21st Amendment and California's ABC (1933–1955)
The 21st Amendment ended federal Prohibition in 1933 and handed alcohol regulation to the states. California initially had the Board of Equalization issue licenses, then created the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in 1955 to take over the job.
California built a licensing system requiring state approval before any bar or restaurant could serve alcohol.
Every California establishment serving alcohol must hold a license in one of ABC's categories, such as type 47 for eating places.
Explains why L'Roco Grill needs a state-issued license before adding drinks to its menu, and why the type 47 category exists at all.
