Home Blog How to Apply for a Liquor License

How to Apply for a Liquor License

Jump to Section

Quick Facts — Liquor License Lawyers

What Is a Liquor License Application?

A liquor license application is a formal document submitted to the local government agency that regulates liquor licenses to obtain a legal permit to sell alcohol at an establishment. A liquor license is required in every state for a bar, restaurant, liquor store, or brewery, to legally serve and distribute beer, wine, and liquor.

Most states consider a liquor license as a privilege. Alcohol permits are a way for local and state governments to ensure that businesses that sell alcohol adhere to the laws regulating alcohol sales in that jurisdiction.

Liquor licenses are regulated at the state and local government levels. Usually, there is a governing agency like the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board) or the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. If a state doesn't have an agency specifically dedicated to alcohol regulation, the Department of Revenue or the State Treasury may be in charge of distributing liquor licenses. Some states also have different types of licenses for different types of establishments, such as on-premises licenses for bars and restaurants, and off-premises licenses for liquor stores.

Each state will have its own unique liquor license application, requirements for submitting the application, eligibility rules for a permit, and supporting documentation submitted with the application.

Although applications will vary by state, the following information is commonly requested on a liquor license application:

  • Name of applicants
  • Name and location of the business
  • Arrest disposition of the applicant
  • Mitigation of moral character of the application
  • Fingerprints of applicant
  • Right of occupancy of the premises
  • Zoning of the building and a sketch of the premises
  • Information about partners, stockholders, and officers
  • Acknowledgment of laws

If you are thinking about applying for a liquor license for your establishment, it is essential that you understand the state and local laws that regulate the application process and the additional requirements necessary to apply for a permit. It is recommended that you consult with a business lawyer experienced with liquor licenses before beginning the application process.

See Liquor license Pricing by State

Types of Liquor Licenses

Liquor licenses and local alcohol regulations will typically dictate the following details regarding the service of alcohol:

  1. Where alcohol can be served
  2. How much alcohol can be served to each patron
  3. The prices of alcohol
  4. How alcohol can be served
  5. The times which alcohol is served
  6. How alcohol can leave the premises

Depending on the type of establishment and their sales goals, there are different types of liquor licenses available for business owners. Each license dictates the type of alcohol that can be served, who can serve the alcohol, and whether the alcohol will be consumed at the establishment or somewhere else.

The four most common liquor licenses offered by almost every state are beer and wine permits, restaurant licenses, bar licenses, and server permits.

  1. Beer and Wine Liquor License: A beer and wine liquor license is generally easier to get than a full liquor license because it restricts an establishment from selling alcohol other than beer and wine. The exact details vary from state to state.
  2. Restaurant Liquor License: Restaurant liquor licenses are more difficult to obtain because they are essentially unrestricted. When a business has a restaurant liquor license, also called a general liquor license, it can serve any type of alcohol.
  3. Bar Liquor License: When a business makes more than 50% of total sales from alcohol, like a bar or tavern that only serves alcohol and not food, they need a bar liquor license.
  4. Server License: Some states will require employees who serve alcohol to have their individual server license; however, this is rare and only needed in a couple of states.

Choosing which license best serves a business's needs comes down to the business plan and goals. A liquor store that sells alcohol to be consumed somewhere else will need a different permit than a bar or restaurant in which patrons drink alcohol onsite.

A business like a brewery often serves alcohol to drink onsite and alcohol to be taken home. Some states will require this business to obtain both types of liquor licenses.

Meet some lawyers on our platform

Dolan W.

1824 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Faryal A.

564 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Caroline N.

5 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Benjamin W.

198 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Requirements for a Liquor License

Liquor licenses are regulated at the state level, so applying for a liquor license will vary by state. Sometimes, local counties also pass regulations that bar and restaurant owners must follow to obtain a liquor license.

Often, a business owner will have to hold additional business permits before applying for a liquor license. Many applications require business owners to provide proof or supporting documents to show they have the permits necessary to apply for the alcohol permit.

