Virginia Liquor License Cost
Fees, license types, and requirements from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC)
How much does a liquor license cost in Virginia?
| Business Type | Scenario | Total Fee | Period | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Restaurant with full bar (up to 100 seats) | $1,115 | first year ($65 application + $1,050 annual) | MBR |
| Restaurant | Restaurant with beer and wine only | $515 | first year ($65 application + $450 annual) | ON_OFF_WB |
| Restaurant | Restaurant with full bar plus off-site catering | $3,105 | first year ($65 application + $3,040 annual for 1-100 seats) | MBC_MBR |
| Grocery Store | Grocery store selling beer and wine | $365 | first year ($65 application + $300 annual) | OFF_WB |
| Brewery / Brewpub | Small craft brewery (under 500 barrels) | $445 | first year ($65 application + $380 annual) | BREWERY |
| Winery | Farm winery with tasting room | $340 | first year ($65 application + $275 annual for Class I/II) | FARM_WINERY |
| Caterer | Full-service caterer with spirits | $2,055 | first year ($65 application + $1,990 annual) | MBC |
Virginia's ABC Authority Control System and the Transition to Modernized Licensing
Virginia's alcohol regulation is managed by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC), an independent state authority that functions as both the licensing body and the sole wholesale distributor and retailer of distilled spirits. Virginia ABC operates approximately 400 retail stores statewide, making it one of the largest state-run liquor retail operations in the country. The Authority also licenses and regulates on-premise establishments, manufacturers, and distributors. Virginia has approximately 17,000 active alcohol licenses.
Regulatory environment
Virginia has a moderately permissive on-premise licensing environment with no population-based quotas for most license types. The ABC Authority processes applications through regional offices, and most on-premise licenses are granted through standard review. Virginia's control-state model primarily affects off-premise spirits — all packaged spirits are sold through state ABC stores. The state has been gradually modernizing its alcohol laws: in 2020, Virginia legalized cocktails-to-go (made permanent in 2022), and the legislature has periodically discussed privatizing spirits sales, though the ABC retail monopoly remains as of 2026.
License availability
Restaurant and bar licenses are available without quota through standard application. Processing time is 45-90 days. Virginia's license types include: on-premises (restaurant, club, hotel, mixed beverage), off-premises (beer and wine retail), manufacturer (brewery, winery, distillery), and various specialty licenses. Virginia's craft beverage sector is substantial: the state has over 300 craft breweries (10th nationally), over 300 wineries (5th nationally, concentrated in the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley), and over 75 distilleries. Farm winery, limited brewery, and craft distillery licenses are non-quota and have straightforward application processes.
What drives costs
Virginia's licensing fees are moderate. A mixed beverage restaurant license costs $560/year for a small restaurant (under 100 seats) and up to $1,725/year for large establishments (over 500 seats). A beer and wine on-premise license costs $240-$350/year. These fees are among the more affordable on the East Coast. Virginia ABC's control-state markup on spirits (approximately 69% on most products) affects on-premise operators' cost of goods, which is an indirect cost not reflected in the license fee. Total first-year costs for a full-service restaurant run $1,500-$3,000 including all state fees and local taxes.
Application process
Applications are filed through Virginia ABC's online licensing portal or at regional offices in Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Roanoke. Required documents include a completed application, premises floor plan, menu, corporate formation documents, and food-to-beverage revenue projections for mixed beverage licenses. All individuals with 10% or more ownership must undergo Virginia State Police and FBI fingerprint background checks. ABC conducts a premises inspection and may interview neighboring property owners before issuing approval.
Common pitfalls and denial reasons
Mixed beverage license applications are denied when the applicant cannot demonstrate that food service will constitute a substantial portion of operations. Virginia requires food availability during all hours of alcohol service, and applicants who plan to serve only appetizers or close the kitchen early face conditional approvals with restrictions. Applications near schools and churches face mandatory objection notifications to those institutions, and the Virginia ABC Board gives those institutions formal protest standing. A church objection does not automatically deny an application but adds a formal hearing requirement and a public record. Financial disclosure requirements are comprehensive. Virginia requires documentation of all funding sources and has denied applications where investors were not fully disclosed or where the source of funds could not be traced. License transfers typically take 60-90 days, and sellers who fail to plan for the transfer timeline discover that closing a business sale does not coincide with license transfer approval.
