Washington Liquor License Cost
Fees, license types, and requirements from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB)
How much does a liquor license cost in Washington?
| Business Type | Scenario | Total Fee | Period | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Restaurant with full bar (50%+ dining) | $2,200 | per year | REST_SBW_50 |
| Restaurant | Restaurant with beer and wine only | $600 | per year | REST_BW |
| Bar / Nightclub | Nightclub with full bar | $2,500 | per year | NIGHTCLUB |
| Grocery Store | Large grocery store with spirits, beer, and wine | $2,000 | per year | GROCERY_SBW |
| Brewery / Brewpub | Craft microbrewery with tasting room | $150 | per year | MICROBREWERY |
| Winery | Small winery with tasting room | $150 | per year | DOMESTIC_WINERY |
| Distillery | Craft distillery with tasting room | $150 | per year | CRAFT_DISTILLERY |
Washington's Post-Privatization Licensing Landscape After the Historic 2011 Initiative
Washington's alcohol regulation is managed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), which oversees both alcohol and cannabis licensing and enforcement. Washington underwent a transformative change in 2012 when Initiative 1183 took effect, ending the state's monopoly on liquor sales and privatizing spirits distribution and retail. Prior to 2012, Washington was a full control state with state-run liquor stores. The LCB now licenses private spirits retailers and distributors alongside its traditional role licensing manufacturers and on-premise establishments. Washington has approximately 16,000 active alcohol licenses.
Regulatory environment
Post-privatization, Washington has a moderately permissive licensing environment with no population-based quotas. The transition from control state to open state has been largely smooth, though it significantly changed the retail landscape — former state liquor stores were replaced by approximately 1,600 private spirits retailers (mostly large grocery chains and big-box stores like Costco, which funded I-1183). The LCB continues to regulate all licensing. Washington maintains minimum pricing requirements for spirits and a 17% spirits liter tax plus 20.5% spirits sales tax, which keeps spirits prices high despite privatization.
License availability
All license types are available through standard application. Processing time is 45-90 days for most applications. Washington's license types include: spirits/beer/wine restaurant, beer/wine restaurant, spirits retail (off-premise), microbrewery, craft distillery, and winery. Washington's craft beverage sector is extensive: the state has over 500 craft breweries (2nd nationally behind California), over 1,000 wineries (2nd behind California, concentrated in the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla), and over 100 craft distilleries. The LCB processes a high volume of applications and maintains an online portal for most transactions.
What drives costs
Washington's licensing fees are moderate to high. A spirits/beer/wine restaurant license costs $2,000/year. A microbrewery license costs $200/year. A spirits retail (off-premise) license costs $330/year. However, Washington imposes a 17% spirits liter tax plus a 20.5% spirits sales tax on all spirits sales — the combined rate makes Washington one of the most heavily taxed states for spirits. Total first-year costs for a full-service restaurant run $2,500-$4,000. The high spirits taxes (a legacy of I-1183, which included tax provisions to offset lost state revenue) significantly affect on-premise operators' cost of goods, even though the license fees themselves are reasonable.
Application process
Applications are filed through the LCB's online portal, requiring a completed application, premises floor plan, corporate documents, and proof of local zoning approval from the city or county. All individuals with financial interest must undergo Washington State Patrol and FBI fingerprint background checks. The LCB publishes a 20-day public notice in the local newspaper and posts signage at the premises. A licensing investigator conducts a site inspection and evaluates compliance with local building, fire, and health codes before recommending approval to the LCB board.
Common pitfalls and denial reasons
Washington's WSLCB is among the most thorough in financial background review. It traces the source of all capital used to acquire the licensed premises and fund the business. Applications with undisclosed investors or loans structured to avoid disclosure are denied and referred for investigation. Proximity violations (500 feet from schools, 1,000 feet from other cannabis or alcohol outlets in some localities) are GIS-verified by WSLCB staff. Self-measurements that prove incorrect are treated as material misrepresentation rather than error. MAST permit violations create escalating consequences: a first violation results in a fine, a second triggers a license suspension, and a third can result in permanent revocation. Cannabis and alcohol are now regulated by the same board (WSLCB), which means a licensee with compliance violations in one category can face enhanced scrutiny in the other.
