Beer, wine, and liquor licenses: costs and how to get one

Last updated 2026-07-25

what does a "beer, wine, and co" license actually cover

"Beer, wine, and co" (sometimes written "beer, wine, and cordials" or just BWC) is industry shorthand for a license tier that sits below a full liquor license. It typically covers malt beverages, wine, and in some states low-proof cordials or fortified wines, but not distilled spirits like whiskey, vodka, gin, or tequila served straight or in cocktails. The exact scope depends entirely on your state's alcohol beverage control (ABC) code. Some states define a specific "beer and wine" license class with a fixed statutory fee and no cap on the number issued. Others fold cordials, ciders, or low-ABV spirits-based seltzers into that same tier. There's no federal definition of "beer, wine, and co" license; it's a state-level license class, and the label varies (some states call it a Class B license, others a Series 3, others a Retail BW). What's consistent almost everywhere: a beer-and-wine license is cheaper, faster to get, and far less likely to be capped by a quota tied to county population, which is the opposite of how many states treat full liquor ("on-premise consumption") licenses. If your concept is a wine bar, a pizza place, a beer-focused taproom, or a casual restaurant that doesn't need a full bar program, this tier is often the right call and can save you real money and real time. Before you assume this license fits, check your state ABC's license class list directly. The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, for example, publishes its full license type breakdown showing which classes permit beer and wine only versus beer, wine, and liquor ^[1].

how much is a liquor license

There's no single national number, and anyone who gives you one flat figure is guessing. The honest answer: it depends on your state, your license type, whether that type is capped by quota, and whether you're buying new from the state or transferring an existing license on the open market. At the low end, a straightforward beer-and-wine license with no quota cap might cost a few hundred to low-thousands of dollars in application and issuance fees, paid directly to the state ABC agency. Confirm the exact fee with your state ABC authority, since it changes and varies by license subtype and sometimes by city population tier. At the high end, a full liquor (on-premise consumption) license in a quota state can run into the tens of thousands or, in tight urban markets, well over $100,000 when you're buying an existing license on the secondary market rather than getting a new one from the state. Florida is the most cited example of this: its quota liquor licenses ("4COP" for full liquor) are capped by county population under Florida Statutes Chapter 561, and in built-out counties they trade privately for large sums because the state isn't issuing new ones ^[2]. The honest range: figure a few hundred dollars on the low end for beer-and-wine-only classes in non-quota states, and anywhere from several thousand to over $100,000 for full liquor in a capped market. Always confirm with your state ABC authority before you budget, and if you're buying an existing license through a transfer, get the actual asking price in writing, not a rumor from another operator.

how much is a liquor license in florida

Florida's system is quota-based for full liquor ("4COP") licenses, and that's exactly why Florida shows up so often in searches for license cost. Under Florida Statutes section 561.20, the number of new quota liquor licenses issued in a county is tied to that county's population, with the state issuing (roughly) one new license per a set population increment, and additional licenses issued by special election in some cases ^[2]. The statute itself states that new quota licenses become available "one license for each additional 7,500 residents or fraction thereof of increase" in a county, depending on the specific population bracket ^[2]. Because the count is capped, in built-out counties where the state isn't issuing new ones, existing 4COP licenses trade on the secondary market, and demand-driven pricing there can run from the tens of thousands into six figures depending on the county. That's a private transaction price, not a state fee, so it swings hard with local market demand. Beer and wine license classes in Florida are different. Florida issues license types like the 1COP (beer only) and 2COP (beer and wine) without the same population-based quota restriction that applies to full liquor consumption licenses, so these tend to be far cheaper and more available directly from the state ^[1]. If your concept doesn't need a full bar, staying in the 1COP/2COP lane in Florida can save you from ever touching the quota liquor secondary market. Confirm current fee schedules and quota counts directly with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco before you budget or sign a lease contingent on licensing timeline ^[1].

how much is a liquor licence in florida vs. other states

Beer & wine only, non-quota state	Low, confirm exact fee with state ABC	Fastest
Full liquor, non-quota state	Moderate, set state fee schedule	Moderate
Full liquor, quota state, new license available	State fee plus possible lottery/application process	Slow, uncertain
Full liquor, quota state, none available (transfer only)	Market price, often tens of thousands to $100,000+	Depends on finding a seller	Because the gap between these buckets is so large, the single most important early step in planning a bar or restaurant opening is confirming which bucket your state and county fall into, months before you sign a lease. For state-specific detail, see our state guides for how individual states structure their license classes.

