<P> Supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations in New Jersey rarely sell alcoholic beverages because state law prohibits any person or corporation from possessing more than two retail distribution licenses . While licenses for bars, restaurants and liquor stores are limited, other retail licenses are not . Class C licenses can be granted without limit for common carriers (such as limousines and boats), private clubs with a minimum of 60 members, hotels with at least one - hundred rooms, and theatres with at least 1,000 seats . </P> <P> Special permits exist to allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages at golf courses, government - owned facilities, and at social events run by non-profit organizations (for example, church carnivals). A restaurant in New Jersey without a liquor license can sell wine from a New Jersey winery by becoming an offsite retail sales outlet of the winery . Since the early 1990s, there have been a handful of unsuccessful proposals to create a separate restaurant license allowing eating establishments to sell beer and wine . Such proposals have been strongly opposed by current retail license holders who believe that it would decrease their income, and thus the value of their liquor license . </P> <P> Some municipalities, particularly in South Jersey, are dry towns where no alcohol can be legally served or sold . Some of them are dry because of their origins as Quaker, Methodist, or other Protestant religious communities . For example, the seaside resort town of Ocean City has been dry since it was founded in 1879 by four Methodist clergymen . In recent years, several municipalities have questioned whether they ought to remain dry . Dry towns frequently have public referendums on whether they should remain dry or allow liquor sales in order to attract new businesses and increase property tax revenue . </P> <P> Dry towns in New Jersey cannot forbid the possession, consumption, or transportation of alcohol, but have the option to permit or prohibit BYOB at restaurants and social affair permits for non-profit organizations . In 2012, Ocean City residents rejected a proposal to allow restaurant patrons to bring their own wine or beer to unlicensed establishments . It is possible for a dry town to have a winery or brewery that offers tastings, since alcohol manufacturing licenses in New Jersey are issued by the state, and are not regulated by municipalities . As of 2013, there are 35 dry municipalities in New Jersey, down from 44 in 2002 . </P>

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