Local quirks worth knowing
Washington's 2011 spirits privatization is still reshaping the state's alcohol market. The 17% spirits retailer license fee and 10% distributor fee that replaced state store revenue are among the highest combined markup rates in any state that transitioned from control to private retail, reflected in Washington's consistently high spirits prices relative to Oregon and Idaho. Washington's combined WSLCB regulation of cannabis and alcohol under a single agency is unique nationally. King County (Seattle) has the highest concentration of beer and wine licenses in the state with over 3,200 active licenses, reflecting both population density and the Pacific Northwest's strong craft beverage culture. Washington craft breweries can self-distribute to retailers statewide without going through a distributor, a freedom that Oregon and California do not extend, providing a competitive advantage for Washington's in-state craft producers.
Need help getting started? Read our step-by-step licensing guide, or compare Washington fees with other states using our comparison tool.
Washington License Types
REST_SBW_50 Restaurant — Spirits/Beer/Wine (50%+ dining) $2,200/yr
Full bar at restaurants where 50% or more of total space is dedicated to dining. Allows on-premise service of spirits, beer, and wine.
Most common restaurant license. 50%+ of area must be dedicated dining space. Post-SB 5786 fee (increased from $1,600).
REST_SBW_LT50 Restaurant — Spirits/Beer/Wine (under 50% dining) $2,700/yr
Full bar at restaurants where less than 50% of total space is dedicated to dining. Higher fee tier.
For establishments with less dining-focused layouts. Post-SB 5786 fee (increased from $2,000).
REST_BW Restaurant — Beer/Wine $600/yr
Beer and wine only at restaurants for on-premise consumption with food service.
No spirits. $300 for beer only or wine only; $600 for both.
TAVERN_BW Tavern — Beer/Wine $600/yr
On-premise sale of beer and/or wine. No food service required. Patrons must be 21+.
$300 for beer only or wine only; $600 for both. No minors allowed.
NIGHTCLUB Nightclub — Spirits/Beer/Wine $2,500/yr
Full bar at nightclubs where primary revenue comes from alcohol sales and cover charges. Operating hours typically 9 PM to 2 AM.
Primary revenue from alcohol/cover charges. Post-SB 5786 fee.
HOTEL Hotel — Spirits/Beer/Wine $2,500/yr
Full alcohol service at hotels with 20+ rooms including room service, restaurant, retail, and complimentary in-room placement.
Requires minimum 20 guest rooms. Covers room service, minibar, restaurant, and retail.
CATERER Liquor Caterer — Spirits/Beer/Wine $1,500/yr
Allows full bar service at catered events. Must have capability for full meal preparation.
Must be able to prepare full meals. Post-SB 5786 fee.
GROCERY_SBW Grocery Store — Spirits/Beer/Wine $2,000/yr
Off-premise retail sale of spirits, beer, and wine at grocery stores with 10,000+ sq ft.
Requires minimum 10,000 sq ft. Post-SB 5786 fee (increased from $150 for beer/wine grocery to $550, spirits combo at $2,000).
SPIRITS_RETAILER Spirits Retailer $550/yr
Off-premise retail sale of spirits only. Requires minimum 10,000 sq ft retail space.
Spirits only — separate from beer/wine. Requires 10,000+ sq ft. Post-SB 5786 fee (increased from $166).
MICROBREWERY Microbrewery $150/yr
Manufacture of beer in Washington with production under 60,000 barrels per year. Includes tasting room and retail sales.
Under 60,000 barrels/year. Includes tasting room. Very affordable entry point for craft breweries.
DOMESTIC_WINERY Domestic Winery $150/yr
Manufacture of wine in Washington. Includes tasting room, retail sales, and wholesale distribution.
Under 250,000 liters/year: $150. Over 250,000 liters: $600.
CRAFT_DISTILLERY Craft Distillery $150/yr
Manufacture of spirits in Washington with production of 150,000 gallons or less per year. Includes tasting room and retail sales.
Under 150,000 gallons/year. Includes tasting room and direct sales. Full distiller license: $2,100.
