They watch liquor license applications. A new restaurant or bar has to file with the state alcohol agency (TABC in Texas, the SLA in New York, ABC in California) months before it opens, and liquor liability has to be bound before that license issues. The pending application is the window to quote.
Liquor liability has to be bound before the license issues, so the pending stage, not the approved one, is when a broker still has a shot. On PourWire that stage is labeled new.
Live counts from public filings, newest filing .
| Metro | Venues in the pre-opening window | At the new stage | Newest filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 496 | 154 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| New York City, NY | 363 | 215 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Austin, TX | 240 | 155 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Waco–Temple, TX | 25 | 25 | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | 120 | 120 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Houston, TX | 142 | 142 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| San Antonio, TX | 58 | 58 | Oct 22, 2026 |
The records are public, so you can check the state license portal and the city permit portal yourself every week. PourWire does that daily for every metro above, merges the license and permit records for the same venue, estimates the opening window, and emails you the new ones with owner names.