Helping bars, restaurants, brewpubs, and liquor stores attain or renew their TABC alcohol licenses and permits in Texas.

A liquor license is a permit from the government that allows someone to sell alcoholic beverages. In Texas, a business must obtain a liquor license through the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) anytime they are handling, selling, or serving alcohol. Additionally, the business operation and employees must both be within TABC compliance. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code determines liquor licensing in the Lone Star State.

Once you know you are in a wet area, you will need to select the type of license and/or permit necessary to sell, serve or distribute the type of alcohol you are promoting.  The common types of licenses and/or permits include the following:

• FOOD AND BEVERAGE CERTIFICATE (FB): A Food and Beverage Certificate may be issued to the holder of a Beer Retailer's On-Premise Permit or Wine and Beer Retailer's Permit if food service is the primary business being operated on the licensed premises, etc;
• WINE AND BEER RETAILER'S PERMIT (BG): Authorizes sell for consumption on or off the premises where sold but not for resale, beer, ale, malt liquor and wine not more than 14 percent or 17 percent, etc;
• RETAIL DEALER'S OFF PREMISE LICENSE (RF): Holder may sell beer in a lawful container direct to the consumer but not for resale and not to be opened or consumed on or near the premises;
• WINERY PERMIT (G): Authorizes the manufacture, bottle, label and package wine containing not more than 24 percent alcohol by volume, etc; and
• BREWPUB LICENSE (BP): Authorizes the manufacture, brew, bottle, can, package and label malt liquor, ale, and beer; sell or offer without charge, on the premises of the brewpub, to ultimate consumers for consumption on or off those premises, malt liquor, ale or beer produced by the holder in or from a lawful container, etc.

More types of permits and/or licenses can be found on our TABC Licensing web page.

Generally speaking, and subject to the site location selected being capable of selling or distributing alcohol, a business owner is eligible to obtain a Texas liquor license if the following conditions are met:

• The owner has no felony convictions within the past five years;
• No violations of state liquor laws within the past two years; and
• No moral turpitude violations of liquor laws within the past six months.
  

According to the TABC it can take 45 to 60 days to obtain a liquor license after paperwork is submitted, but it is not unheard of for approval to take up to six months to a year.  Once received, a license or permit is good for 2 years and expires on the second anniversary of the date it is issued.

Full liquor licenses can range from $12,000 to $400,000, while beer and wine liquor licenses can cost as low as $3,000.  Most often owners of bars and restaurants in your local area are more than willing to share their knowledge of costs and expenses to acquire the license.   Most are very friendly and willing to talk about their experience with the TABC.

TABC officers routinely visit establishments throughout the year and can find any number of violations resulting in fines. Multiple violations can ultimately lead to an alcohol license being revoked. Most common violations include:

• Minor Related Offenses (employing, selling to, or serving alcohol to a minor);
• Sale or service of an alcoholic beverage to an intoxicated person;
• Selling during unauthorized times; and
• License, permit holder, or any employee being intoxicated. 

Our attorneys assists current and new bars, restaurants, brewpubs, and liquor stores attain or renew their TABC license and permit. We help you navigate through the complex, research-intensive process confirming all required certifications from the city, county, Texas Secretary of State, and the Texas Comptroller of Public accounts are accurate to ensure no delays or denial of your license.  For more information on the Texas Alcohol Licensing Process, see our web pages.