Requirements
General Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Background check required for all applicants
- Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit for all servers
- Must comply with local zoning and building codes
- Federal TTB basic permit required for manufacturers
- Application fee required in addition to license fees
- Premises must pass LCB inspection
Notable Restrictions
- Washington PRIVATIZED spirits sales in 2012 (Initiative 1183) — spirits can now be sold by private retailers with 10,000+ sq ft stores
- Formerly a control state — state-run liquor stores closed in 2012
- Spirits retailers must pay a 17% spirits license fee and a $3.77/liter spirits liter tax
- SB 5786 (effective July 27, 2025) increased most license fees by approximately 50%
- Strong beer/wine/spirits separation in license types
- Mandatory MAST permit for anyone selling or serving alcohol
- No spirits sampling at grocery stores
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a liquor license in Washington?
Yes. Washington LCB allows license transfers, including change of ownership and change of location. Fees and processing times vary by license type. Note that since SB 5786 took effect in July 2025, annual license fees increased approximately 50% — factor in the new fee schedule when budgeting for a transfer.
Are there dry counties or dry areas in Washington?
No dry counties in Washington. All 39 counties permit alcohol sales. Individual cities may have local restrictions on hours or specific activities, but there are no county-wide prohibitions on alcohol sales.
Can I sell alcohol on Sundays in Washington?
Yes. Washington has no Sunday sales restrictions for on-premise or off-premise establishments. Licensed businesses can sell alcohol any day of the week during their permitted hours. Washington privatized spirits retail in 2012, and Sunday spirits sales at grocery stores and retailers have been allowed since then.
What's the cheapest type of liquor license in Washington?
For producers, the Microbrewery, Domestic Winery, and Craft Distillery licenses are all just $150/year — the lowest in the state. For on-premise service, a Restaurant Beer/Wine license runs $600/year (or $300 for beer only or wine only). The full spirits Restaurant license (50%+ dining) costs $2,200/year after the 2025 fee increase from SB 5786.
Do servers need a special permit in Washington?
Yes. Washington requires all employees who sell or serve alcohol to hold a MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) permit. This applies to servers, bartenders, and anyone handling alcohol transactions. MAST permits are obtained through LCB-approved training programs and must be renewed periodically. This is a compliance requirement you need to build into your staffing process.
What changed after Washington's 2011 liquor privatization and how does it affect licensing today?
Washington State passed Initiative 1183 in November 2011, closing all 329 state-operated liquor stores and transferring spirits retail to private licensees effective June 1, 2012. After privatization, the Washington State Liquor Control Board became a pure regulator. Spirits retailer licenses became available to grocery stores and large-format retailers (minimum 10,000 sq ft). Washington's spirits prices rose 10-15% in the years following privatization due to the 17% spirits retailer license fee and 10% spirits distributor license fee imposed on the private market to fund programs previously cross-subsidized by state store profits. These fees are permanently embedded in Washington's pricing structure.
What is Washington's spirits retailer license fee and why is it so high?
Washington charges spirits retailers a 17% license fee on their wholesale spirits purchases, separate from state excise tax. For a restaurant buying $10,000/month in spirits from distributors, the 17% fee adds $1,700/month ($20,400/year) to the spirits cost structure before any pour cost is calculated. This is why Washington cocktail prices are among the highest in the Pacific Northwest. Beer and wine are not subject to this fee. Large-volume buyers absorb this cost across higher ticket prices. Small bars and cocktail-focused establishments in Washington operate with structurally thinner spirits margins than comparable businesses in Oregon or Idaho where this fee does not exist.
Do Washington State servers need a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit?
Yes. Washington requires all alcohol servers and sellers to hold a valid MAST permit. There is no exemption for experienced servers or managers. The initial MAST permit costs $35 and requires a state-approved 3-hour course. The permit is valid for 5 years and renewable for $35. Employers must verify MAST permit status before allowing any employee to sell or serve alcohol. Serving without a valid MAST permit is a violation that falls on both the employee and the employer. Washington's LCB enforces this via compliance checks. The permit must be carried during all shifts or available for LCB inspection, and a digital copy on a phone is accepted by the LCB.
Sources
Data sourced from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). Last verified 2026-04-02.