A common victualler license is issued under MGL c. 140, § 2,
by the Licensing Authority on an annual basis, and a common victualler
is a food service establishment with seats for patrons.
Every food service establishment in the Town of Barnstable with capabilities
for cooking, preparing and serving food, with seating and/or eating
on the premises, is required to have a common victualler license.
Licensees are not permitted to keep alcoholic beverages on the premises
except for a reasonably small quantity that is used in the preparation
of certain specialty foods. The Licensing Authority will, in its discretion,
determine what is reasonable for this purpose and whether or not it
is customary in the preparation of such specialty foods.
Reasonable food service, with suitable food, must be available upon
the request of a patron at a premises with a common victualler license
during all operating hours.
The full dining room menu must be available at least 75% of the operating
hours. The Licensing Authority will, in its discretion, determine
what is reasonable food service based upon the Licensing Authority's
intent on granting the license.
Premises licensed for the consumption of food or beverages at the
premises are public places where members of the public are invited
and expect to be treated in the same manner as in other public places
with regard to the provision of a decent and nonoffensive environment.
Food and beverage licensees are not permitted to have, create, produce,
or tolerate any environment at the premises which is intended to hold
any person or any group of people up to ridicule or derision such
that said person or said group of persons would not feel comfortable
at the premises.