The agencies state $9,705 in initial fees across 6 of the 10 items; 1 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 Missouri?
$9,705 in state fees the agencies state, across 6 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 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 Missouri
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $9,705initial fees across 6 of 10 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 3by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 10in 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 Articles of organization (LLC); no annual report Missouri Secretary of State Premium only Fictitious name registration (DBA) Missouri Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Missouri tax registration: retail sales tax license, employer withholding, and the sales tax bond Missouri Department of Revenue Premium only City or county business license Your city clerk or finance department Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county planning Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit Your local public health agency Premium only Certified food protection manager, where the local code requires one Your local public health agency Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Retail liquor by the drink license Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations 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
Secretary of State corporations FAQ and form LLC-1 (fee schedule); Small Business Startup Guide; RSMo 417.200 to 417.230; Secretary of State fictitious name registration (form Corp. 56) and schedule of fees; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue business registration pages (form 2643, MyTax Missouri); 12 CSR 10-104.020 (sales and use tax bonds); RSMo 144.087; Kansas City business license FAQ (forms RD-105 and RD-103); City of St. Louis graduated business license fee schedule; Secretary of State Small Business Startup Guide; Secretary of State Small Business Startup Guide (local requirements); city and county building and zoning ordinances; Department of Health and Senior Services retail food program; 19 CSR 20-1.025 (Missouri Food Code); St. Louis County health permit application page; Kansas City Health Department restaurant guide; Department of Health and Senior Services food safety training page; Missouri Food Code (person in charge); local food ordinances; RSMo 311.200, 311.220 and 311.293; Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control fee page and retail by the drink license checklist; Division of Employment Security tax rates page (2026 new employer rates and taxable wage base); Division of Workers’ Compensation employer insurance page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.