The agencies state $55,775 in initial fees across 5 of the 10 items; 2 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 cocktail bar in Alaska?
$55,775 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 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 cocktail bar in Alaska
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $55,775initial fees across 5 of 10 items
- Free items
- 2no 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 report and the biennial report Alaska Division of Corporations Premium only Alaska business license Alaska Division of Corporations Premium only Business name registration (DBA) Alaska Division of Corporations Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee No state sales tax or personal income tax; local sales tax registration where the city or borough levies one Your city or borough finance office Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval, building permit, fire marshal plan review and certificate of occupancy Your city or borough planning and building departments Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Premium only Certified food protection manager Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Restaurant or eating place license (beer and wine), or beverage dispensary license (full bar) Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Alaska Department of Labor and 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
Division of Corporations forms and fees schedule (AS 10.50; form 08-484); Business Licensing FAQs and new application form (AS 43.70.020); Division of Corporations forms and fees schedule; business name registration and renewal forms (08-560); IRS EIN page; Alaska Department of Revenue Tax Division; municipal sales tax codes (Title 29); Alaska Remote Seller Sales Tax Commission; Department of Public Safety Division of Fire and Life Safety plan review pages; municipal zoning and building codes; DEC opening a new food establishment pages; 18 AAC 31.030 and 31.050 (Alaska Food Code); Anchorage Municipal Code chapter 16.60; DEC certified food protection manager page; 18 AAC 31.320 and 31.325; AS 04.09.210 and 04.09.200 (Title 04 as rewritten by SB 9, effective January 1, 2024); AS 04.11.400 (population limits); AMCO alcohol license application pages and license overview chart; Department of Labor unemployment insurance tax rates for new (industry) employers, 2026; Division of Workers’ Compensation employer information; AS 25.27.075 (new hire reporting). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.