Requirements may vary between states, but licenses and permits usually required before applying for a liquor license include:

  • Business license
  • Health permit
  • Sales tax permit
  • Building permit
  • Zoning permit
  • Code compliance certificate
  • Signage permit
  • Alcohol tax permit
  • Food handlers permit

In addition to these permits, business owners will also have to include the following supporting documents with their liquor license application:

Due to the complexity of the application and the number of permits and supporting documentation required, it is recommended to consult with a business lawyer specializing in liquor licenses to help you with your application. An experienced attorney will know what you need to apply for a liquor license in your area.

How to Apply for a Liquor License

Although the application process will vary based on state, the following steps will help you with what to expect when applying for a liquor license.

Step #1: Gather your documentation

Liquor license applications require a lot of supporting documentation. This can include zoning permits, floor plans of the establishment, a proposed menu, and the applicant's fingerprints. Before even starting your application, find out what documents you need and make sure you have copies of everything.

Step #2: Fill out the application

In most states, you can find the liquor license application online. Some jurisdictions allow you to fill out the application, attach supporting documents, pay the fee, and submit the application completely virtually.

Other jurisdictions may require that the application, documents, and fees are mailed or submitted by hand at the designated government office.

You can contact your local alcohol control agency to find out the requirements surrounding submitting your application.

Step #3: Defending your proposal for an alcohol permit

In some states, when a business applies for an alcohol permit, it is public knowledge. This allows members of the community to protest issuing liquor licenses to companies in that community. If someone wishes to protest the issuance of your liquor license, you will have to attend a public hearing to defend your proposal for an alcohol permit.

Step #4: Approval of the application

As long as there aren’t any issues with your application, there are no protests to the license, and there are available licenses in your jurisdiction, you can receive approval for your license in as little as a few weeks. If you are approved for a permit, you will have to pay your state's license fee.

Liquor License Cost

Depending on your state, liquor licenses can be costly. While the average cost for a liquor license in the US is around $1,500, in states like California, it can be upwards of $15,000.

Fees that you will be responsible for are the initial application fee, the fee for the actual permit, and renewal fees. Some states require annual renewals, while other states issue liquor licenses for a couple of years at a time.

If you choose to hire an attorney to assist in the liquor license process, or if you need to pay for additional permits to meet your state's requirements for a liquor license, your costs will increase.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Liquor License?

The liquor license application process can take as little as a few weeks. However, some states have a quota on the number of licenses that are issued. If the quota is maxed, you could end up waiting years for a permit.

Get Help with A Liquor License

Do you have questions about applying for a liquor license and want to speak to an expert? Post a project today on ContractsCounsel and receive bids from business lawyers who specialize in liquor licenses.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Meet some of our Lawyers

Daehoon P. on ContractsCounsel
View Daehoon
4.8 (233)
Member Since:
November 26, 2021

Daehoon P.

Corporate & M&A | Venture Capital, Private Equity & Web3 Counsel | Real Estate Transactions
Free Consultation
New York, NY
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
American University Washington College of Law

