Liquor License Cost: Average Fees Explained

There is no single national price for a liquor license. Each state sets its own license types and fees, and some states also let counties or cities add charges. A license for a restaurant that serves beer and wine costs far less than a full spirits license in many states, and a license in a state that limits the number of licenses can cost much more on the resale market.

The headline figure above is Washington's annual fee for one license type, used here as one example, not a national average. Washington and North Carolina are shown below to illustrate how differently states price their licenses. To find your cost, check your state's alcohol regulator before you plan a budget. Washington raised liquor licensing fees by legislation in 2025, so check the current fee on the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board website before relying on any figure here. Figures were checked on Oct 13, 2026.

Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board publishes a fee sheet by license type. The fee often depends on the type of business, not just what it sells.

For a restaurant that serves spirits, beer, and wine, the fee is lower when at least half of the space is a dedicated dining area, and higher when less is. Beer and wine licenses cost much less than spirits licenses. The tavern row shows a range, with beer or wine alone at the low end and both at the high end. Nightclubs and sports entertainment facilities are priced as separate license types, according to Washington LCB.

North Carolina uses permits instead of a single license and prices each type separately.

A restaurant that serves mixed drinks needs the mixed beverages permit, listed at $1,000. Permits to sell malt beverages or wine for on-premises drinking are listed at $400 and $400. A bar or restaurant that wants to serve beer, wine, and mixed drinks would need more than one permit, so the total is the sum of each.

A beer and wine license is usually the cheaper route and is easier to get. A full spirits license costs more and may bring more conditions, such as requirements about food service, hours, or the type of business. Washington's fee sheet shows the gap clearly, with beer and wine licenses well below the spirits restaurant fee. Choose based on your menu and your customers. A restaurant that mainly sells wine with meals may not need a spirits license.

The state fee is rarely the full cost. Budget for:

• Application fees. Many states charge a separate, non-refundable fee when you apply, in addition to the annual fee.
• Local fees. Cities and counties may charge their own licensing or zoning fees.
• Background checks. Owners and managers may need to be fingerprinted.
• Server training. Staff who serve alcohol may need a certified permit.
• Legal help. Many applicants use a licensed attorney or a licensing consultant for a complex application.
• Transfer or purchase costs. In states that cap the number of licenses, buying an existing license from a current holder can cost far more than the state fee.
• Renewal. Most licenses must be renewed each year, and late renewals can carry a penalty.
• Insurance. Many landlords and states expect liquor liability coverage.

States treat alcohol differently. Some issue licenses on demand once you meet the rules. Others limit how many licenses exist in each county, which creates a resale market. Fee structures also vary. Some charge a flat fee by type, some by seating, some by population of the town, and some by the volume of sales. For this reason, a number from another state is a poor predictor of what you will pay.

1. Identify your state's alcohol regulator. It may be called an ABC board, a liquor control board, or a department of revenue.
2. Find its fee schedule for the license type you need.
3. Check for local approvals, such as zoning or a city permit, that come before the state license.
4. Ask about the application timeline, since delays mean rent paid on a space you cannot yet use.
5. Ask whether the fee is annual, and when renewal is due.