Local quirks worth knowing
Virginia's ABC stores generate over $1.1 billion in annual revenue for the state, funding government programs that would require tax increases or cuts if privatization occurred, which is why Virginia's privatization debate remains perpetually unresolved despite periodic legislative proposals. Northern Virginia's proximity to Washington, D.C. creates a cross-border dynamic: Virginia restaurants can charge $12 for a cocktail that costs $18 in D.C. for the same spirit, because spirits prices are lower at Virginia ABC stores than in D.C.'s private retail market. Virginia's mixed beverage restaurant license (MBR) requires a commercial kitchen and food service during all hours of alcohol service, which effectively bars any standalone cocktail bar concept unless it incorporates a meaningful food program, shaping Northern Virginia's nightlife toward restaurant-bars rather than cocktail lounges.
Need help getting started? Read our step-by-step licensing guide, or compare Virginia fees with other states using our comparison tool.
Virginia License Types
MBR Mixed Beverage Restaurant $1,050/yr
Full bar at restaurants: beer, wine, and spirits for on-premise consumption. Must operate as a bona fide restaurant with full food service.
Fee tiers by seating: 1-100 seats $1,050; 101-150 seats $1,495; 151-500 seats $1,980; 501-1,000 seats $2,500; over 1,000 seats $3,100.
LMBR Limited Mixed Beverage Restaurant $945/yr
Allows service of spirits, beer, and wine with some restrictions compared to full mixed beverage license. Lower cost option for smaller restaurants.
Fee tiers: 1-100 seats $945; 101-150 seats $1,385; over 150 seats $1,875.
ON_OFF_WB Retail On-and-Off Premises Wine and Beer $450/yr
Allows sale and consumption of wine and beer on premises, plus sale of beer in closed containers for off-premise consumption.
Wine and beer only — no spirits. Popular for restaurants that don't need a full bar.
OFF_WB Retail Off-Premises Wine and Beer $300/yr
Allows off-premise retail sale of wine and beer in sealed containers for consumption off premises.
For retail stores. Off-premise only. No spirits.
MBC Mixed Beverage Caterer $1,990/yr
Allows catering of beer, wine, and spirits at off-site events and private gatherings.
Full catering license for spirits, beer, and wine. Limited caterer option available at $550.
MBC_MBR Mixed Beverage Caterer / Mixed Beverage Restaurant $3,040/yr
Combined license for establishments that both operate a restaurant and provide off-site catering with full bar service.
Fee tiers: 1-100 seats $3,040; 101-150 seats $3,485; 151-500 seats $3,970; 501-1,000 seats $4,490; over 1,000 seats $5,090.
BREWERY Brewery License $380/yr
Allows manufacturing of beer in Virginia with on-premise tasting and retail sales.
Fee tiers by production: up to 500 barrels $380; 501-10,000 barrels $2,350; over 10,000 barrels $4,690.
FARM_WINERY Farm Winery License $275/yr
Allows manufacturing of wine using Virginia-grown fruit. Includes tasting room, retail sales, and event hosting privileges.
Class I/II: $275; Class III: $500; Class IV: $4,000. Must use minimum 51% Virginia-grown fruit (75% for Class B).
WINERY Winery License $215/yr
Allows manufacturing of wine without Virginia fruit sourcing requirements. Includes tasting room and retail sales.
Fee tiers: up to 5,000 gallons $215; over 5,000 gallons $4,210. No Virginia fruit requirement.
DISTILLERY Distiller's License $490/yr
Allows manufacturing of distilled spirits in Virginia. Includes tasting room and limited retail sales.
Fee tiers: up to 5,000 gallons $490; 5,001-36,000 gallons $2,725; over 36,000 gallons $4,060.
BNB Bed and Breakfast License $100/yr
Allows bed and breakfast establishments to serve complimentary wine and beer to registered guests.
Lowest cost option. Complimentary service only — no sales.
