How to Get a Liquor License in Louisiana

There are many reasons you may want to get a liquor license in Louisiana—and if you plan on selling or serving alcohol to your customers, it's an absolute must!  But don’t worry! We’re here to walk you through the process of how to get a liquor license in Louisiana, including how much it will cost you.

Get your business license first

Before you can get liquor licenses, you first need to get your business license. 

In Louisiana, this will entail:

• Choosing your business structure

• Reserving a business name

• Obtaining a federal tax ID number (EIN)

• Registering the business with the state of Louisiana, and

• Obtaining a Louisiana tax account

You'll also need to pay the appropriate application fees for the business license.  Once each of these steps has been taken care of, you can begin the process of obtaining your liquor license.

The first thing you'll need to do is apply for a Notice of Intent (NOI) poster.

Submit NOI poster application

Prior to applying for a liquor license, depending on the type of business you plan to open, you may need to apply for a Notice of Intent (NOI) poster, which will cost $50.

Once you receive the poster, which serves as a public notification of your intention to serve alcohol, you'll need to display it outside the premises where it's easily visible for at least 15 days.

This alerts the community to your plans, and allows for objections or complaints to be filed before a liquor license is issued. However, be aware that you won't be allowed to apply for the NOI poster if your business is still under construction.

Once you've applied for the NOI poster, you can apply for your liquor license.

Liquor license types in Louisiana

In Louisiana, there’s a bunch of different Louisiana liquor licenses you might need. If you’re trying to figure out which one’s right for your restaurant, check out this guide. It’ll help you pick the best license for your place and let you know about any fees you’ll need to pay.

Louisiana liquor license application form

Now let's get onto the nuts and bolts and learn all about the liquor license application process.

First, you'll need to fill out the appropriate application for a Louisiana liquor license.  This will be determined by the type of business you plan to open, whether that's a bar, a restaurant that also serves alcohol, a liquor store, etc.

You can do this online through the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC).

You may be required to submit fingerprints with your application if you've never submitted fingerprints before, or if it's been more than five years since you were last fingerprinted.

Depending on the schedule you're required to complete, you may also need to submit a color copy of your driver's license or other photo ID, and proof of publication in a local newspaper of your intention to apply for a liquor license.

You may also be asked about some or all of the following on the application, including whether you’re applying as an individual or for a corporate liquor license:

• Your criminal history

• A spouse's criminal history

• Whether you're also applying for a video poker license

• Whether you own or have an interest in any other business that already has a liquor license in the state

• Your citizenship status

• How long you've resided in Louisiana

There are also additional application questions which are specific to the type of business you plan to open and/or the type of alcohol you intend to sell or serve, including considerations about personal liability for business owners.

Once you submit your completed application (which can be done online), the application processing time typically takes between 30 to 120 days, but delays can extend it to 175 days or more, so you’ll want to get your application in sooner rather than later to ensure you have it in time.

TIP: If you're looking for a broader guide on opening a liquor store in the US, check out our How to Open a Liquor Store page for more detailed information.

Cost of a Louisiana liquor license

In Louisiana, getting a liquor license will set you back between $2500 and $5000. You can check out the detailed fees for different types of licenses here.

The process to get a liquor license can range from 40 days to six months. To find out about the different Louisiana licenses available and how to apply, you’ll need to dig into the specifics.

Selling alcohol can be a major revenue boost for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and even cafes, but it’s crucial to stay compliant with alcohol consumption laws to avoid fines or license suspension. Since many alcoholic drinks last a long time on the shelf, investing in a full bar and a good beer and wine selection is a solid way to increase profits—but don’t forget about liability insurance to protect your business. Customers are often willing to spend more if they can add a drink to their meal.

However, because alcohol is heavily regulated and can lead to serious issues if not managed properly, you need to get a license from the state’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and ensure compliance with alcoholic beverage laws before you can start serving. It’s a bit of a complicated and pricey process, but many businesses see it as a necessary step for boosting their bottom line.

