The agencies state $500,305 in initial fees across 5 of the 10 items; 1 are free; 4 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 Wisconsin?
$500,305 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 4 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 Wisconsin
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $500,305initial fees across 5 of 10 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 4by 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) and the annual report Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Premium only Trade name or trademark registration (optional) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Seller’s permit and Business Tax Registration (withholding account) Wisconsin Department of Revenue Premium only Local licenses Your city Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and occupancy approval Your municipality’s zoning and building inspection departments Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Retail food establishment license (serving meals) Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Premium only Certified food manager DATCP Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Class B combination (beer and liquor) license Your municipality Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and worker’s compensation Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 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
DFI online LLC formation directions and annual report form CORP5 (May 2026); DFI-CCS 10.01 (paper surcharge, March 2024); Wis. Stat. 183.0201; DFI trademark and trade name registration FAQ; Wis. Stat. chapter 132; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue Business Tax Registration FAQ; form BTR-101; Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal, opening your business pages; municipal ordinances; Department of Safety and Professional Services commercial buildings program; municipal zoning and building ordinances; DATCP retail food establishments serving meals pages and license fee schedule; ATCP 75.08 (fees); Wis. Stat. 97.30; ATCP 75 certified food manager rule and the Wisconsin Food Code manager certification requirement; Wis. Stat. 125.51(3)(e) and 125.51(4); Department of Revenue alcohol beverage laws for retailers FAQ; municipal license fee ordinances; DWD 2026 tax rate schedule for employers (Wis. Stat. 108.18); DWD worker’s compensation employer pages (Wis. Stat. 102.04); DWD new hire reporting (DWD 142). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.