License Commission adopts new bar, restaurant rules

Other Committee · Meeting of November 5, 2026

LOWELL — The Lowell License Commission adopted new alcohol regulations separating bars from restaurants. Commissioners voted 4-0 on each of three sections presented by Attorney Wood of the city's law department. Restaurants must serve suitable food during alcohol service, with a food-sales threshold lowered from 40 percent to 35 percent of annual revenue.

General on-premises licensees need a special one-day permit to admit anyone under 21, and licensed managers must be on premises at least 50 percent of alcohol service hours. Existing licensees must file applications by noon on January 29, 2027, to change license type. The commission also approved five license items, continued the Showcase Cinema Lowell hearing to November 19, and referred three complaints to police.

In the full story:

• Opening and Roll Call
• Hive Public Market Special Licenses
• Lowell Community Charter Public School Events
• Tesco Bar 18-to-20 Event
• Corner Crust and Crumb
• Angel's Auto Care
• Alcoholic Beverages Regulations
• Showcase Cinema Continuance
• Complaints
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,778 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of November 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.