How To Get a Liquor License in Georgia?

To stay fully compliant with Georgia liquor laws, your employees also need to complete alcohol awareness training. Many counties and municipalities across the state require it. Whether you’re a bar owner in Atlanta or a restaurant manager in Savannah, investing in team certification like the Georgia Alcohol Awareness Training helps you operate safely—and legally.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know: how Georgia’s liquor licensing system works, how long it takes to get a license, what it costs, and what types of licenses are available. We’ll also explore the importance of alcohol certification and why it’s a smart (and often required) step for responsible businesses.

1. Understanding Local Requirements: Georgia’s liquor licensing process is regulated at both the state and local level. Businesses often miss critical steps because they overlook city or county-specific requirements.

2. Long Wait Times: Depending on the complexity of your application and the responsiveness of your local jurisdiction, approval can take anywhere from 30 to 180 days.

3. Knowing the Right License Type: Georgia offers multiple categories of licenses. Selecting the wrong one can delay approvals or result in non-compliance later on.

4. Managing Costs: Between state fees, local fees, legal consultation, and zoning permits, the total cost of a liquor license in Georgia can vary widely and add up quickly.

5. Staying Current with Renewals: Forgetting to renew your liquor license on time can lead to fines or suspension—disrupting operations and revenue.

6. Training Staff Correctly: While alcohol training isn’t always required statewide, many local jurisdictions enforce it—and failing to comply can result in penalties or license revocation.

1. Growing Hospitality Scene: Georgia’s restaurant and nightlife industry continues to expand, especially in metro Atlanta. As new venues open, demand for liquor licenses and trained staff increases.

2. Increased Demand for Special Event Permits: With more weddings, festivals, and private functions, temporary liquor licenses have become popular among caterers and mobile bartenders.

3. Technology in Licensing: The Georgia Department of Revenue has moved many application processes online, streamlining submissions and renewals for businesses.

4. Stronger Focus on Server Responsibility: More counties are encouraging or mandating alcohol awareness certification to prevent over-serving and underage sales.

5. Craft and Brewpub Boom: Georgia’s craft beer and local distillery industry is booming—creating more demand for brewpub and manufacturer licenses.

Navigating Georgia’s liquor licensing system requires coordination between local and state agencies. Here’s how to do it the right way:

Before you can apply for a state license, your city or county must approve your local alcohol license. This may involve:

• Submitting a zoning verification or use permit
• Attending a public hearing
• Getting sign-offs from local departments like health or fire
• Advertising your application in a local newspaper (in some jurisdictions)

Tip: Check with your city hall or local licensing office to get exact requirements—they vary widely across the state.

Once your local license is approved, submit your state application through the Georgia Department of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division.

• You can apply online at dor.georgia.gov
• Include copies of your local approvals and supporting documentation
• Pay the required application and licensing fees
  
  

Important: If you try to apply at the state level before your local license is approved, your application may be denied or delayed.

The state will review your application, conduct background checks, and ensure all forms are complete. They may contact you for additional information.

Once approved, your license must be prominently displayed at your place of business. Make sure to track your renewal date so you don’t fall out of compliance.

Also: This is a great time to certify your team with alcohol awareness training if your city or county requires it (or even if they don’t!).

Georgia liquor licenses are issued based on the type of business and how alcohol is sold or served. Below are the main categories:

Retail Package License: For businesses like liquor stores that sell alcohol for off-premises consumption.

Retail Consumption License: For restaurants, bars, or lounges where alcohol is consumed on-site.

Wholesale Liquor License: For distributors who sell to licensed retailers, not directly to the public.

Temporary permits for events like weddings, fundraisers, or festivals. Businesses must apply in advance and specify the event’s location, hours, and nature.

These licenses permit sales of beer and wine only (no liquor). They’re common for small restaurants, delis, and cafes.

Covers beer, wine, and spirits. Typically required for bars and full-service restaurants. Often includes additional local zoning and public notice requirements.

For venues that brew their own beer and sell it on-site. Popular among microbreweries and taprooms.

Each license type has specific restrictions, fees, and renewals. Be sure to confirm local variations before you apply.

License costs can vary dramatically depending on license type and location. Here’s a general breakdown according to license type:

• Retail Beer & Wine: $300 – $1,500
• Full Liquor License: $2,000 – $10,000+ (varies by city)
• Special Event License: $25 – $200 per event
• Brewpub License: $1,000 – $5,000
• Wholesale License: $1,000 – $5,000+

 Additional fees may include:

• Local zoning or usage permits
• Fingerprinting/background check
• Application processing fees
• Legal and consulting fees (optional but helpful for new applicants)

From start to finish, it can take anywhere between 30 to 180 days to get your liquor license in Georgia.

Here’s a simplified timeline:

• Local Approval: 2–6 weeks (can be longer depending on city council schedules or zoning requirements)
• State Approval: 2–8 weeks (after local approval is submitted)

Tips to avoid delays:

• Submit a complete application with all documents
• Pay all fees upfront
• Be responsive to local authorities during review
• Ensure your staff and managers have required training certifications

While Georgia doesn’t have a statewide alcohol server training mandate, many cities and counties require employees to be certified—especially in larger markets like Atlanta, Marietta, and Macon.

That’s where our Georgia Alcohol Awareness Training comes in. It equips bartenders, servers, managers, and sellers with essential knowledge such as:

• Checking ID accurately
• Recognizing signs of intoxication
• Avoiding overservice
• Understanding Georgia alcohol laws

Training certification helps businesses:

• Protect themselves from fines and liability
• Improve safety and customer experience
• Comply with local ordinances

If your county mandates this training, failure to provide it can result in license suspension—even if your state license is in good standing.

• Apply Early: Start your local application 90 days before your planned open date.
• Get to Know Local Officials: Building rapport with city or county staff can help smooth over issues and speed up approvals.
• Train Your Team Proactively: Even if not required in your area, training helps protect your business from risky mistakes.
• Keep a Renewal Calendar: Georgia requires annual renewal of licenses. Missing deadlines can result in penalties.
• Save Copies of Everything: Always keep backups of your licenses, applications, and training certificates.

Securing a liquor license in Georgia is more than just a legal checkbox—it’s a foundation for running a successful, responsible hospitality business. From choosing the right license to meeting local requirements and training your team, every step plays a role in your long-term success.

Make sure your team is as prepared as your paperwork. Our Georgia Alcohol Awareness Training helps bartenders, servers, managers, and sellers stay sharp, confident, and compliant no matter where in the Peach State you operate.

Whether you're building a brewery in Athens or launching a rooftop bar in Atlanta, the right license and the right training puts you on the path to success.