The Boston Licensing Board recently approved applications from the Lower Mills Tavern's new owners in which they will transfer that bar's liquor license to a cocktail bar they plan to open in the South End and then get a new license for the Lower Mills tavern from the city's supply of special licenses intended to aid entrepreneurs in Dorchester and certain other neighborhoods.

The difference between the two licenses is that should Brian O'Donnell and the other owners shut the Lower Mills bar, they will have to return the license to the city. In contrast, the South End license has no such restrictions, so they could attempt to sell it should they shut that place.