Georgia Liquor License: Costs, Dry Counties, and the County-by-County Maze
Updated April 2026 · Based on Georgia Department of Revenue, city of Atlanta licensing, and county ordinance data
Georgia has 159 counties — the second most of any state (after Texas's 254). Each county controls its own alcohol sales rules. Approximately 25 counties are completely dry, 30+ are "moist" (beer/wine only or wet-in-city/dry-in-county), and the remainder are fully wet. This creates the most granular alcohol licensing landscape in the Southeast: a restaurant two miles down the road in the next county may operate under completely different alcohol rules. The first step in any Georgia alcohol business isn't choosing your license type — it's verifying the wet/dry/moist status of your exact address.
The cost structure is split between state and local: the Georgia Department of Revenue issues the state license ($100–$1,500 depending on type), and your city or county issues the local license ($500–$10,000+ depending on jurisdiction and license type). Total first-year costs range from $2,000 for a beer/wine-only café in a small town to $12,000+ for a package store in Atlanta. Renewal is annual, and both state and local fees recur every year.
License Costs by Type
| License Type | State Fee | Local Fee (varies) | Total Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Package (liquor store) | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$10,000 | $3,000–$12,000 | Package stores are the most regulated and highest-fee license type. Many cities limit package store density (minimum distance from schools, churches, and other package stores). Fulton County alone charges $5,000/year for Atlanta addresses. |
| Retail Pouring (bar/restaurant — distilled spirits) | $500–$1,200 | $1,000–$5,000 | $2,000–$7,000 | Allows sale of all alcohol types (beer, wine, spirits) for on-premises consumption. Food sales minimum may apply (50% food sales requirement in some jurisdictions to qualify as "restaurant" vs "bar"). |
| Beer & Wine Only (pouring) | $100–$500 | $500–$2,500 | $750–$3,000 | Restaurants and cafes that serve only beer and wine. Significantly cheaper than full pouring. No spirits allowed — no cocktails, no shots. Good for pizza shops, cafes, and casual dining. |
| Brew Pub | $500–$1,000 | $500–$3,000 | $1,200–$4,500 | Allows on-site brewing and selling of own beer. Can also sell other manufacturers' beer and wine. Different from a manufacturer's license (which doesn't allow retail sales). Georgia brew pubs can sell up to 3,000 barrels/year for on-premises consumption. |
| Farm Winery / Distillery | $100–$500 | $200–$1,000 | $400–$1,500 | Georgia has expanded tasting room laws significantly since 2017. Distilleries can sell up to 500 barrels/year directly to visitors. Farm wineries can sell unlimited quantities to visitors. Tasting room hours vary by local ordinance. |
The Dry/Moist/Wet County System
Georgia's alcohol laws are determined at the county and city level through voter referendums. Understanding the three categories is essential before choosing a location:
- Dry counties (~25 counties): No alcohol sales of any kind — no retail, no restaurants, no bars. These are predominantly rural, South Georgia counties. Notable exceptions: some dry counties have wet cities within them (a city can hold its own referendum independent of the county). This creates situations where the city of Bainbridge is wet but surrounding Decatur County is dry.
- Moist counties (~30+ counties): Partial alcohol sales — typically beer and wine only (no distilled spirits), or wet in incorporated cities but dry in unincorporated county areas, or on-premises only (restaurants) but no off-premises (no liquor stores). The "moist" designation covers a wide range of partial restrictions that vary by county. Always verify the specific restrictions for your address.
- Wet counties (majority of counties): Full alcohol sales — package stores, bars, restaurants, all license types available. All metro Atlanta counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton) are wet. Most counties containing major cities are wet.
In Georgia, a county can be "wet" in its incorporated cities but "dry" in unincorporated areas. This means a restaurant on one side of a city limit line can serve alcohol, while a restaurant 500 feet away in unincorporated county cannot. Before signing any commercial lease, verify not just the county status but whether your specific address is within an incorporated city or in unincorporated county territory. Your landlord may not know or may not disclose this distinction.
Sunday Sales: The Opt-In Referendum
Georgia's 2011 Senate Bill 10 allowed local jurisdictions to hold referendums on Sunday alcohol sales — but did not mandate Sunday sales statewide. Each city and county must independently vote to allow Sunday sales. The result:
- Most metro areas: Sunday sales approved. Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and virtually all major suburban counties have voted to allow Sunday sales.
- Off-premises (package/liquor store) Sunday hours: Typically 12:30 PM–11:30 PM where approved. Some jurisdictions set earlier start times. No Sunday sales before 12:30 PM in any jurisdiction.
