So far in 2025, the revenue earned from alcohol sales in Georgia is $1.8 billion [1]Statista. “Alcoholic Drinks – Georgia.” Accessed April 24th, 2025. . Alcohol sales can offer one of the steadiest, most profitable revenue streams for your business. In order to sell alcohol legally, though, you must obtain a liquor license. This process can frustrate even the most detail-oriented business owners, especially since the laws governing alcohol sales vary by state.
If you want to sell alcohol in Georgia, you’ll need to master a complex bureaucratic process. Additionally, owning a booze-selling enterprise means that you must choose the right payment processor, since most alcohol-distributing businesses are considered high-risk.
Georgia’s Department of Revenue governs the distribution of liquor licenses in the Peach State, though one catch that makes acquiring an alcohol license more complicated is the requirement to obtain permission from a county or other local authority in addition to obtaining a state license. Here’s everything you need to know so you can start the process today.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key Takeaways
- Types of Georgia Liquor Licenses
- Liquor License Requirements for Georgia
- Understanding Liquor Laws in Georgia
- How Much Does a Liquor License Cost in Georgia?
- How to Apply for a Liquor License in Georgia
- After you’ve registered your business:
- How to Renew Your Georgia Liquor License
- Getting a Beer and Wine License in Georgia: Closing Thoughts
- FAQs
Key Takeaways
- There are several types of Georgia liquor licenses, including retailers, special event, brewpub, manufacturers/ brokers, and wholesale/distributors
- State license requirements usually include a background check, fingerprinting, and tax clearances
- Local, county, city, or other jurisdiction regulations affect the requirements for getting a liquor license
Types of Georgia Liquor Licenses
Georgia’s alcohol regulations are a bit complicated, and the state offers several types of liquor licenses. These fall into a few different groups, depending on what kind of business you operate, as follows:
- Retailers
- Special Event
- Brewpub
- Manufacturers/Broker
- Wholesalers/Distributors
These broad designations contain several sub-categories that will help you determine what kind of license you need. They are:
Retailers
- Hotel In-Room
- Consumption on Premises
- Retail Dealer
- Retail Package
Special Event
- Special Event Profit
- Special Event Non-Profit
- Special Event Use
- Special Event Wine Auction
Brewpub
Under Georgia law, brewpubs fall into a special category requiring their own license. You can read more about the requirements here, but essentially, this license works for any establishment where beer or malt beverages are brewed and sold, and where food is also sold. Food and non-alcoholic beverage sales must account for at least 50% of a brewpub’s annual revenue.
Manufacturers/Broker
- Broker
- Brewery
- Distillery
- Farm Winery
- Importer
- Winery
- Wine Special Order Shipping
- Non-Beverage Manufacturer/Importer
- Non-Profit Museum Distillery
Wholesaler/Retailer
A wholesaler or retailer is a business that sells alcohol to other businesses – in other words, you don’t sell to consumers for drinking on premises. Check out the official guidelines to review the specific requirements for obtaining a wholesaler or distributor license.
What type of liquor license do I need?
Most business owners who want to sell alcohol will need some kind of retail license. If you’re a brewer, you might want to opt for a brewpub license. One thing to consider before anything else is whether you want customers drinking at your business. If that’s the case, you’ll need a consumption on-premises license.
Ultimately, the type of license you’ll need will depend on your business model and method of selling alcohol. The best way to ensure you’re applying for the right license is to familiarize yourself with each type and its specific application requirements. You can find more information on the Georgia Department of Revenue website.
Liquor License Requirements for Georgia
The requirements for obtaining a Georgia liquor license change depending on your locality. Since Georgia requires both a local and a state license, you’ll need to jump through different hoops in Atlanta compared to, say, Rome.
From a state perspective, however, the requirements generally involve a background check, fingerprinting, and tax clearances. You also need to fill out the application documents and pay the fees associated with the kind of license you want.
Georgia has moved to streamline the retail liquor license process by creating a centralized system that allows business owners to apply for a state license while simultaneously applying for a local license. [2]Department of Revenue. “Centralized Alcohol Licensing – Retail Licensees.” Accessed April 25th, 2025. . This simplifies the background check process, but doesn’t change the fact that you need two separate licenses.
Other necessary permits
At the state level, you don’t need to fulfill any additional permits to get a liquor license. Just remember to follow local guidelines, and you’ll be in good shape. However, you’ll have to check with your local licensing authority to ensure you’re meeting all municipal requirements and local guidelines.
You need a thorough understanding of these regulations before you can even consider applying for a state license. Failing to secure the proper local permits can delay your application or put your license approval at risk, so it’s worth taking the time to get everything right from the start.
Understanding Liquor Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, local, county, city, and other jurisdiction regulations play a large role in what you’ll need in order to obtain a license to sell alcohol. What’s required in one city or county might differ significantly in another.
From a state government perspective, you’ll need to complete a background check and ensure your tax documents are in order. However, most of the approval process happens at the local level. Factors like zoning restrictions and permit approvals can often make or break an application.
How Much Does a Liquor License Cost in Georgia?
