Bottom line: apply to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) for the Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses. You'll need a registered business, secured premises, local zoning approval, owner background checks, and public notice. Virginia is non-quota — you apply for a new license directly.
| Issuing body | Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) |
| License type (bar/restaurant) | Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses |
| Quota state? | No |
| State 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 |
| Typical timeline | ~60 days on average (60–90 with local approvals) |
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.
In Virginia 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 Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) for the Mixed Beverage Restaurant License (tiered by seating) plus wine & beer licenses. 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.
Most states, including Virginia, weigh criminal history case-by-case; certain felonies (especially alcohol-, fraud-, or violence-related) can disqualify or require a waiver. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) makes the final call — disclose and ask them directly.
Usually yes — the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) 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 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.