Georgia Liquor License Cost
Fees, license types, and requirements from the Georgia Department of Revenue - Alcohol & Tobacco Division
How much does a liquor license cost in Georgia?
| Business Type | Scenario | Total Fee | Period | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Restaurant with beer and wine (on-premise, served by local pouring permit) | $200 | per year (state only) | RETAIL_MALT + RETAIL_WINE |
| Bar / Nightclub | Bar with full liquor (on-premise, local pouring permit required) | $300 | per year (state only) | RETAIL_PKG |
| Convenience Store | Convenience store selling beer and wine | $200 | per year (state only) | RETAIL_MALT + RETAIL_WINE |
| Brewery / Brewpub | Craft brewery with taproom | $1,100 | per year (state only) | BREWERY |
| Winery | Farm winery with tasting room | $150 | per year (state only) | FARM_WINERY |
| Distillery | Craft distillery with tastings | $1,100 | per year (state only) | DISTILLERY |
| Hotel / Resort | Hotel with in-room minibar service | $300 | per year (state only) | HOTEL_INROOM |
Georgia's County-by-County Licensing and the Gradual Expansion of Sunday Sales
Georgia's alcohol regulation is split between the Georgia Department of Revenue's Alcohol & Tobacco Division (state-level) and individual city/county governments (local-level). Both state and local licenses are required, and local jurisdictions have broad authority to set their own rules. Georgia has approximately 15,000 active state-level alcohol licenses. The state's regulatory landscape was significantly reshaped by the 2011 referendum that allowed local jurisdictions to approve Sunday alcohol sales — previously banned statewide since Prohibition.
Regulatory environment
Georgia has a moderately permissive state-level licensing framework but significant local-level variation. The state does not impose population-based quotas on any license type. However, local jurisdictions can and do impose their own restrictions, including limits on license numbers, zoning overlays, distance requirements from schools and churches, and hours of operation. Georgia has no dry counties at the state level since local option was adopted, but as of 2026, approximately 50 of Georgia's 159 counties remain at least partially dry — among the highest counts nationally alongside Alabama and Mississippi.
License availability
In wet jurisdictions, state-level licenses are available through standard application. The state processes applications within 30-60 days for uncontested cases. Local licensing adds a parallel process that can add 30-90 days. Georgia distinguishes between pouring licenses (on-premise) and package licenses (off-premise), with separate categories for beer/wine-only and full liquor. Restaurant licenses require that food sales constitute at least 50% of revenue. Georgia's craft brewery laws were modernized in 2017 to allow direct-to-consumer sales, and the state now has over 100 licensed craft breweries.
What drives costs
Georgia's state licensing fees are low: a distilled spirits pouring license costs $100/year, and a retail beer license is $50/year at the state level. However, local fees can be substantial — the City of Atlanta charges $5,000/year for a pouring license and $3,000/year for a package license. Total combined costs for a restaurant with full liquor in metro Atlanta run $5,000-$7,000/year. In smaller cities and rural counties, total costs may be $500-$2,000/year. The wide gap between metro and rural costs makes Georgia's effective licensing cost highly location-dependent.
Application process
Georgia's dual-licensing system requires applicants to obtain local city or county approval before applying for the state license through the Department of Revenue's Alcohol & Tobacco Division. A non-refundable $100 investigation fee covers the state background check. Local jurisdictions set their own application procedures, which may include public hearings, zoning board reviews, and distance measurements from schools and churches. The state application itself is straightforward and processes within 30 to 60 days, but the local component — particularly in metro Atlanta municipalities with complex zoning requirements — can extend the total timeline to 90 days or more.
Common pitfalls and denial reasons
Georgia applications are denied most frequently for distance requirement violations. Most Georgia municipalities enforce a 100-to-300-foot buffer from churches, schools, and recreation areas, and the measurement standard varies by city. Atlanta measures from property line; smaller cities may measure from entrance to entrance. Applicants who sign a lease without verifying the distance measurement method and then discover a violation have no recourse. Background checks in Georgia are thorough. Felony convictions within the past 10 years are disqualifying, and some municipalities go back 20 years or exclude certain misdemeanor categories as well. Sunday sales require a separate local ordinance enabling it and an additional permit or referendum approval in many Georgia municipalities. Operators who assume Sunday sales are universally permitted following the Georgia General Assembly's 2011 legislation discover that individual cities and counties still control Sunday approval.
