Virginia is a non-quota / open-issue state: you apply to the state for a new license rather than buying one on a secondary market. The application/license fee is Mixed Beverage Restaurant annual fee by seating: 1–100 $1,050; 101–150 $1,495; 151–500 $1,980; 501–1,000 $2,500; 1,000+ $3,100 (Virginia ABC) — plus a small state application fee.
Bottom line: issuing body is the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC); the license most bars/restaurants need is the Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses; typical timeline ~60 days on average (60–90 with local approvals); state fee $1,050.
High-level overview of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) process — your exact path depends on license type, city/county, and whether you're applying new vs. transferring an existing license.
| State application / license fee | Mixed Beverage Restaurant annual fee by seating: 1–100 $1,050; 101–150 $1,495; 151–500 $1,980; 501–1,000 $2,500; 1,000+ $3,100 (Virginia ABC) — plus a small state application fee |
| License type (bar/restaurant) | Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses |
| Quota state? | No — open issue |
| Typical timeline | ~60 days on average (60–90 with local approvals) |
Virginia is a control state for spirits but bar/restaurant licenses are non-quota — issued on application — so your cost is the state fees plus local requirements, not a secondary-market premium.
A liquor-license consultant / expediter handles the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) application, public notice, background packet, and (in quota states) the transfer paperwork — typically $2,000–$10,000 depending on complexity. Worth it if you're on a build timeline and can't afford a rejected application.
Start at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) →
Tip for the owner: set AFFILIATE_LIQUOR_PRO_URL to a licensing-consultant lead-gen/affiliate link to monetize this CTA. Until then it points to the official Virginia board.
Virginia is a control state (spirits bought from Virginia ABC stores) and its mixed-beverage restaurant license requires a real food operation — food + non-alcoholic sales must be at least 45% of combined food-and-alcohol sales, with at least $4,000/month in on-premise food.
See the full per-step requirements: Virginia liquor license requirements → · Cost detail: Virginia liquor license cost →
Apply to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC). The license most bars and restaurants need is the Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses. Virginia issues these on application — there is no statewide cap. Expect roughly ~60 days on average (60–90 with local approvals) from a complete application to issuance.
The state application/license fee is Mixed Beverage Restaurant annual fee by seating: 1–100 $1,050; 101–150 $1,495; 151–500 $1,980; 501–1,000 $2,500; 1,000+ $3,100 (Virginia ABC) — plus a small state application fee. Virginia is non-quota, so there's no large secondary-market premium — your main costs are the state fee plus local approvals.
Typically ~60 days on average (60–90 with local approvals) from a complete application, per the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) process — longer if there's a public-notice/protest period or local council approval. Virginia is a control state (spirits bought from Virginia ABC stores) and its mixed-beverage restaurant license requires a real food operation — food + non-alcoholic sales must be at least 45% of combined food-and-alcohol sales, with at least $4,000/month in on-premise food.
Usually both. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) issues the state license (Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses); your city or county typically requires a separate local permit, zoning sign-off, or council approval. Confirm local requirements with your city before you apply to the state.
Looking in California instead? LiquorDesk also tracks surrendered & transfer-pending California liquor licenses by county, live from the CA ABC export — often a faster route than a new quota license.
Regulatory facts on this page are from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) (Virginia's official alcohol-licensing authority). Verified against the board's published material on 2026-06-22. Fees, quotas and rules change — always confirm the current figures with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) before you apply. This is informational regulatory content, not legal advice; for a transfer or contested application consult a licensed attorney or licensing consultant.