As with most things in Georgia, the cost of a liquor license depends on where you intend to operate. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $5,000 in order to sell alcohol legally. In Atlanta, the state’s capital and largest city, a license itself costs $5,000 for the year. [3]Atlanta Police Department. “Alcohol Licenses” Accessed April 25th, 2025. That doesn’t include application fees, fingerprint fees, or any add-ons you might want for your license. Remember, that’s just for Atlanta. Each city or county has its own set of rules, regulations, and fees.
The cost doesn’t just depend on your locality, but also on what kind of alcohol you intend to sell. For example, an establishment that only plans to sell beer typically can pay fewer fees than one that sells beer, wine, and liquor. Remember to check local guidelines and fee schedules to determine the exact amount you need to pay.
How to Apply for a Liquor License in Georgia
Georgia’s new centralized alcohol licensing portal makes applying for a liquor license simpler than it used to be. You can review the steps required to apply for a license in-depth on the DOR website’s guide. Here is a quick overview of the application process:
After you’ve registered your business:
- Select a verified address, if available, by clicking the “Select this address” hyperlink. If a verified address isn’t listed, choose the address you entered
- Confirm if your mailing address is the same as your business location address
- Check the boxes for Alcohol License and Sales & Use Tax (Sales and Use Tax accounts are required to apply for special event licenses)
- Answer the questions about the Sales & Use Tax account
- Complete the Alcohol License screen
- The Local Alcohol License screen shows license types and fees issued by the
local jurisdiction chosen in the previous step. Review and make selections - If you are registering a retail package license and selected Liquor as a sales type, you will need to add the bond information for the alcohol license account. Otherwise, skip to “Complete the Alcohol – Licensee screen”
- Complete the Alcohol – Licensee screen
- State alcohol licensing fees are due at the time of registration
- Complete the Additional Business Information section. Enter your NAICS code(s). If you do not know your NAICS code, select “Enter” or the “Primary NAICS Code” hyperlink to search
- The alcohol licensee will display as the officer/responsible party. Click the link
under the Owner Name column to update - Review the list of required documentation for your local jurisdiction
- Review the consent statement regarding Form ATT-17 on the Attachments screen
- Click “Add Attachment” upload documentation with your registration. You will not be able to continue if you do not add all the necessary documents.
How to Renew Your Georgia Liquor License
The good news is that renewing your liquor license is fairly simple. Alcohol licenses expire annually; the renewal period begins the first business day of September and runs through December 31 each year. You can complete the process through the Georgia Tax Center’s online portal, and it only requires answering a few questions, inputting your business info, and paying relevant fees. Different business models will have their own requirements, so make sure you apply under your license’s specific type.
Remember, this only applies to state-level renewals. Be sure to check with local authorities to comply with any renewal regulations they have.
Getting a Beer and Wine License in Georgia: Closing Thoughts
Business owners hoping to obtain a liquor license in Georgia should, above all else, become familiar with alcohol regulations in their locality. Hopefully, this guide helps you through the process.
After you get your liquor license, you’ll need to get set up with a bar and restaurant credit card processor to accept payments. It’s vital you find a payment solutions provider that offers secure processing, the latest POS systems, integration capabilities, and competitive pricing so you can run your business as efficiently as possible. Contact us today to see what we can offer you!
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FAQs
Perhaps you still have questions about getting a Georgia liquor license. After all, there’s always more to learn! Read on for more information about getting your booze-selling business up and running.
How long does it take to get a liquor license in Georgia?
Since liquor licenses in Georgia require local approval, the time it takes to acquire one depends on the speed with which your locality works. Only once you’ve received local approval can you get state approval. That’s why it’s best to account for at least 120 days to get a new liquor license.
Do you need a liquor license to sell beer or wine in Georgia?
Yes, you need a license to sell any kind of alcohol in Georgia. That said, if you only plan to sell beer or just beer and wine, you likely will pay less money to obtain your license.
Is it hard to get a liquor license in Georgia?
It’s not especially difficult to get a Georgia liquor license from the state, but you do have to jump through a few hoops. You must pass a background check, for example. You should also have your tax documents in order.
That said, certain localities may not make the process all that easy. Some make it impossible: Several Georgia counties are completely dry, forbidding retail alcohol sales of all kinds. These counties are Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union. [4] Tips. “Georgia Alcohol Sales: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol?” Accessed April 25th, 2025. All of which means it’s essential to stay on top of your local regulations regarding booze sales.
How long does a Georgia liquor license last?
Georgia liquor licenses are good for one year, with one caveat. You guessed it: It depends on the locality. To reiterate a point made time and time again, you must acquaint yourself with your city or county rules to know the exact length of the alcohol licenses they issue.
How do I get a temporary or one-day liquor license in Georgia?
Getting a temporary liquor license in Georgia is fairly straightforward. That might surprise you, given the role local regulations play for regular alcohol licenses. For temporary licenses, however, you simply need to provide proof of citizenship and pay a fee. There are slightly different requirements if you want to apply on behalf of a non-profit. [5]Department of Revenue “Special Event For Profit” Accessed April 25th, 2025. In general, though, as long as you apply at least 10 days before your event, you should be good to go for most retail alcohol sales at special events.
