Boston Approves Liquor Licenses for 37 Restaurants

Thirty-seven restaurants from East Boston to Mattapan recently received liquor license approval. City officials approved the more than 30 new licenses during the week of Feb. 10, an act made possible by 2024 legislation from Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

In September 2024, Healey and Wu filed a “home rule petition.” That petition focused on supporting underserved communities and bolstering the growth of local businesses.

“I know how important our restaurants are to every single neighborhood, and every single neighborhood needs to have a place where you can go and have a good time, but also see investments made back into the community,” said Wu in a statement shared with 7 News Boston during Wu's visit to Blue Mountain Jamaica Restaurant on Feb. 18, 2025. The restaurant is one of several dining establishments, such as Caffe Dello Sport Eastie and La Parada Dominican Kitchen, that received approval.

Blue Mountain owners Marcia and Michael Satchell expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to upgrade their liquor license, believing it will support the growth of their restaurant.

“It provides more revenue. It provides a space for people to come and dine and just enjoy themselves,” said Marcia in an interview with 7 News Boston. “It also provides a space for people to come and just have community engagement.”

The Boston Globe reported that Healey and Wu's “home rule petition” aims to alleviate a 20-year shortage of liquor licenses in the city. In the past, larger chains were favored over smaller, independent restaurants. Most of the new licenses are restricted to 13 specific ZIP codes, including areas like Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury, with the goal of promoting economic growth through sit-down dining establishments.