Local quirks worth knowing
Georgia's alcohol licensing is unusually local even by Southern standards. Atlanta's pouring license costs $2,100-$4,000 annually depending on business type; Savannah charges $350-$600 for comparable licenses. This creates a licensing cost difference of nearly 10x between Georgia's two largest cities, making municipal selection a real business decision rather than just a real estate decision. Georgia still has meaningful dry county territory: as of 2026, roughly 30 of 159 counties are fully dry or have significant dry precincts, primarily in rural south and northeast Georgia. Fulton County's unincorporated areas have historically been the most permissive licensing environment in Metro Atlanta, which is why several large entertainment venues deliberately locate just outside city limits to avoid stricter city ordinances.
Need help getting started? Read our step-by-step licensing guide, or compare Georgia fees with other states using our comparison tool.
Georgia License Types
RETAIL_PKG Retail Dealer / Package Store License $200/yr
Sale of distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages in sealed packages for off-premise consumption.
State fee is $200/year. Local municipal fees often range from $1,000 to $5,000+ depending on the jurisdiction.
RETAIL_MALT Retail Malt Beverage License $50/yr
Sale of malt beverages (beer) in sealed packages for off-premise consumption.
Most affordable retail license. Often combined with Retail Wine license for beer and wine sales.
RETAIL_WINE Retail Wine License $50/yr
Sale of wine in sealed packages for off-premise consumption.
Often combined with Retail Malt Beverage license. Allows sale of wine in grocery and convenience stores.
HOTEL_INROOM Hotel In-Room Service License $200/yr
Allows hotels to provide alcoholic beverages through in-room minibars and room service.
Fee is $150 for beer+liquor or wine+liquor combinations; $200 for all three beverage types.
BREWERY Brewery License $1,000/yr
Manufacture and packaging of malt beverages. Allows taproom sales and limited direct-to-consumer sales.
Georgia breweries may sell up to 3,000 barrels per year directly to consumers for on-site and off-site consumption.
BREWPUB Brewpub License $1,000/yr
Manufacture of malt beverages on premises of a restaurant for on-site consumption and limited package sales.
Must operate a restaurant. Can sell beer brewed on-site for on-premise consumption and limited to-go sales.
WINERY Winery License $1,000/yr
Manufacture and sale of wine. Allows tasting room and direct-to-consumer sales.
Standard winery license for commercial wine production.
FARM_WINERY Farm Winery License $50/yr
Manufacture of wine primarily from Georgia-grown products. Allows tastings and direct sales.
Significantly lower fee than standard winery license. Must use a percentage of Georgia-grown fruit.
DISTILLERY Distillery License $1,000/yr
Manufacture of distilled spirits. Allows limited tastings and direct-to-consumer sales.
Georgia distilleries may offer tastings and sell up to 500 barrels per year directly to consumers.
SPECIAL_EVENT_NP Special Event License (Non-Profit) See details
Temporary permit for non-profit organizations to sell alcoholic beverages at events.
Per-event fee. Non-profit organizations only. Limited to specific event dates.
SPECIAL_EVENT_FP Special Event License (For-Profit) See details
Temporary permit for for-profit organizations to sell alcoholic beverages at events.
Beer/wine events are $50 each; distilled spirits events are $100. Per-event fee.
Requirements
General Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Background check required ($100 non-refundable investigation fee)
- Must obtain local city/county alcohol license before applying for state license
- Must comply with local zoning requirements
- Federal TTB permit required for manufacturers
- Georgia business registration required
Notable Restrictions
- Dual licensing system: both state AND local (city/county) licenses required
- Local fees vary widely by municipality and often exceed state fees significantly
- Dry counties still exist — several Georgia counties prohibit alcohol sales entirely
- Sunday sales permitted in jurisdictions that have voted to allow them (since 2011)
- Package stores (off-premise) cannot sell on Sundays before 12:30 PM where Sunday sales are allowed
- Distance restrictions from schools and churches vary by local ordinance
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a liquor license in Georgia?
Georgia doesn't use a quota system, so there's no secondary market for licenses. Instead of transferring, a new owner applies for their own state and local licenses from scratch. If you're buying an existing bar or restaurant, the seller's license stays with them — you'll need to get your own background check ($100 investigation fee), local government approval, and state license. The good news: since licenses aren't scarce, the main cost is time (30-60 days), not a secondary market premium.
Are there dry counties in Georgia?
Yes. Several Georgia counties remain fully or partially dry, prohibiting some or all alcohol sales. Each county and municipality decides independently whether to allow package sales, by-the-drink sales, or both. Even within a 'wet' county, individual cities may have different rules. Always confirm your specific municipality's alcohol ordinance before signing a lease — the Georgia Department of Revenue can direct you to the right local authority.
Can I sell alcohol on Sundays in Georgia?
Only if your local jurisdiction has voted to allow it. Since 2011, Georgia law permits Sunday sales, but each city and county must hold a referendum to opt in. Where approved, package stores can sell from 12:30 PM to 11:30 PM on Sundays, and restaurants/bars can serve from 12:30 PM to midnight (some jurisdictions allow brunch sales starting at 11:00 AM). Check your municipality — not all have opted in.
Why are Georgia's local license fees so much higher than state fees?
Georgia uses a dual-licensing system: you need both a state license and a local (city or county) license. State fees are low — $50-$200/year for most retail licenses — but local fees are where the real cost lives. Municipal pouring permits for on-premise liquor typically run $1,500-$5,000+ depending on the jurisdiction. Atlanta, for example, charges significantly more than small rural towns. Always budget for both layers when estimating total cost.
What's the cheapest type of liquor license in Georgia?
At the state level, Retail Malt Beverage (beer) and Retail Wine licenses are just $50/year each. A Farm Winery license is also $50/year if you use Georgia-grown fruit. The catch is that local fees will almost always exceed these amounts. For the lowest all-in cost, a convenience store selling beer and wine in a small town could pay as little as $200 state + $500-$1,000 local, while a full liquor pouring permit in Atlanta could run $5,000+ locally on top of the $200 state fee.
How does local approval work for Georgia liquor licenses?
Georgia liquor licensing is almost entirely local. The state issues a retailer's license, but local governments (city or county) issue the primary operating license and set the substantive requirements. Most Georgia cities and counties require a background check, zoning approval, a public notice period (typically 30 days), and a personal appearance before a city council or county commission. Fulton County's approval process routinely takes 90-120 days for new applications. Savannah's City Council has consolidated hearings that run quarterly, meaning timing of application can add weeks. The local license renewal date is separate from the state license, and failing to renew either on time triggers separate penalties.
What is a Georgia pouring license versus an off-premise license?
Georgia categorizes licenses by consumption context. A pouring license (retail consumption on-premise) authorizes alcohol by the drink at restaurants, bars, hotels, and clubs. An off-premise license (retail package) authorizes sale in sealed containers for consumption elsewhere. In some Georgia municipalities, a single business can hold both, but most jurisdictions require separate applications and licenses for each privilege. Georgia does not allow to-go cocktails statewide. Several municipalities piloted it during COVID under emergency orders but the state law reverted. Operators who want to offer cocktail to-go service need to verify current local ordinance status before adding it to marketing.
Can Georgia restaurants add alcohol service after opening without a new license?
Adding alcohol service to an existing restaurant in Georgia requires applying for a new local and state license. There is no add-on permit. The full application process must be completed including background checks, public notice, zoning approval, and local council approval. Timeline: 60-120 days depending on the municipality. The practical implication for restaurant groups: apply for the alcohol license concurrently with or immediately after the business license, not after soft opening. Opening food-only and then applying for alcohol service is a common mistake that delays first alcohol sales by 4 or more months.
Sources
Data sourced from the Georgia Department of Revenue - Alcohol & Tobacco Division. Last verified 2026-04-02.