Corporate, M&A & Securities Lawyer | Managing Attorney, DP Counsel PLLC Practice Areas: Business Formation | Commercial Contracts | Contract Drafting & Review | Mergers & Acquisitions | Venture Capital | Securities Offerings | Franchise Law | Employment & Equity Compensation | Intellectual Property | Cross-Border Transactions About/Bio: I represent companies, investors, and fund sponsors in corporate transactions, commercial contracting, and private securities matters, from entity formation and early-stage financings to acquisitions, exits, and ongoing strategic counsel. As Managing Attorney of DP Counsel PLLC, I help clients structure transactions clearly, allocate risk thoughtfully, and move deals forward with documentation that is practical, enforceable, and aligned with business objectives. My practice includes both day-to-day commercial matters and more complex transactional work, including venture financings, private offerings, M&A deals, fund-related documents, and cross-border structuring. What I Do: Corporate & Commercial • Entity formation and structuring for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships • Operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and governance documents • Commercial contract drafting, review, and negotiation • Vendor, distribution, manufacturing, SaaS, and licensing agreements • Employment, consulting, confidentiality, and equity compensation agreements • Outside general counsel support for growing companies Securities & Private Capital • Private offerings under Regulation D and Regulation S • Private placement memoranda, subscription agreements, and investor documents • SAFE, convertible note, and priced equity financings • Venture capital and private fund formation matters • Fund governing documents and offering document packages • Securities law analysis for private capital raising transactions Mergers & Acquisitions • Letters of intent and term sheets • Stock purchase, asset purchase, and merger agreements • Due diligence coordination and transaction support • Disclosure schedules, closing documents, and post-closing matters • Earnouts, rollover equity, indemnity structures, and related deal terms • HSR, CFIUS, and related regulatory issue spotting for qualifying transactions Digital Assets & Emerging Technologies • Federal-law digital asset and token securities analysis • Entity structuring for blockchain and Web3 ventures • Digital asset fund and operating structures • AML/KYC documentation support and regulatory issue spotting Franchising • Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) • Franchise agreements • Master franchise and area development agreements • Franchise structuring and registration coordination Real Estate Transactions • Commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions • Real estate joint ventures and syndications • Commercial lease drafting and negotiation • Real estate investment structures and related offering documents Cross-Border & International • U.S. market entry and entity structuring for international clients • Delaware and multi-entity holding structures • Cross-border transaction planning and documentation • Coordination with foreign counsel and tax advisors on cross-border matters Why Clients Hire Me: • Big-law-level drafting with boutique responsiveness • Practical, business-focused advice grounded in execution reality • Clear scoping and transparent fee arrangements • Experience across financings, acquisitions, fund formations, and cross-border transactions Typical Projects: • Contract drafting and negotiation • Entity formation and governance packages • Private offering document suites • Venture financing documentation • M&A transactions from LOI through closing • Fractional or outside general counsel support Industries Technology | SaaS | FinTech | Digital Assets | E-commerce | Healthcare | Real Estate | Food & Beverage | Professional Services

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Working with Daehoon was a wonderful experience! As someone establishing a new audiobook narration business, I wanted to be confident that my contracts were carefully written and addressed the unique needs of my work, particularly the important issue of AI voice protection. Daehoon was patient, professional, and attentive to my questions and concerns. I especially appreciated his willingness to work through revisions with me and make sure the final documents reflected what I needed. Throughout the process, I felt that he genuinely cared about doing a good job. His attention to detail and thoughtful approach gave me confidence and peace of mind as I move forward with my business. I’m very grateful for his help and would happily work with him again. Thank you, Daehoon!"

Max K. on ContractsCounsel
View Max
5.0 (12)
Member Since:
August 5, 2023

Max K.

Attorney, Executive MBA
Free Consultation
Las Vegas, Nevada
14 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, NV, NY, TX
Western State University College of Law

I am a business attorney and former in-house corporate attorney with more than a decade of experience helping companies navigate contracts, commercial relationships, day-to-day operations, and disputes. My practice includes drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, licenses, leases, vendor and service agreements, and other business arrangements. Licensed in Nevada, California, New York, and Texas, I also hold an Executive MBA. My goal is to serve as practical, long-term outside counsel to small businesses and entrepreneurs that value responsiveness, sound judgment, and advice grounded in commercial realities - not merely technical legal answers. I handle disputes when necessary, but much of the value I bring lies in identifying issues early, preserving business relationships, and preventing avoidable conflicts. I do not bill separately for routine phone calls. I want clients to feel comfortable calling before a small concern becomes an expensive problem, and I am always happy to have an initial conversation to see if the fit is right for you. www.linkedin.com/in/maxkelner

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"This was my 1st time having to consult with a legal expert about anything and Max made the process easy and stress-free."

Samuel R. on ContractsCounsel
View Samuel
5.0 (68)
Member Since:
October 2, 2021

Samuel R.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Phoenix - Arizona
7 Yrs Experience
Licensed in AZ, PA, UT
Widener University Delaware Law School