Spelling aside ("licence" vs "license"), the underlying question is the same, and the answer is: it depends which state you mean, because every state runs its own ABC agency with its own fee schedule and its own quota rules (or lack of them). A rough way to think about it: states fall into two buckets. Quota states cap the number of full liquor licenses by population or geography (Florida, and in different ways states like New Jersey, where retail consumption licenses are also tied to municipal population under N.J.S.A. 33:1-12.14 ^[3]). Non-quota (or "license on demand") states issue a license to anyone who qualifies and pays the fee, with no hard population cap, though local zoning and city-level caps can still apply. Non-quota states are generally cheaper and faster for full liquor, while quota states push you toward either a long wait for a new license or an expensive transfer of an existing one. | Situation | Typical cost pattern | Speed |

how to get a liquor license (the general process)

Every state's process differs in the details, but the broad shape is consistent enough to plan around. Here's the sequence most new operators go through. First, confirm your license type. Figure out whether your concept needs full liquor, or whether a beer-and-wine class covers it. This decision alone can change your budget by tens of thousands of dollars, so don't skip it just because "full bar" sounds better on paper. Second, check quota and availability. Contact your state ABC authority (and often your county or city clerk) to find out if your license type is capped in your area, and if so, whether new licenses are currently available or whether you'll need to buy an existing one through a transfer. Third, confirm zoning and local approval requirements. Many cities require a separate local permit, a public hearing, or sign-off from planning and zoning before the state will finalize your license, and some have their own distance rules from schools or churches that go beyond state law. Fourth, gather your application package. This typically includes business formation documents, lease or proof of location control, floor plans, background checks and fingerprints for owners/managers, financial disclosure, and sometimes a surety bond. The federal side runs in parallel: if you'll be involved in any manufacturing, importing, or wholesale activity (more than retail on-premise sales), you may also need a Federal Basic Permit through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) under 27 CFR Part 1, which is separate from your state retail license ^[4]. Fifth, submit, pay fees, and wait. Processing time varies wildly, from a few weeks for a simple beer-and-wine application in a low-volume county to many months for a full liquor license with public notice periods and hearings. Sixth, complete any required responsible-service training for staff and managers before you open, since many states require it as a condition of maintaining the license, more than getting it.

how to obtain a liquor license if you're buying an existing business

If you're taking over a location that already had a bar or restaurant with a liquor license, you're usually looking at a license transfer, not a brand-new application, and that changes the process and often the cost. Transfers still go through the state ABC agency, and the agency still runs background checks on the new owner(s), still requires the same kind of application paperwork, and still enforces the same zoning and local approval steps. What's different is that you're not competing for a capped new license; you're taking over rights to one that already exists, which is why transfers are common in quota states like Florida where new full liquor licenses in built-out counties simply aren't available. A few things trip people up here. First, licenses are often tied to both the person and the location, so moving a license to a new address (even a few blocks away) can trigger a different, sometimes harder process than a straight ownership transfer. Second, the seller's license has to be in good standing, meaning no unresolved violations or unpaid fees, or the transfer can stall. Third, price negotiation on the license itself is entirely separate from the state's transfer fee; the market price you pay the seller for a scarce quota license has nothing to do with what the state charges to process the paperwork. Get everything in writing, confirm the license is transferable to your intended location, and confirm with your state ABC authority exactly what documentation the seller needs to provide before you wire any money.

can you serve alcohol without a liquor license

No, not for a business open to the public. Selling or serving alcohol without the proper state license is illegal in every U.S. state, and it typically carries criminal penalties, more than civil fines, along with immediate risk to any other licenses or permits your business holds. There are narrow exceptions that don't apply to a restaurant or bar: private events where alcohol isn't sold (BYOB scenarios, for instance, are regulated differently state to state and sometimes still require a permit), certain nonprofit one-day event permits, and personal, non-commercial use. None of these substitute for a retail liquor license if you're running a business that sells drinks to the public. Separately, federal law requires anyone in the business of producing, importing, or wholesaling alcohol to hold a Federal Basic Permit from the TTB under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. Section 203), regardless of state licensing ^[4]. Most retail bars and restaurants selling only to consumers on-site don't need this federal permit; it mainly applies to producers, importers, and wholesalers. But your state retail license is non-negotiable at the local level no matter what. If you're opening while your license application is still pending, do not serve alcohol before the state issues the license or grants a temporary permit, if one is available. Some states offer a temporary operating permit for a fee while the full application processes; ask your state ABC authority directly whether that's an option for your license type.