- On-premises (restaurant/bar) Sunday hours: Typically start at 11:00 AM or 12:30 PM depending on local ordinance. Brunch service without alcohol before the permitted start time is a common workaround — but cannot include mimosas or Bloody Marys until the Sunday start time.
- Not approved everywhere: Some rural and conservative-leaning jurisdictions have either not held the referendum or voted against Sunday sales. If your business relies on Sunday revenue (brunch restaurants, entertainment venues), confirm Sunday sales status before committing to a location.
Application Process and Timeline
Georgia requires both state and local licenses. The process runs in parallel but both must be approved before you can serve or sell alcohol.
- Local license application (city or county): Apply to your city or county alcohol licensing department. Requirements include: completed application, background check on all owners/managers (fingerprinting, $50–$200), zoning verification, distance measurements from schools/churches (varies — typically 300–600 feet depending on jurisdiction), proof of commercial lease, and publication of a legal notice in the local newspaper (2–4 weeks, $100–$300). Timeline: 30–90 days depending on jurisdiction. Some cities (Atlanta) have additional requirements like a neighborhood notification process.
- State license application (Georgia Department of Revenue): Apply through the Alcohol and Tobacco Division. Requirements: completed application, copy of local license (or proof of local application in progress), background check, surety bond ($1,000–$5,000 depending on license type), and federal Employer Identification Number. Timeline: 30–60 days.
- Total timeline: 60–120 days from initial application to both licenses in hand. Plan for 90 days as a realistic average. Do not sign a lease with an opening date that doesn't account for licensing timeline — many Georgia leases start rent on signing, and 3 months of rent during licensing ($5K–$15K) is an unrecoverable cost if licensing is delayed or denied.
Common Mistakes
- Not verifying wet/dry/moist status at the exact address. County-level research isn't enough. You need to verify the city/unincorporated distinction, Sunday sales approval, and any local distance restrictions (schools, churches, other alcohol establishments) for your specific address.
- Confusing pouring vs package licenses. A restaurant pouring license does not allow you to sell sealed bottles to go (with limited exceptions for wine). If you want to sell retail bottles, you need a separate package license — and many jurisdictions limit the number of package licenses.
- Ignoring the 50% food sales requirement. Many Georgia jurisdictions require "restaurants" holding a pouring license to derive at least 50% of gross revenue from food sales. A bar that doesn't serve food (or derives 60%+ of revenue from alcohol) may not qualify for a restaurant-category pouring license and would need a different license class — often with different fees and more restrictive regulations.
- Missing the legal notice requirement. Most cities require you to publish a notice of your alcohol license application in the legal section of a local newspaper for 2–4 consecutive weeks. Missing this step restarts the clock on your application timeline.
Liquor License Costs by State
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All cities →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a liquor license cost in Georgia?
Total annual cost ranges from $750–$3,000 for a beer/wine-only license to $3,000–$12,000+ for a retail package (liquor store) license. Georgia requires both a state license ($100–$1,500 depending on type) and a local license from your city or county ($500–$10,000+ depending on jurisdiction). The city of Atlanta charges $5,000/year alone for a package store local license. First-year costs also include application fees, background checks, and legal notice publication ($200–$500).
Which Georgia counties are dry?
Approximately 25 of Georgia's 159 counties are completely dry (no alcohol sales). Another 30+ are "moist" — beer/wine only, or wet in cities but dry in unincorporated areas. All metro Atlanta counties are fully wet. The dry/moist counties are predominantly rural, South Georgia locations. Critically, a city within a dry county can vote to go wet independently. Always verify the wet/dry status at your exact address, including the city vs unincorporated county distinction.
Can you buy liquor on Sunday in Georgia?
Yes, in jurisdictions that have opted in via local referendum (since 2011 state law change). Most metro areas and major cities have approved Sunday sales. Off-premises hours: typically 12:30 PM–11:30 PM. On-premises: typically 11:00 AM or 12:30 PM start depending on local ordinance. Some rural jurisdictions have not approved Sunday sales. Verify for your specific location before relying on Sunday revenue.
What's the difference between pouring and package licenses?
A pouring license allows on-premises consumption (bars, restaurants). A package license allows off-premises sales (liquor stores — sealed containers to go). These are separate licenses with separate fees. You cannot pour drinks with a package license or sell sealed bottles with a pouring license. Most restaurants need pouring only. A bar wanting to sell six-packs to go needs both. Many jurisdictions limit package license issuance — check availability before committing to a location for a liquor store.