Booziest spots: The NJ towns most packed with bars, liquor stores

Ever notice that some of the tiniest communities in New Jersey seem to have the most bars?

It's not an illusion.

Data for the top 25 municipalities with the most liquor licenses per square mile, statewide, shows that the biggest towns do not necessarily have the most businesses legally permitted to serve alcohol.

The number of licenses per town are capped based on population — in most cases.

Since 1948, new retail consumption and distribution licenses can only be issued by a municipality if its population in the last federal census exceeds "certain limits."

With limited exceptions, for every 3,000 residents, a town can issue one consumption license.

It can also issue one distribution license for every 7,500 residents.

One big exception — towns that were “grandfathered” in with more licenses, under previous laws allowed to continue.

In January, Gov. Phil Murphy called for overhauling the current system and expanding the number of liquor licenses for restaurants statewide.

But for now, those are the "booziest towns" in NJ.

As for where to find some of the state's best brews...