Getting a Mixed Beverage Permit is a multi-step process with TABC background checks, entity requirements, location approvals, and surety bonds. We manage every step so you can focus on building your bar.
- Mixed Beverage, Late Hours & all required permits
- Complete TABC application preparation & submission
- Entity formation, bonds & compliance included
- Ongoing support through approval & beyond
Texas Bar Liquor License Quick Facts: A Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) costs $5,300 for a 2-year term. Most bars also need a Late Hours Certificate ($1,100) and Food & Beverage Certificate ($1,100). Total first-year permit fees: $5,300-$7,500. Timeline: 2-3 months from application to approval. Ranger Licensing handles every step – permits, entity formation, bonds, TABC coordination, and post-approval compliance – for bars across all 254 Texas counties.
Attorney-Operated | Mixed Beverage Specialists | All 254 Texas Counties | Application to Approval
To open a bar in Texas, you need at minimum a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which costs $5,300 for a two-year term. Most bars also need a Late Hours Certificate ($1,100) and a Food and Beverage Certificate ($1,100). The full licensing process takes 2 to 3 months and includes entity formation, background checks, location approval, surety bonds, and a 60-day public notice period. Ranger Licensing handles every step from our Houston office for bars across all 254 Texas counties.
Based in Houston and serving all of Texas, Ranger Licensing is an attorney-operated TABC licensing agency that specializes in bar and nightclub permits. From Mixed Beverage Permits to Late Hours Certificates, entity formation to surety bonds, we handle the entire process so you can focus on building your business. For a complete overview of the licensing process, see our guide on how to get a liquor license in Texas.
What type of liquor license does a bar need in Texas?
From hours of operation to staffing needs and design, you have a lot of factors to consider when running a bar. One of the first and more important considerations you will undertake is determining which type of alcoholic beverage license you need. Some considerations for this include: whether you want to sell beer for consumption strictly on the premises, whether you intend to sell liquor in addition to beer and wine, or whether you will be brewing your own beer on-site. Below is a quick explanation of the types of licenses that may be applicable to your business. Keep in mind that there may be additional regulations for each type.
- Mixed Beverage Permit (MB): Allows the sale of mixed drinks for consumption on the premises.
- Beer Retailer’s On-Premise License (BE): Permits the sale of beer for on-premise consumption.
- Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit (BG): Allows for the sale of beer and wine for on-premise consumption.
- Brewpub License (BP): Allows a bar to brew their own beer on the premises and sell it on-site and, in some cases, to other TABC permitted bars and restaurants.
- Private Club Registration Permit (N): Necessary for private clubs that are located in dry counties who plan to serve alcohol to members.
- Late Hours Permit (LH): Allows bars to sell alcohol beyond standard legal hours.
- Temporary Event Approvals: For TABC-retailers that offer catering services and want to serve alcohol off-site at events.
- Food and Beverage Certificate (FB): Required for bars that serve food and want to qualify for certain types of liquor licenses.
Depending on the type of license you hold, the way your bar is operated will likely be impacted. For example, if your bar serves food, you may want to obtain a Food and Beverage Certificate, while a bar that doesn’t serve food but does feature a weekly music show may need to obtain a local dance hall permit. If you’re unsure what type of permit or license is right for you, Ranger can help you decide what is best for your bar.
Not sure whether you need a Mixed Beverage Permit or a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit? See our detailed comparison of Mixed Beverage vs. Wine and Malt Beverage Permits to determine which is right for your bar concept.
Why is getting a bar liquor license complicated?
While you may think that obtaining a liquor license is as simple as filling out a form, it can be a much more complex process. In addition to ensuring that you are applying for the correct type of permit, there are also additional regulations that need to be understood.
These include understanding local laws and following all TABC guidelines and regulations. Breaking these regulations, even when done accidentally because you don’t understand the process, can result in a revocation of your license, fines, or even jail time.
