How to get a Liquor License in Tennessee?

To obtain a liquor license in the state of Tennessee, you must apply through the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The TABC issues various types of alcoholic beverage-related licenses depending on the nature of your business or organization. The types of licenses offered include: Liquor-By-The-Drink, Retail Package Store, and Winery licensing. This process and its requirements may vary depending on the specific type of license you are applying for.

1. Identify the Type of License Needed

• Purpose: To determine the appropriate license for your business or organization.
• Instructions: Visit the TABC website to review the types of licenses offered. If the specific license you are interested in does not have a link or is under development, contact the TABC directly.

2. Apply for a Liquor-by-the-Drink (LBD) License

• Purpose: To sell and dispense alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic content of eight percent (8%) or greater by weight, such as liquor, wine, and high-gravity beer.
• Instructions: Your establishment must be eligible under Tennessee law. There are different types of Liquor-by-the-Drink Licenses, including Restaurant, Caterer, and Special Occasion licensing. You can find more information about a specific type of Liquor-by-the-Drink license by following the links provided on the TABC website.

3. Apply for a Liquor-by-the-Drink – Club License

• Purpose: To sell and dispense alcoholic beverages in a private club setting.
• Instructions: The private club must meet several requirements and follow certain restrictions. You can apply for this license at RLPS.

4. Apply for a Liquor-by-the-Drink – Caterer License

• Purpose: To sell liquor, wine, and high-gravity beer at various locations in a city or county which has authorized the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption.
• Instructions: You can apply for this license at RLPS. You must meet several requirements and follow certain restrictions.

5. Apply for a Festival License

• Purpose: To sell, give away, dispense, or consume alcoholic beverages or beer during a festival.
• Estimated Cost: $300.00 application fee and $1,000.00 per day license fee.
• Instructions: You can apply for a festival license by completing the application found here.

Useful Information Source Links:

• Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission
• Liquor-by-the-Drink Licenses
• Private Club License
• Caterer License
• Festival License

FAQs:

• What types of licenses does the TABC offer? The TABC offers various types of licenses including Liquor-By-The-Drink, Retail Package Store, and Winery licensing.
• What are the requirements for a Liquor-by-the-Drink – Club License? Your private club must have been in existence for two years as a non-profit organization prior to application, with at least 100 dues-paying members. The club must be organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, and other non-profit purposes. No part of the net earnings may benefit any shareholder or member. The club must own, hire, or lease a building or space for the reasonable use of its members, with suitable kitchen and dining room space and equipment, and sufficient employees for cooking, preparing, and serving meals for its members and guests.
• What are the requirements for a Liquor-by-the-Drink – Caterer License? As a caterer, you must operate a permanent catering hall on an exclusive basis, have a complete and adequate commercial kitchen facility, and be licensed as a caterer by the Tennessee Department of Health, unless the catering hall is licensed as a restaurant. You must not have been convicted of a crime which directly relates to the business of alcoholic beverage sales, as per the Fresh Start Act. You must not employ any person to serve beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages that does not possess a server permit from the commission.
• What are the requirements for a Festival License? The license applicant must be the for-profit business organizing the festival or a third-party with whom such for-profit business engages to conduct alcoholic beverage or beer sales during the festival. The premises on which alcoholic beverages or beer will be served must be sufficiently designated, enclosed, secured, and maintained. Adequate security for the festival must be provided. The staff selling, serving, or dispensing alcoholic beverages must be adequately trained and supervised in the service of these beverages and on the applicable laws regarding such service. All servers must have on their person either a valid TABC server permit card or proof of completion of a TABC-approved training course. The city or county in which the festival is to be held must approve the festival.

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