how to get bartending license and does every state require one

"Bartending license" is a common phrase, but most states don't actually issue a license to individual bartenders. What they require instead is a responsible alcohol service certification, sometimes called an RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) card, TIPS certification, or a state-specific server permit. The requirement varies heavily by state. Utah, for example, requires alcohol servers and managers to complete state-approved alcohol training and obtain a permit under Utah Code Section 32B-5-203, while other states leave it optional unless a city or county mandates it locally, or an insurer requires it ^[5]. Many states that don't mandate it still strongly encourage it, and some liability insurance policies for bars price it into their premiums. To get certified, you typically take a short course (often a few hours, in person or online) through a state-approved provider, covering topics like checking ID, recognizing signs of intoxication, and understanding your state's dram shop liability laws. Certificates usually need renewal every one to three years depending on the state. Check your state ABC authority's website for its list of approved training providers before paying for any course, since some states will only accept certificates from providers on their approved list, and a card from an unapproved provider can be worthless for compliance purposes.

can anyone take the bar exam (and why this isn't the same question)

This one trips up search engines because "bar" is overloaded. "The bar exam" refers to the licensing test for lawyers, administered state by state, and it has nothing to do with a liquor license or serving alcohol at a bar. To sit for the bar exam in most states, you generally need to have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (or meet an alternative pathway some states allow, like California's registered law study program), and you need to apply through your state's bar admission authority. Requirements, including whether a non-ABA-accredited degree qualifies, differ by state, so check your specific state bar's admission rules directly. If you landed here searching for information on becoming a lawyer, that's a completely separate track from restaurant and bar liquor licensing; you'd want your state bar admissions office, not your state ABC agency. For reference on state bar systems, see our pages on the florida bar and the florida bar member search, plus the california bar.

how to back-plan your license timeline from your opening date

If you've already signed a lease and picked an opening date, work backward from that date rather than forward from today, because license processing time is usually the longest single item on your pre-opening checklist. Start by confirming, with your state ABC authority, the current average processing time for your specific license type and county. This single data point changes everything else in your plan. A beer-and-wine license in a low-demand area might clear in a matter of weeks. A full liquor quota transfer in a dense urban county can take months, especially if a hearing or public notice period is required. Build in buffer for the parts you don't control: background check turnaround, local zoning sign-off, any required public notice or objection period, and the state's own backlog. If your state offers a temporary permit while the full application is pending, find out the eligibility rules early, since it can be the difference between opening on schedule with beer and wine only versus delaying your full bar program by a few weeks. This is exactly the kind of planning gap that's easy to underestimate when you're focused on build-out and hiring. A tool like LiquorReady's $199 License Roadmap Builder exists specifically to back-plan your state's license steps, fees, and typical timelines against your target opening date, so you're not discovering a six-week zoning hearing requirement two weeks before your grand opening.

what does it cost beyond the license fee itself

The license fee is rarely the whole budget line. Plan for several adjacent costs that catch new operators off guard. Application and legal costs: even without hiring a lawyer, expect fees for background checks, fingerprinting, notarized documents, and sometimes a required newspaper publication of your intent to apply (some states and counties still require this as a public notice step). Surety bonds: some states require a bond as a condition of licensure, with the amount set by statute or agency rule and varying by license type; confirm the current bond requirement with your state ABC authority. Local permits: your city or county may charge its own alcohol permit fee on top of the state license, plus zoning or conditional use permit fees if your location needs a variance. Training and compliance: responsible service certification for staff, POS or ID-scanning systems some states require, and ongoing renewal fees (most licenses aren't one-time purchases; they renew annually or biennially at a set fee). Market price if you're transferring: in quota states, remember the price you negotiate with a seller for an existing license is separate from, and often far larger than, any state processing fee.

how do quotas actually work and why they drive up cost

A liquor license quota caps the total number of a given license type that a state or county will issue, usually tied to population (for example, one license per some fixed number of residents). Florida's system under Florida Statutes 561.20 is the most commonly cited example, tying new quota license issuance to county population counts ^[2]. When a county hits its cap and isn't growing fast enough to trigger new licenses, the only way to get that license type is to buy one from an existing holder. That's a private market transaction, and price is set by supply and demand among local operators, not by the state. This is why quota liquor license prices vary enormously by county even within the same state: a fast-growing county might issue new licenses regularly and keep secondary market prices low, while a built-out urban county with no new licenses coming can see prices climb into six figures. Non-quota license types (often beer-and-wine classes, and full liquor in some states) don't have this dynamic. The state issues them to anyone who qualifies and pays the fee, with no hard cap, so price stays tied to the statutory fee schedule rather than a private market. Understanding which bucket your target license and county fall into is the single biggest driver of your total cost, more than any other factor in this whole process. Related reading: our quota and transfers overview walks through how transfer pricing typically works across states.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a liquor license?