Common complications include local distance restrictions – many Texas cities and counties prohibit alcohol sales within 300 feet of churches, schools, and hospitals under Section 109.33 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, though these rules vary by jurisdiction – wet/dry status verification for your specific address, the 60-day public notice posting requirement, and coordinating between TABC, the Texas Secretary of State, and local city permitting.
How does Ranger Licensing help you get your bar license?
Ranger Licensing has years of experience working within the structures and guidelines of the TABC. We offer services such as application preparation to ensure that your application is complete and accurate, compliance checks to ensure that you are operating within TABC standards, and help navigating any additional local regulations that may affect the operation of your bar.
Our bar licensing services include business entity formation with the Texas Secretary of State, surety bond coordination, complete TABC application preparation, and ongoing compliance consulting. If you’re purchasing an existing bar, we also handle purchase and sale of entities that hold TABC permits.
What are the TABC compliance requirements after getting your bar license?
Once you’ve obtained your license, you will need to comply with any restrictions and regulations that come with it. These may include things like posting the correct TABC signs. following local drinking restrictions such as those for anyone underage, and renewing your license as needed.
Ranger Licensing is happy to help you with compliance checks, answering questions you may have about restrictions, and working with you to ensure that your renewals are always done on-time and in accordance with TABC guidelines.
Important for 2026: All businesses with a primary TABC license originally issued in 2024 or before must complete a compliance self-inspection report through AIMS by June 30, 2026. Additionally, all employees who sell or serve alcohol must have current TABC seller-server certification. Learn more about TABC rules for serving alcohol.
Do different types of bars need different TABC permits?
Every bar is different, whether you’re a rowdy sports bar or everyone’s favorite local tavern. At Ranger Licensing, we can help you determine which license is right for you and how to ensure that your bar concept complies with all Texas laws. Examples of different bar concepts we’ve helped include: Sports Bars, Cocktail Lounges, Music Venues/Bars, Pub/Tavern, Wine Bars, Brewpubs, Nightclubs/Dance Bars, Themed Bars, Dive Bars, Rooftop Bars, Karaoke Bars, Hotel Bars, Speakeasies, Beer Gardens, Cigar Bars.
If you plan to sell alcohol on your business premises, then we can help. We curtail our legal advice to fit your business’s needs, and understand that a nightclub may need the ability to bring in live music while a themed bar may also need to be able to offer catering services.
One important distinction: Texas law classifies any establishment where 51% or more of gross receipts come from alcohol sales as a ‘51% establishment.’ These businesses must display a red ‘51%’ warning sign and are subject to different rules regarding concealed handgun carry. Understanding whether your bar falls into this category affects your insurance requirements and operational policies.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
EVERYTHING YOUR BAR NEEDS TO GET LICENSED
You don’t need to figure out TABC paperwork on your own. Here’s exactly what Ranger handles for you.
Permit Strategy
We assess your bar concept, location, and hours to determine exactly which TABC permits you need – Mixed Beverage, Late Hours, Food & Beverage, or a combination.
Application Preparation
We prepare your complete TABC application – all required forms, ownership disclosures, location details, and supporting documents – ready for submission.
Entity Formation
If you don’t have a business entity yet, we form your LLC or corporation with the Texas Secretary of State and draft governing documents TABC requires.
Surety Bond
TABC requires a surety bond before your permit is issued. We connect you with bond providers and handle the paperwork so this doesn’t hold up your timeline.
TABC Coordination
We manage all communication with TABC during the review process – responding to questions, providing additional documentation, and tracking your application status.
Post-Approval Support
After approval, we help with TABC compliance signage, operational requirements, and remain available for renewals, transfers, and future licensing needs.
PERMITS
Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) – $5,300
Your primary bar permit. Allows the sale of all alcoholic beverages – liquor, beer, and wine – for on-premise consumption. Required for any bar or nightclub.
Required
Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) – $1,100
Required if food service is part of your operation. Many municipalities require this even when food is secondary to alcohol service.