Requirements
General Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Background check required for all applicants
- Non-refundable $65 application fee per license type
- Must comply with local zoning requirements
- Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training required
- Must post notice of application at premises for 30 days
- Financial disclosure and ownership documentation required
Notable Restrictions
- Virginia is a CONTROL STATE — distilled spirits are sold only through state-operated ABC stores or licensed mixed beverage establishments
- Beer and wine may be sold through private retail stores with appropriate licenses
- Mixed beverage restaurant fees are tiered by seating capacity
- Farm winery licenses require 51% (Class A/B) or 75% (Class C/D) Virginia-grown fruit
- No happy hour restrictions on food, but drink specials have limitations
- Local option: localities may restrict or prohibit alcohol sales by referendum
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a liquor license in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia ABC allows both person-to-person and location-to-location transfers. The transfer application fee is $65. Because Virginia is a license state (not a quota state), most licenses are freely available from the state — the secondary market isn't a major factor for typical restaurant or bar licenses.
Are there dry areas in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia has a local option law — individual cities and counties can vote to restrict or prohibit alcohol sales by referendum. Historically, some rural localities operated as dry jurisdictions, though most have since gone wet. Check with your local government before assuming alcohol sales are permitted in your specific municipality.
Can I sell alcohol on Sundays in Virginia?
Yes, with some nuance. Most Virginia restaurants and bars can serve alcohol on Sundays during normal licensed hours. However, Sunday off-premise sales (package stores, grocery stores) were historically restricted and local rules may still apply. Virginia ABC controls the hours, typically noon to midnight on Sundays for off-premise retail.
What's the cheapest type of liquor license in Virginia?
The Bed and Breakfast license at $100/year is the cheapest, but it only covers complimentary service to guests — no sales. For actual alcohol sales, the Retail Off-Premises Wine and Beer license costs $300/year ($365 first year with the $65 application fee). For on-premise service, the Retail On-and-Off Premises Wine and Beer license runs $450/year — the most affordable option for a restaurant that doesn't need spirits.
Why can't I buy spirits at a regular store in Virginia?
Virginia is a control state for distilled spirits — the state runs all retail spirits sales through state-operated ABC stores. You can only buy wine and beer from private retailers. If you want to serve spirits at your restaurant or bar, you need a Mixed Beverage Restaurant license and you must purchase your spirits inventory from a Virginia ABC store or through licensed wholesale channels.
What is the difference between a Virginia mixed beverage license and a beer and wine license?
Virginia's mixed beverage restaurant license (MBR) allows service of all alcoholic beverages including spirits by the drink at a licensed restaurant. The beer and wine license (BW) is significantly cheaper ($65-$200 annually) and covers only beer and wine. A BW license holder cannot serve cocktails, spirits, or mixed drinks at all. The annual MBR fee runs $195-$1,000 depending on the city/county. The MBR requires a commercial kitchen and meaningful food revenue during service hours. Many Virginia breweries and wineries hold BW licenses rather than MBR, which lets them serve their own products and commercially available beer and wine without the full food service obligations of an MBR.
How do Virginia ABC store prices affect restaurant alcohol costs?
Virginia's ABC stores set uniform statewide retail prices for spirits. There is no wholesale market for licensed restaurants to access spirits at a discount. Virginia restaurants purchase spirits at the same ABC retail price that consumers pay, plus a $50 annual ABC purchase permit. This is fundamentally different from open states where distributors offer case discounts and promotional deals. A Virginia restaurant's spirits cost per bottle is structurally identical to what a consumer pays at the same store. Beer and wine, however, are distributed through private distributors with normal wholesale pricing, so a Virginia restaurant's beer and wine margins are unaffected by the ABC control system.
What are Virginia's open container and cocktail-to-go rules?
Virginia has no statewide open container law for public spaces. Open container rules are set locally. Several Virginia municipalities allow open containers in designated entertainment districts: Roanoke's Warehouse District, Richmond's Shockoe Bottom, and parts of Norfolk's downtown have designated zones where patrons can carry containers within defined boundaries. Virginia's mixed beverage law requires that cocktails be consumed on the licensed premises. Serving a cocktail in a to-go cup from a licensed bar is a compliance violation in most circumstances. Virginia does not have a statewide cocktail-to-go law, unlike Ohio and some other states that formalized this during or after COVID.
Sources
Data sourced from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC). Last verified 2026-04-02.