Texas • liquor license requirements

Liquor license requirements in Texas

Bottom line: apply to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for the Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) for full liquor, often with a Food & Beverage Certificate. You'll need a registered business, secured premises, local zoning approval, owner background checks, and public notice. Texas is non-quota — you apply for a new license directly.

What you need — Texas liquor license

Texas at a glance

Issuing bodyTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
License type (bar/restaurant)Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) for full liquor, often with a Food & Beverage Certificate
Quota state?No
State feeMixed Beverage Permit $5,300 original / $2,650 renewal (two-year term, state) — local fee exempt at original
Typical timeline~30–35 days from a complete application; 2–4 months end-to-end

Want it done for you in Texas?

A liquor-license consultant / expediter handles the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) 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 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) →

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 Texas board.

FAQ — Texas liquor license requirements

What are the requirements for a liquor license in Texas?

In Texas 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 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for the Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) for full liquor, often with a Food & Beverage Certificate. Texas has 'wet' and 'dry' areas decided by local option elections — confirm your exact address is wet for the alcohol type you want before signing a lease.

Can a felon get a liquor license in Texas?

Most states, including Texas, weigh criminal history case-by-case; certain felonies (especially alcohol-, fraud-, or violence-related) can disqualify or require a waiver. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) makes the final call — disclose and ask them directly.

Do I need a license for the state and the city in Texas?

Usually yes — the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) 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.

How to get a liquor license in Texas → · Texas cost →

Source & verification

Regulatory facts on this page are from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) (Texas'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 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) before you apply. This is informational regulatory content, not legal advice; for a transfer or contested application consult a licensed attorney or licensing consultant.

How to get a liquor license in other states

All states & the how-to-get index →