The agencies state $18,545 to $18,575 in initial fees across 5 of the 11 items; 3 are free; 3 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a bar in Massachusetts?
$18,545 to $18,575 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 11 licenses, permits and registrations; 3 are free; 3 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a bar in Massachusetts
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $18,545 to $18,575initial fees across 5 of 11 items
- Free items
- 3no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 3by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 11in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Certificate of organization (LLC) and the annual report Secretary of the Commonwealth Premium only Business certificate (DBA) The city or town clerk where the business has its office Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee MassTaxConnect registration: sales and use tax, meals tax, withholding Massachusetts Department of Revenue Free Local licensing: no state business license Your city or town’s licensing authority Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval, building permit and certificate of occupancy Your city or town building department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit Your local board of health Premium only Certified food protection manager and allergen awareness certificate Local board of health Premium only Common victualler license Your city or town’s licensing authority Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Section 12 restaurant license: all alcoholic beverages, or wines and malt beverages Your city or town’s local licensing authority Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, paid family and medical leave, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Department of Unemployment Assistance Premium only
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Corporations Division LLC pages and filing fee schedule; 950 CMR 112.00; M.G.L. c. 156C; M.G.L. c. 110, section 5; town clerk business certificate pages (Milford, Middleton and Norfolk $50, Boylston and Southborough $40, Rochester $20); IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue MassTaxConnect registration pages; M.G.L. c. 64H and c. 64L; Massachusetts General Laws c. 140 (local licenses); city licensing pages (Cambridge License Commission, Boston Licensing Board); Board of Building Regulations and Standards (780 CMR); M.G.L. c. 40A (zoning); municipal zoning bylaws and ordinances; 105 CMR 590.000 (Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments, adopting the FDA Food Code); municipal board of health permit pages (Milford, Kingston, Provincetown); 105 CMR 590.011 (C)(3)(a); Department of Public Health food allergen awareness guidance (M.G.L. c. 140, section 6B); M.G.L. c. 140, sections 2 to 9; municipal common victualler pages (Cambridge, Barnstable, Littleton, Andover, Gardner); M.G.L. c. 138, sections 12 and 17; ABCC new retail license application and FAQ; Boston Licensing Board retail license page; Chelmsford and Lexington fee tables; Department of Unemployment Assistance employer contribution pages (2026 rates, $15,000 wage base); Department of Family and Medical Leave contribution pages (M.G.L. c. 175M); Department of Industrial Accidents workers’ compensation requirements; 830 CMR 62E.2.1 (new hires). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.