My career interests are to practice Transactional Corporate Law, including Business Start Up, as well as Real Estate Law, Estate Planning Law, and Intellectual Property Law. I am currently licensed in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Utah, after having moved to Phoenix from Philadelphia in September 2019. I currently serve as General Counsel for a bioengineering company. I handle everything from their Business Transactional Agreements, Private Placement Memorandums, and Corporate Structures to Intellectual Property Assignments, to Employment Law and Beach of Contract settlements. Responsibilities include writing and executing agreements, drafting court pleadings, court appearances, mergers and acquisitions, transactional documents, managing expert specialized legal counsel, legal research and anticipating unique legal issues that could impact the Company. Conducted an acquisition of an entire line of intellectual property from a competitor. In regards to other clients, I am primarily focused on transactional law for clients in a variety of industries including, but not limited to, real estate investment, property management, and e-commerce. Work is primarily centered around entity formation and corporate structure, corporate governance agreements, PPMs, opportunity zone tax incentives, and all kinds of business to business agreements. I have also recently gained experience with Estate Planning law, drafting numerous Estate Planning documents for people such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and Trusts. I was selected to the Super Lawyers Southwest Rising Stars list for 2024 - 2026. Each year no more than 2.5% of the attorneys in Arizona and New Mexico are selected to the Rising Stars. I am looking to further gain legal experience in these fields of law as well as expand my legal experience assisting business start ups, and also trademark registration and licensing.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Sam was awesome to work with, super helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. Highly recommend."

Garrett M. on ContractsCounsel
View Garrett
4.9 (10)
Member Since:
June 15, 2023

Garrett M.

Business Attorney
Free Consultation
Cincinnati, Ohio
6 Yrs Experience
Licensed in KY, OH
University of Cincinnati College of Law

Attorney Garrett Mayleben's practice is focused on representing small businesses and the working people that make them profitable. He represents companies in structuring and negotiating merger, acquisition, and real estate transactions; guides emerging companies through the startup phase; and consults with business owners on corporate governance matters. Garrett also practices in employment law, copyright and trademark law, and civil litigation. Though industry agnostic, Garrett has particular experience representing medical, dental, veterinary, and chiropractic practices in various business transactions, transitions, and the structuring of related management service organizations (MSOs).

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
4.7

"Though I found a few small mistakes that made me think he rushed a bit, he revised the agreement to be more in my favor. His expertise was well worth it."

Tim E. on ContractsCounsel
View Tim
4.8 (65)
Member Since:
August 12, 2020

Tim E.

Founding Member/Attorney
Free Consultation
Cleveland, OH
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in OH
Cleveland State University College of Law

I am a business attorney focused on providing practical, targeted legal services for small businesses, startups, contractors, consultants, and service providers. I help clients efficiently review, draft, and improve everyday business contracts, including service agreements, NDAs, independent contractor agreements, vendor contracts, commercial leases, and purchase documents. My approach is straightforward: identify the terms that matter, explain risks in plain English, and deliver clear, usable edits or drafts without unnecessary complexity. I regularly handle fixed-fee, quick-turnaround projects such as contract reviews, agreement drafting, and demand or termination letters. While I offer streamlined, project-based services for routine matters, I can also assist with broader business legal needs as they arise.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Excellent experience with Tim on my relatively complex EULA for a suite of network appliance products. Tim was very fair with pricing, responsive, diligent, thorough, technically knowledgeable, took the time to address all my questions and concerns, and finished (with revision) on schedule and budget. Great experience overall and I'll definitely be using Tim for more work in the future with my business. I'll also be using Contract Counsel and recommending it to everyone I know as well! THANK YOU! -Devin"

Judi P. on ContractsCounsel
View Judi
Member Since:
January 26, 2023

Judi P.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New Mexico
6 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NM
Arizona Summit Law School

Driven attorney with a knack for alternative dispute resolution, real estate, corporate law, immigration, and basic estate planning, with superb people skills and high emotional intelligence, and for working smart and efficiently, as well as time and financial management skills to deliver excellent legal work and solutions to legal issues. Seasoned with 20+ years of law firm and legal experience (real estate/corporate).

Brittany T. on ContractsCounsel
View Brittany
Member Since:
January 26, 2023

Brittany T.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Georgia
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in GA
Florida Coastal Law School

Brittany is an experienced attorney specializing in transactional and complex contract matters including but not limited to SaaS development and product implementation, technology/data agreements, licensing, and compliance. She has over 7 years of experience providing strategic legal advice to individuals and business clients of all sizes, from start-ups to large corporations. Brittany has a strong understanding of the legal issues related to technology and software and is well-versed in drafting and negotiating contracts ranging from software licenses to data sharing agreements. She is a highly-skilled negotiator and is adept at finding creative solutions to challenging legal issues.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need to apply for a liquor license?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 24,388 reviews
CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Business Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

Need to apply for a liquor license?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 24,388 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city