End of Prohibition and New York's liquor licensing system (1933-1934)
When the 21st Amendment repealed national Prohibition in December 1933, states took control of alcohol sales. New York created the State Liquor Authority in 1934 to issue permits for who could sell alcohol, and it has held that power since.
Bars and restaurants had to apply for state permits before serving alcohol, a new layer of regulation.
New York still requires a state license to sell alcohol, which is why opening a sports bar depends on an SLA decision.
Ralph's Sports Bar's license is the modern product of that post-Prohibition system: one state agency deciding who may pour drinks.