It depends entirely on state, license type, and whether a quota applies. Beer-and-wine-only licenses in non-quota states can run a few hundred to low-thousands of dollars in state fees. Full liquor licenses in quota states, bought on the secondary market, can run tens of thousands to over $100,000. Always confirm the exact current fee with your state ABC authority.

How much is a liquor license in Florida?

Florida's quota (4COP) liquor licenses are capped by county population under Florida Statutes 561.20, and in built-out counties existing licenses trade privately, often for large sums. Beer-and-wine classes like 1COP and 2COP aren't subject to the same population quota and are generally far cheaper directly from the state. Confirm current figures with Florida's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.

How do I get a liquor license?

Confirm your needed license type and whether it's capped by quota in your county, check local zoning and permit requirements, assemble your application (business documents, lease, background checks, floor plans), submit to your state ABC agency with fees, and complete any required responsible service training before opening. Timelines and steps vary heavily by state.

How do I obtain a liquor license if I'm buying an existing bar?

You'll typically file for a license transfer rather than a new application. The state ABC agency still runs background checks and requires similar paperwork, but you're taking over an existing license rather than competing for a new one. Confirm the seller's license is in good standing and that it's transferable to your specific location before finalizing any purchase price.

How do I obtain a liquor licence (UK/Canada spelling)?

This article covers U.S. state-level liquor licensing through each state's ABC (alcoholic beverage control) authority. If you're asking about the UK, Canada, or another country, licensing runs through a different national or provincial system entirely (in the UK, for example, through local council licensing authorities), and you should check that country's specific regulator.

How do I get a bartending license?

Most states don't issue an individual bartender "license" but do have responsible alcohol service certification programs (often called RBS, TIPS, or a state server permit). Requirements to complete one vary by state, some mandate it, others leave it optional or leave it to local jurisdictions or insurers to require. Check your state ABC authority's approved provider list before paying for a course.

Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?

No. Selling alcohol to the public without the required state license is illegal everywhere in the U.S. and typically carries criminal, more than civil, penalties. Narrow exceptions exist for private, non-commercial situations and certain one-day nonprofit event permits, but none of these cover a restaurant or bar serving the public commercially.

Can anyone take the bar exam?

That question is about the legal profession's licensing exam for attorneys, unrelated to liquor licensing. Most states require graduation from an ABA-accredited law school (or an approved alternative path) before you can sit for the exam, and specific eligibility rules are set by each state's bar admission authority, not a federal standard.

What's the difference between a beer and wine license and a full liquor license?

A beer and wine license covers malt beverages and wine (sometimes cordials or low-proof options), while a full liquor license adds distilled spirits like whiskey, vodka, and tequila. Beer and wine licenses are usually cheaper, faster to get, and rarely capped by quota, while full liquor licenses are often quota-capped in states like Florida.

Do I need a separate federal license to serve alcohol in my restaurant?

Usually no. A Federal Basic Permit from the TTB under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act is mainly required for producers, importers, and wholesalers, not for retail restaurants and bars selling only to consumers on-site. Your state (and often local) retail liquor license is the one that governs a typical bar or restaurant.

How long does it take to get a liquor license before opening?

There's no single timeline; it ranges from a few weeks for a simple non-quota beer and wine license to many months for a full liquor license requiring a quota transfer, public notice, or hearing. Confirm current average processing time for your exact license type and county directly with your state ABC authority, and build in buffer before committing to an opening date.

What happens if my liquor license isn't approved by my opening date?

You cannot legally serve alcohol until the license is issued or a valid temporary permit is granted, if your state offers one. Many operators open serving food only, or delay their grand opening, rather than risk serving without authorization, since penalties can include losing the license application entirely and facing criminal charges.

Sources

1. Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, License Types: Florida license classes distinguish beer-only (1COP), beer and wine (2COP), and full liquor (4COP) license types
2. Florida Statutes, Section 561.20: Florida caps the number of new quota liquor licenses issued per county based on county population, at one license per 7,500 residents in the relevant bracket
3. 27 CFR Part 1, Basic Permit Requirements Under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act: Businesses engaged in producing, importing, or wholesaling alcohol must hold a Federal Basic Permit under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, 27 U.S.C. Section 203
4. New Jersey Statutes, N.J.S.A. 33:1-12.14: New Jersey ties the number of retail consumption liquor licenses a municipality may issue to that municipality's population
5. Utah Code, Section 32B-5-203: Utah requires alcohol servers and managers to complete state-approved alcohol training and hold a permit as a condition of serving