If Serving Food
Late Hours Certificate – $1,100
Extends your TABC hours of sale until 2:00 AM. Without this, your bar must stop serving at midnight. Required for virtually every bar and nightclub.
Required for most bars
Surety Bond Premium – $200/year
A conduct surety bond is required for retailers who do not hold a Food and Beverage Certificate (per TABC Sections 11.11 and 61.13). Since most bars apply for the F&B Certificate alongside their Mixed Beverage Permit, you may be exempt from this bond. The bond amount is $5,000 (or $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school). We help you determine which bonds apply and handle all the paperwork.
Required
Comptroller Bonds – $600/year
A separate bond required by the Texas Comptroller for all Mixed Beverage Permit holders. Guarantees payment of mixed beverage gross receipts and sales taxes.
Required for MB holders
Publication Notice – $200-$500
TABC requires a public notice in a local newspaper of general circulation. Cost varies by publication and market. One-time fee per application.
Required
Estimated first-year permit costs: $8,500-$8,800. TABC permit fees are for a 2-year cycle. Bond premiums are annual. Actual costs may vary by location. See our complete TABC cost breakdown for full details.
Ready to Get Your Bar Licensed?
We’ve handled TABC licensing for bars across every corner of Texas. Let us handle yours.
Contact Ranger Licensing, fill out the form or call (713) 881-9009
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a liquor license for a bar in Texas?
TABC state fees for a typical bar start at $5,300 for the Mixed Beverage Permit alone. Add a Late Hours Certificate ($1,100) and Food & Beverage Certificate ($1,100), and state fees alone are $7,500. Factor in surety bond premiums, a Comptroller MB bond, and publication notice costs, and a typical bar’s first-year total runs $8,500-$8,800. See our complete cost breakdown.
How long does it take to get a bar liquor license in Texas?
Typically 2 to 3 months from application to approval. TABC states 30 to 35 days to process a complete application, but the 60-day public notice posting requirement runs concurrently and is usually the longest step. Delays from incomplete applications, protests, or background check issues can extend the timeline. Working with a licensing agency helps avoid common mistakes that slow things down.
How do I know if my area is wet or dry?
Texas has a patchwork of wet, dry, and partially dry jurisdictions that determine what types of alcohol can be sold in your area. Wet areas allow full liquor sales, dry areas prohibit all alcohol sales, and partially dry areas fall somewhere in between. Your wet/dry status depends on your specific county, city, or even precinct. TABC maintains a wet/dry map you can check by address. Ranger Licensing verifies your location’s status as part of every application.
Do I need a city permit in addition to my TABC license?
It depends on your city. Some Texas cities – including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin – require a separate local alcoholic beverage permit. Requirements and fees vary by municipality. Ranger Licensing handles the local filing alongside your state application so nothing gets missed.
Are there distance restrictions for bars in Texas?
Under Section 109.33 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, cities and counties may prohibit alcohol sales within 300 feet of a church, school, or public hospital. School districts can also request the distance be increased to 1,000 feet.
Can you sell alcohol without a liquor license in Texas?
No. Selling alcohol without a valid TABC permit is a criminal offense under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in county jail. Repeat violations can be elevated to a state jail felony. Even temporary events like festivals and charity fundraisers require proper permitting before any alcohol is served.
What is the 51% rule for bars in Texas?
Texas law requires any establishment where 51% or more of gross receipts come from on-premise alcohol sales to display a red ‘51%’ warning sign. This classification affects concealed handgun laws (license holders cannot carry in 51% establishments), insurance requirements, and liability exposure. Most bars and nightclubs fall into this category, while restaurants with bar service typically do not.
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Content reviewed by
Texas-licensed attorney (State Bar #24107235) focused on TABC licensing. She handles applications at Ranger Licensing across all three tiers of the industry and is a partner at Monshaugen & Van Huff, P.C., one of Texas’s leading TABC law firms. J.D., University of Houston Law Center. Last reviewed: April 2026
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