Recent Legal News & Firm Updates

On October 13, 2026, the Office of the State Auditor released License to Pour: Access and Equity in Massachusetts Liquor Licensing, a comprehensive examination of the Commonwealth’s liquor licensing system. The report identifies certain disparities in license availability and recommends eliminating the state’s population-based quota for on-premises licenses in favor of greater municipal control. It…

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Governor Maura Healey signed Chapter 96 of the Acts of 2026, a temporary measure that lets Massachusetts cities and towns opt in to extended liquor-license hours and outdoor public consumption districts, effective June 8, 2026 and expiring on July 31, 2026. The Legislature moved quickly to give the restaurant and hospitality sector added flexibility ahead…

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Congratulations to RIW attorney Adam Barnosky on his nomination to the Massachusetts Restaurants United Board of Directors! The board plays an important role in shaping a mission that began in 2020, when MRU emerged as the voice for independent restaurants during COVID. As the Massachusetts affiliate of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, MRU continues to elevate…

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The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (“ABCC”) recently shared two key updates on license applications and the Massachusetts laws governing alcohol licensing. The first update is that the latest state budget includes three updates to General Law Chapter 138’s provisions on the definition of “licensed premises,” the time to appeal local decisions, and automatic disqualifications for…

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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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