The agencies state $35,001 in initial fees across 5 of the 9 items; 2 are free; 2 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 North Carolina?
$35,001 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 9 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 are free; 2 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 North Carolina
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 17, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $35,001initial fees across 5 of 9 items
- Free items
- 2no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 9in 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) and the annual report North Carolina Secretary of State Premium only Assumed business name certificate (DBA) Register of Deeds in the county where the business mainly operates Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Business registration for sales and use tax and withholding (NC-BR) North Carolina Department of Revenue Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval, certificate of occupancy and local business registration Your city or county planning Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit The county health department’s environmental health office Premium only Certified food protection manager County health department Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee ABC retail permits North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation North Carolina Division of Employment Security 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 fee schedule for limited liability companies; G.S. 66-71.4; Durham and Brunswick County Register of Deeds instructions; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue online business registration (form NC-BR); Secretary of State business licensing guidance; local ordinances; NC DHHS Environmental Health Section plan review unit; county plan review applications (Rowan, Durham, Forsyth); North Carolina Food Code (15A NCAC 18A .2652); G.S. 18B-902 and 18B-903; ABC Commission retail permit types and renewal pages; Division of Employment Security employer pages and 2026 tax rate table; Industrial Commission employer requirements. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.