United Clubs are known for relaxation, free snacks and of course complimentary beer, wine, and spirits that is except at Newark, where the airline had to shut down alcohol service for two days earlier this week due an expired liquor license.

Per ABC News,

Two United Clubs in Terminal C of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey couldn’t serve any beer, wine or spirits until the matter was resolved with Newark City Hall. (The club in Terminal A sits in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but is closed for construction. But if open, it could have served liquor.)

The license issue was resolved by Friday morning and travelers were once again able to get free cocktails before jetting off.

A renewal package for the liquor license was sent to United Airlines in May but it was never returned, according to Marjorie Harris, press secretary for the City of Newark. The license expired on June 30 but United and its vendor who runs the lounge, Sodexo, didn’t notice the lapse until this week. The two clubs immediately stopped serving liquor.

The airline has to pay two separate fees to obtain a liquor license: one to New Jersey state government and one to Newark’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. The check to the state was cashed but the check to the city was not, Harris said, “because the paperwork was not completed.”

Harris said United was utilizing its license from the City of Elizabeth for the Terminal A lounge to serve liquor in Terminal C in the City of Newark. Neither the airline nor Harris could explain how United was legally using a license from one municipality to serve liquor in another.

Bottom Line

There must of been a lot of thirsty United flyers this week at Newark!

If you experienced one of the two Newark United Clubs this week, feel free to share your thoughts below.