Once you get your license, make sure your staff has completed compliance training, like ServSafe certification ServSafe certified, and knows how to handle customers who’ve had too much to drink.

Obtain bar card for employees

In Louisiana, anyone who serves alcoholic beverages to a customer must complete the Louisiana Responsible Vendor training program within 45 days of being hired to get a responsible vendor permit.

If your employees fail to complete this course within the required timeframe, they will not be allowed to serve alcohol in your establishment.

The course may be taken online or in person. The certification, also known as a “bar card,” is issued by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.  A bar card is valid for four years before it must be renewed, and must be on the employee at all times. 

You're almost ready to sell and/or serve alcohol in the state of Louisiana, but there's one more crucial step—making sure you've obtained any required local licenses/permits.

Obtain local licenses/permits 

All businesses that intend to work with alcohol in Louisiana need a state liquor license.  However, business owners often get themselves in trouble by not realizing that many cities and parishes require an additional license or permit to sell or serve alcoholic beverages.

Baton Rouge, for example, has its own Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) which regulates businesses selling alcoholic beverages within the city and the parish of East Baton Rouge.  A liquor license for Baton Rouge will cost $50 and is required for the following employee types:

• Servers

• Bartenders

• Doormen

• Wait staff

• Dancers/Models

You'll need to ensure that you've obtained all required permits for each city and parish in which your business will operate, even if you've already gotten your state liquor license.

Once you've obtained all required licenses at the state and local levels, don't forget one last very important piece of your business—a trustworthy liquor store POS system.

Additional considerations 

Here's some more important details we think are important to know:

General zoning requirements and location restrictions

Before you get too excited about serving drinks, check out any zoning rules or business location requirements that might apply to your spot. Different areas have different regulations, and local ordinances may impact whether your spot is in an area where you’re allowed to serve alcohol. For instance, some areas might have restrictions on how close your business can be to schools, churches, or other sensitive locations.

You’ll want to confirm that your location complies with any regulations to avoid headaches down the road. Sometimes, you might need to get special permission or make adjustments to your plans to fit these rules.

Inspections required before or after obtaining the license

Be prepared for health and safety inspections as part of the licensing process. This can include health inspections, fire safety checks, or even building inspections, depending on your location and the specifics of your business. These inspections might happen before you get your license to ensure everything is up to code, or they could be required periodically after you start serving alcohol.

It’s a good idea to review what’s expected and make sure your premises meet all the necessary standards. You might also want to conduct your own inspections beforehand to catch any potential issues early.

Basic information on how and when to renew the liquor license

Liquor licenses don’t last forever, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the liquor license renewal process. Typically, you’ll have to renew your license every year or every few years, depending on your specific license type.

The renewal process usually involves filling out paperwork, paying a fee, and possibly undergoing another inspection. Set reminders for yourself well before the expiration date so you have plenty of time to complete all the necessary steps. Keeping track of your renewal schedule will help you avoid any gaps in your ability to serve alcohol.

Where to get help or more information during the application process

If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed during the application process, there are plenty of resources available to help. You can start by contacting local business support centers or trade associations, which often have resources and advisors who can guide you through the process. If you need more specialized help, consider hiring a lawyer who focuses on liquor licensing. They can provide expert advice and help you navigate any complex issues.

A POS system you can trust

A point of sale system is probably the last thing on your mind when going through the process of obtaining a liquor license—but it shouldn't be! Your payment system will have a huge impact on how customers view your business. 

Will your payment process be easy, glitch-free, and secure? Or will customers have to try several times to get the hardware or software to acknowledge their payment method? You don't want a poor payment system to ruin an otherwise great customer experience, and that's where Epos Now can help. 

Whether your customers want to pay with their phones using Apple Pay and Google Pay, or whether you're looking for mobile point of sale options, Epos Now has you covered.

Of course, Epos Now works with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express and your customers can pay contactless, via a link.

Now that you've obtained your liquor license and have a great POS system to back you up, you're finally ready to serve customers!