In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- How to get a liquor license in Vermont
- How much a Vermont liquor license costs
- The difference between license types
- The application and approval process
- The importance of alcohol awareness training for your staff
Let’s get started.
A Vermont liquor license is a legal requirement for any business or individual planning
to sell or serve alcohol in the state. It applies to:
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Caterers
- Hotels
- Clubs
- Breweries and distilleries
To operate legally, you need a license issued by the Vermont DLC after your local town or city government has approved it.
Important: A liquor license covers the business. But individual employees—bartenders, servers, and managers—must also complete state-approved alcohol awareness training to legally serve alcohol.
There are three common types of liquor licenses in Vermont:
- Allows sale of beer and wine for consumption on-site
- Used by most restaurants, bars, and cafes
- Cost: Around $115 annually
- Allows sale of spirits/hard liquor for on-site consumption
- Must have a First-Class license to apply
- Cost: Around $1,095 annually
- For businesses selling alcohol for off-site consumption (e.g., convenience stores, grocery stores)
- Cost: Varies by municipality
Some municipalities may add local fees or require additional permits—always check with your town clerk.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how to get your Vermont liquor license:
- Visit the Vermont DLC portal
- Choose the license class that fits your business
- Upload documents: floor plans, insurance, business registration, etc.
- Your application goes to your local Liquor Control Board (Selectboard) for approval
- Some towns require attending a board meeting—check deadlines (e.g., Wednesdays before the meeting in some towns)
- Once the local board approves, the Vermont DLC will complete the review
- Expect a wait time of 2–6 weeks
Documents you may need:- Business registration or LLC certificate
- Proof of insurance
- Site layout/floor plan
- Menu (for restaurants)
- License fee payment
Here’s a quick breakdown of estimated Vermont liquor license costs according to license type:
- First-Class License: $115/year
- Third-Class License: $1,095/year
- Second-Class License: Varies
Additional fees may include:- Local Selectboard application fee
- Fire and safety inspection costs
- Renewal processing fees
Don’t forget: You need to
renew your license annually, and deadlines vary by town.
Yes. Vermont law requires that anyone who serves or sells alcohol (including bartenders, servers, and managers) must complete alcohol server training before handling alcohol.
- Must be completed before the employee begins work
- Must be renewed every two years
Training typically covers:
- Checking IDs
- Preventing underage drinking
- Handling intoxicated customers
- Reducing liability for your business
Understanding the minimum age to serve alcohol in Vermont is critical for compliance.
As of 2026, Vermont law allows:
18 years old – To serve alcohol in restaurants and licensed establishments
- 18 years old – To pour, mix, and bartend (including spirits)
- 16–17 years old – To sell alcohol in retail stores under direct supervision
Unlike some states, Vermont does not require bartenders to be 21 years old. Individuals 18 and older may legally perform all on-premises alcohol service duties, including mixing and pouring spirits.
Even though 18-year-olds may bartend:
- License holders remain legally responsible for service decisions
- Vermont dram shop laws apply regardless of staff age
- Selling to minors or overserving can trigger fines or license suspension
Vermont enforces zero tolerance for underage alcohol sales.
Penalties may include:
- Fines up to $1,000 per violation
- Mandatory retraining
- License suspension
- License revocation for repeat offenses
Compliance checks are common and unannounced.
Proper ID training protects your license.
Holding a Vermont liquor license means complying with more than just application requirements. Ongoing operational compliance is equally important.
Statewide serving hours generally allow alcohol sales:
- Until 12:00 AM (Midnight) Sunday–Thursday
- Until 2:00 AM Friday–Saturday
Some municipalities may impose stricter local closing times.
Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas Day.
Always verify with your local Selectboard for town-specific limitations.
Vermont restricts promotions that encourage rapid or excessive consumption.
Prohibited practices include:
- All-you-can-drink specials
- Drinking contests
- Promotions encouraging binge consumption
- Time-based unlimited alcohol offers
Traditional price reductions may be permitted, but they cannot incentivize excessive drinking behavior.
Violations can result in:
- Fines
- Suspension
- License revocation
Under Vermont dram shop laws, a business can be held liable if it:
- Serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person
- Serves alcohol to a minor
- Fails to properly supervise alcohol service
If an intoxicated patron later causes injury or property damage, the establishment may face civil lawsuits and financial damages.
This makes alcohol awareness training not just a requirement—but a legal safeguard.
Businesses must collect and remit:
- 17% state spirits tax
- 6% sales tax on beer and wine
- Applicable meals and rooms tax (for on-premise establishments)
Failure to properly report alcohol sales taxes may result in audits or penalties.
Even well-prepared business owners can run into trouble with Vermont’s liquor licensing process. Here are some common (and costly) mistakes to watch out for — and how to avoid them:
Each town or city in Vermont has its own schedule for reviewing liquor license applications. Many Selectboards meet only once a month, and some require submissions days in advance. For example, Morristown requires applications by noon the Wednesday before a meeting. Missing this deadline could delay your opening by weeks.
Fix: Call your town clerk early and mark their meeting dates and deadlines on your calendar.
The Vermont DLC requires several supporting documents for each application — such as business registration, proof of insurance, and floor plans. Submitting a partial or poorly prepared application can cause delays, rejections, or extra fees.
Fix: Use the official DLC licensing checklist and triple-check that all fields and uploads are complete before submitting.
It’s a violation of Vermont law to allow staff to serve or sell alcohol without completing an
approved alcohol awareness training. This puts your liquor license at risk and opens your business up to fines and liability.
Fix: Make it a policy to require new hires to complete
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training before their first shift.
Liquor licenses must be renewed annually, and staff certifications are valid for two years. Forgetting to renew either can result in service disruptions or temporary suspension of your license.
Fix: Keep a renewal calendar and assign someone on your team to monitor and manage deadlines proactively.
Want to avoid the hassle and get licensed without delays? Here are some best practices from experienced bar owners and industry professionals in Vermont:
Whether you're opening a new bar or renewing a license, the process takes time. Between local approvals, state reviews, and staff training, planning ahead is your best insurance.
Pro Tip: Apply in January or February to avoid the spring rush of new applications.
Every Vermont town has different rules. Some require public hearings, others need signed local zoning forms. Calling your clerk gives you the exact steps and deadlines for your location — and helps you avoid surprise delays.
Pro Tip: Ask about fire inspections, zoning verifications, or any local forms beyond the DLC application.
The Vermont DLC portal provides an application checklist tailored to your license type. Use it to gather your floor plans, insurance certificates, and tax ID numbers ahead of time.
Pro Tip: Scan all documents as PDFs so they’re easy to upload.
Don’t wait until opening week to handle training. Staff certification is legally required and protects your business.
The Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training course from Certification Experts is 100% online and mobile-friendly — perfect for onboarding new hires fast.
Licenses renew annually, and staff certifications every two years. Use Google Calendar, project management software, or even a shared wall calendar to stay on top of these dates.
Pro Tip: Schedule reminders 30 days before each deadline to allow for paperwork and processing time.
Getting a liquor license in Vermont can be a smooth process —
if you follow the steps and plan ahead. Remember, local approval is just as important as state approval, and skipping either step can cause serious delays.
Equally important is making sure your employees are legally certified to serve alcohol. The state requires it, and it’s one of the best ways to protect your business from costly violations.
If you’re onboarding a new team or launching your bar soon, we recommend enrolling staff in a quick and affordable training like the
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training from the Certification Experts
. It’s 100% online, mobile-friendly, and approved by the state of Vermont.
Explore more guides and training resources for alcohol service in Vermont:
