The agencies state $44,160 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 Nevada?
$44,160 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 Nevada
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $44,160initial 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), the initial list of managers and the state business license Nevada Secretary of State Premium only Fictitious firm name certificate (DBA) The county clerk in the county where the business operates Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales tax permit, security deposit and Modified Business Tax registration Nevada Department of Taxation Premium only City or county business license Your city’s business licensing division Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county planning and building departments Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment health permit Southern Nevada Health District Premium only Certified food protection manager and food handler safety training cards Your health district Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Tavern, restaurant service bar, or beer and wine on-premises license Your city or county liquor licensing board Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Nevada Department of Employment 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 LLC pages, fee schedule and state business license FAQ; NRS 86.561, 86.263 and 76.100; Washoe County Clerk fee schedule and fictitious firm name forms; Clark County Clerk fictitious firm name fee chart; NRS Chapter 602; IRS EIN page; Department of Taxation start and run a business pages and new business basic training; NRS 372.510 (security); NRS Chapter 363B (Modified Business Tax); Clark County Department of Business License guide; City of Reno Business Licensing FY 2026/2027 adopted fees; City of Las Vegas business license instruction sheets; Clark County Building and Fire Prevention; City of Las Vegas and City of Reno business licensing guides; local codes; Southern Nevada Health District plan review applications, 2023 Food Regulations and Environmental Health Fee Schedule; Northern Nevada Public Health food establishment permit FAQ; Southern Nevada Health District food handler and certified food safety manager FAQ; 2023 SNHD Food Regulations; Northern Nevada Public Health food regulations; Clark County Code 8.20.470 and the county’s liquor and gaming guide; City of Las Vegas alcohol licenses general information (PL231) and tavern instruction sheet; City of Reno Business Licensing FY 2026/2027 adopted fees (RMC 5.07); NRS Chapter 369; DETR employer UI information and quarterly reporting pages (2026 and 2027 taxable wage bases); Division of Industrial Relations employer brochure. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.