Step 9 — Alcohol License (If Applicable)

Do You Need an Alcohol License?

If your restaurant will serve beer, wine, or spirits — even for on-premises consumption — you need both a Georgia state alcohol license and a City of Atlanta alcohol license. Start this process as early as possible; it runs parallel to all other opening steps and typically takes 30–90 days.

Two Licenses Required

1. Georgia State Alcohol License (Georgia DOR)

Issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue Alcohol and Tobacco Division.

Types:

• Consumption on Premises (COP) — for restaurants serving alcohol for on-site consumption
• Retail Dealer — for take-out/package sales (less common for restaurants)

How to Apply:

1. Register at dor.georgia.gov/alcohol
2. Complete the Retailer Application online
3. Background checks required for all owners with 10%+ interest
4. Pay the state license fee (varies by license type and county population)

Georgia DOR Alcohol and Tobacco Division Phone: (877) 423-6711

2. City of Atlanta Alcohol License

Atlanta has its own local licensing process, which includes City Council approval for new licenses.

How to Apply:

1. Submit application to Atlanta's Office of Revenue
2. Application includes: FBI background check, floor plan, proof of ownership/lease, state license application
3. Application is published for public comment
4. Atlanta City Council must vote to approve
5. Timeline: 60–90 days from complete application submission

Phone: (404) 330-6270

Key Requirements for Both Licenses

• All owners with 10%+ ownership must pass background checks
• The premises must be a certain distance from schools, churches, and parks (varies by license type)
• A designated Alcohol Compliance Manager must be identified
• Food service must be available during hours alcohol is served (for restaurant licenses)

Important: Start Early

Alcohol licensing is the longest single process in the restaurant opening sequence. Begin the application as soon as you have a signed lease and business entity formed — do not wait until your CO is issued.

What SpoonSeal tracks

The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.