South Carolina Liquor License Cost
Fees, license types, and requirements from the South Carolina Department of Revenue, Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL)
How much does a liquor license cost in South Carolina?
| Business Type | Scenario | Total Fee | Period | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Full-service restaurant with liquor, beer, and wine | $4,405 | per 2 years | PLB + PO7 |
| Restaurant | Restaurant with beer and wine only | $900 | per 2 years | PBW |
| Bar / Nightclub | Bar with full liquor service | $4,405 | per 2 years | PLB + PO7 |
| Brewery / Brewpub | Brewpub with on-premise consumption | $2,500 | per 2 years | PBB |
| Convenience Store | Convenience store selling beer and wine | $2,500 | per 2 years | P7B |
| Distillery | Craft micro distillery with tasting room | $5,400 | per 2 years | PMD |
| Winery | Domestic winery with tasting room and shipping | $900 | per 2 years | PDW |
South Carolina's Revenue Department Licensing and the Mini-Bottle Legacy
South Carolina's alcohol regulation is administered by the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR), Alcohol Beverage Licensing division. The state has approximately 8,000 active alcohol licenses. South Carolina's regulatory history includes a unique legacy: until 2006, the state required all on-premise spirits to be served from 1.5-oz mini-bottles rather than poured from standard bottles. This mini-bottle mandate was eliminated by a 2006 voter referendum, and free-pour has been standard ever since. The state now operates under a conventional licensing system.
Regulatory environment
South Carolina has a moderately permissive licensing environment. The state does not impose population-based quotas on any license type. SCDOR processes applications through a relatively straightforward system. The state distinguishes between beer and wine permits (Department of Revenue) and liquor licenses (also Department of Revenue, but under separate statutory authority). South Carolina's main restrictions are proximity-based: no on-premise license within 300 feet of a school, playground, or church. Local jurisdictions can impose additional restrictions through zoning.
License availability
All license types are available through standard application without quota or lottery. Processing time is 30-60 days for uncontested applications. South Carolina's license types include: retail dealer (on-premise, full liquor), retail beer and wine, manufacturer, wholesale, and special event. The state's craft brewery laws were modernized in 2014 and 2019, allowing breweries to sell directly to consumers and expanding taproom privileges. South Carolina has over 140 craft breweries as of 2026, with Charleston and Greenville as the primary hubs. The state also has a growing craft distillery scene, with over 30 licensed distilleries.
What drives costs
South Carolina's licensing fees are moderate. A retail dealer (on-premise, full liquor) license costs $300-$500/year. A beer and wine retail permit costs $200-$300/year. These state fees are among the lower in the nation. Local business license fees add $200-$1,000 depending on the municipality. Total first-year costs for a full-service restaurant are typically $1,000-$2,000. South Carolina's costs are in line with other Southeastern states like Georgia and North Carolina. The absence of a quota system and the relatively low fees make South Carolina one of the more affordable states for alcohol licensing.
Application process
Applications are filed with SCDOR's Alcohol Beverage Licensing section, requiring a completed application form, premises diagram, proof of property ownership or lease, and corporate formation documents. SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) conducts background checks on all applicants and individuals with ownership interests. The applicant must post a public notice at the premises for 15 days before the license can be issued. Local zoning compliance must be verified through the county or municipal planning department before SCDOR will process the application.
Common pitfalls and denial reasons
The 300-foot proximity restriction from schools, churches, and playgrounds is measured from the nearest property lines, and marginal cases are strictly interpreted — a few feet too close results in denial with no variance process. Applications with incomplete SLED background results are held indefinitely. Some rural counties have vocal opposition groups that file written protests during the 15-day posting period, triggering a hearing. Operators who previously held licenses that were revoked for violations are flagged in SCDOR's system and face automatic denial for a period of years.
Local quirks worth knowing
South Carolina's mini-bottle era left a lasting mark: some older establishments still have cases of unused mini-bottles in storage, and a generation of bartenders trained exclusively on the 1.5-oz format. The state was one of the last to allow Sunday alcohol sales statewide, with some municipalities only approving Sunday sales as recently as 2019. Charleston's restaurant and bar scene on King Street is nationally recognized, and the city has become one of the top hospitality markets in the Southeast. South Carolina law still prohibits happy hour advertising that mentions specific drink prices — establishments can promote happy hour but cannot advertise the discounted price.
Need help getting started? Read our step-by-step licensing guide, or compare South Carolina fees with other states using our comparison tool.
South Carolina License Types
PLB Business/Restaurant/Hotel Liquor by the Drink License $1,705
Sale of liquor, beer, and wine for on-premise consumption at restaurants, hotels, and similar businesses.
Biennial license fee of $1,705 (due every 2 years). Filing fee of $200 is non-refundable. Prorated upon initial approval.
PBW On-Premises Beer & Wine Permit $600
Sale of beer and wine for on-premise consumption and to-go sales.
Biennial permit fee of $600 (due every 2 years). Filing fee of $300 is non-refundable. Allows to-go sales in addition to on-premise.
