Somerville Liquor Licenses

A dramatic increase in the number of available liquor licenses seems, on the surface, like a boon for Somerville’s bars and restaurants. But not everyone is convinced that the influx serves the best interests of restaurant owners—or the city as a whole.
Earlier this year, the Massachusetts legislature awarded Somerville 65 new liquor licenses—an increase of more than 60 percent from the city’s previous stock. It’s an unprecedented number of new licenses, and it means more bars and restaurants will soon be able to serve beer, wine and liquor.
This story originally appeared in Scout Somerville here.