Bottom line: apply to the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) for the Quota license (4COP) for a standalone full bar — or SFS Special Food Service for restaurants (not quota-limited). You'll need a registered business, secured premises, local zoning approval, owner background checks, and public notice. Florida is a quota state, so a transfer of an existing license is common.
| Issuing body | Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) |
| License type (bar/restaurant) | Quota license (4COP) for a standalone full bar — or SFS Special Food Service for restaurants (not quota-limited) |
| Quota state? | Yes |
| State fee | Annual state fee $624–$1,820, tiered by county population (Miami-Dade $1,820); lottery entry $100. State only — the quota license itself is the big secondary-market cost |
| Typical timeline | SFS ~6–12 weeks; a new quota license is tied to the annual lottery (months to >1 year) |
A liquor-license consultant / expediter handles the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) 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 Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) →
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 Florida board.
In Florida you generally need: a registered business and secured premises, local zoning approval, owner background checks, public notice during the protest period, and an application to the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) for the Quota license (4COP) for a standalone full bar — or SFS Special Food Service for restaurants (not quota-limited). Florida runs a quota-license LOTTERY each year (winning one costs far less than the secondary market, and you can resell it), and restaurants can bypass the quota entirely with an SFS license — which requires 2,000 sq ft / 120 seats / at least 51% food revenue.
Most states, including Florida, weigh criminal history case-by-case; certain felonies (especially alcohol-, fraud-, or violence-related) can disqualify or require a waiver. The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) makes the final call — disclose and ask them directly.
Usually yes — the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) issues the state license and your city/county typically requires its own permit plus zoning sign-off. Clear the local approval before or alongside the state application.
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 Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) (Florida'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 Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) before you apply. This is informational regulatory content, not legal advice; for a transfer or contested application consult a licensed attorney or licensing consultant.