PO7 7-Day On-Premises Beer & Wine Permit $2,200
Sale of beer and wine for on-premise consumption and to-go, 7 days a week with no hour restrictions.
Biennial permit fee of $2,200 (due every 2 years). Premium over PBW for 7-day/unrestricted hours.
PBG Off-Premises Beer & Wine Permit $600
Sale of beer and wine in sealed containers for off-premise consumption, 6 days per week.
Biennial permit fee of $600. Sales must stop by 11:59 PM Saturday. 6 days per week.
P7B 7-Day Off-Premises Beer & Wine Permit $2,200
Sale of beer and wine in sealed containers for off-premise consumption, 7 days per week, 24 hours.
Biennial permit fee of $2,200. Only available in approved counties. 7-day/24-hour sales.
PRL Retail Liquor Store License $1,400
Sale of liquor and wines up to 21% ABV for off-premise consumption.
Biennial license fee of $1,400. Traditional liquor store license.
PBB Brewpub Permit $2,200
Manufacturing of beer with on-premise and off-premise sales of beer and wine.
Biennial permit fee of $2,200. Combined brewing and restaurant operation.
PMD Liquor Micro Distillery License $5,200
Manufacturing of distilled spirits up to 125,000 cases annually with limited retail sales.
Biennial license fee of $5,200. Maximum 125,000 cases per year of spirits over 17% ABV.
PDW Domestic Winery Permit $600
Manufacturing of wine using at least 60% South Carolina fruit juice with retail and consumer shipping.
Biennial permit fee of $600. Must use at least 60% SC-sourced fruit juice. Can ship direct to consumer.
PLC Nonprofit/Private Club Liquor by the Drink License $1,705
Sale of liquor for on-premise consumption at chartered nonprofit organizations and private clubs.
Biennial license fee of $1,705. Restricted to chartered nonprofit organizations.
TBP Beer & Wine Special Event Permit See details
Temporary permit for sale of beer and wine at special events.
$10 per day. Temporary permit for special events.
Requirements
General Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Background check required for all applicants
- Non-refundable filing fee due at time of application
- Prorated license fee due upon approval
- Must comply with local zoning ordinances
- Businesses open after 5 PM selling alcohol must carry $1 million liquor liability insurance
Notable Restrictions
- South Carolina uses a three-tier system: manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers
- Beer and wine permits and liquor licenses are separate — a business may need both
- Liquor by the drink requires a separate license from beer and wine permits
- Mini-bottles were required until 2006; now free-pour is standard
- Some counties are dry or have local option restrictions on Sunday sales
- Off-premise beer and wine sales (non-7-day) must stop by 11:59 PM Saturday
- All ABL licenses are biennial (2-year) licenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a liquor license in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not allow true license transfers. When a business changes ownership, the new owner must submit a fresh application to the Department of Revenue ABL. The existing license is cancelled and a new biennial license is issued to the new owner. This means there is no secondary market for SC licenses — you cannot buy a license from a closing bar. Prorated fees apply for licenses issued mid-cycle.
Are there dry counties in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina has local option laws that allow counties and municipalities to restrict alcohol sales. Several rural counties remain partially or fully dry, particularly for Sunday sales or off-premise liquor sales. Before signing a lease, verify whether your specific county allows the type of sale you plan — particularly if you need a 7-Day permit (PO7 or P7B), as those require local approval and are not available everywhere.
Can I sell alcohol on Sundays in South Carolina?
It depends on your county. South Carolina has local option Sunday sales — counties vote on whether to permit Sunday alcohol sales. Many urban counties (Charleston, Richland, Greenville, Horry) allow Sunday sales. Some rural counties prohibit them. On-premise Sunday sales also vary. If you are in an approved county, the 7-Day On-Premises permit (PO7) at $2,200 per 2 years covers Sunday service. Check with the SC ABL and your county directly, as rules change when counties hold new votes.
What is the cheapest type of liquor license in South Carolina?
The On-Premises Beer & Wine Permit (PBW) is the most affordable path at $300 filing fee plus $600 biennial renewal — about $450/year effective cost. It covers beer and wine on-premise and allows to-go sales. Note that South Carolina separates beer and wine permits from liquor licenses, so a full-bar restaurant needs both the PLB (liquor by the drink) and a beer and wine permit, which totals roughly $2,100+ in filing and license fees per 2 years. The cheapest special event option is the Beer & Wine Special Event Permit at $10 per day.
Does South Carolina still require mini bottles?
No. South Carolina's notorious mini-bottle requirement — which mandated that bars could only pour spirits from 1.7 oz single-serving bottles — was repealed in 2006 following a 2004 voter referendum. Free-pour is now standard. The mini-bottle era significantly inflated drink prices and was a competitive disadvantage for SC hospitality businesses. Today SC bars pour like everywhere else, and the old requirement is mostly a historical curiosity for long-time industry veterans.
Sources
Data sourced from the South Carolina Department of Revenue, Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL). Last verified 2026-03-26.