If you’re starting a business in Texas, you’re likely thinking about the wide range of permits and zoning requirements that you’ll have to obtain. Depending on the type of business that you’re starting, however, you may also need to purchase a liquor license in Dallas, TX for your enterprise.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the Lone Star State.

Whether you’re hoping to sell and serve liquor onsite or are simply hoping to sell liquor as a retail function, you’ll have to obtain a license through your county’s branch of the TABC. This often requires significant legal expertise and a familiarity with the inner workings of the TABC. Working with a qualified permit service is usually the best way to go about accomplishing this.

Types of Licenses

Before applying for a liquor license in Dallas, TX, it’s important to first familiarize yourself with the different types of licenses available, and ensure that you’re applying for the correct type of license. Here are the most common types of liquor licenses that you’re likely to encounter:

• Restaurant license: If your establishment will primarily sell food, but you also want to offer a menu of spirit-based drinks, as well as beers and wine, you can apply for a restaurant liquor license. This will allow you to sell any alcohol, so long as food makes up the larger volume of your sales.
• Beer and wine license: For businesses that plan to offer beer and wine sales, but nothing that’s spirit-based, you can use a beer and wine license. These licenses are often easier and more cost-effective to obtain, because they restrict the type of alcohol that you’re allowed to sell.
• Tavern liquor license: If you sell both alcohol and food, but the bulk of your sales volume comes from liquor sales, you’ll need to obtain a tavern license. This is similar to a restaurant license, but may require some extra levels of compliance.
• Server license: Some jurisdictions may require individual servers to also have liquor licenses, as well as licenses issued to the establishment itself. It’s important to make sure that you never have anyone under the age of 21 handling alcohol, as this could jeopardize your permit status.

Once you apply for a liquor license, you’ll have to prepare your establishment for an inspection performed by your local TABC branch. It’s best to prepare for your inspection as early as possible. It may be worthwhile to hire a permit service to come and look through your restaurant or retail space prior to the inspection to ensure that everything is in line with state and local standards.

LaBarba Permit Service is a trusted expert helping businesses of all sizes obtain liquor licenses in Dallas, TX. We work with companies to help them maintain state compliance and secure the permits necessary to do business. To learn more about ways that we can help you cut through the red tape and maintain your TABC compliance, reach out to one of our friendly, knowledgeable representatives here at LaBarba Permit Service today.