managing compliance standards. The National Association of…

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Congratulations to RIW client Sally’s Apizza on the opening of their new location in Dorchester! This marks the second Massachusetts outpost for the iconic pizzeria, which has been serving up its legendary New Haven-style pies for more than 80 years. RIW’s Adam Barnosky and Michael Cronin handled the alcoholic beverage licensing for this project. With…

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Congratulations to RIW client Elephantine Bakery on the opening of their new location in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood! This marks the second spot for the beloved bakery, joining their flagship on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Elephantine is known for its pastries, breads, and decadent cakes, made with French technique and Mediterranean influence. They’re open Monday…

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This week, the Boston City Council approved a measure that will allow the city’s roughly 375 existing beer and wine license holders to upgrade to full all-alcohol licenses, opening the door for them to serve liquor and cocktails in addition to beer and wine. Boston was among the first to act on the state’s June…

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The Q3 edition of The Industry, RIW’s Restaurant & Hospitality newsletter, is here! In this issue, our team shares timely insights and updates to help owners, operators, and investors navigate today’s changing landscape. From regulatory shifts to business planning strategies, we’ve got you covered: “Unfair and Deceptive Fees” law: Adam Barnosky breaks down everything restaurants…

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