The agencies state $8,544 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 cocktail bar in Arizona?
$8,544 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 cocktail bar in Arizona
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $8,544initial 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), publication and no annual report Arizona Corporation Commission Premium only Trade name registration (DBA) Arizona Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Transaction privilege tax (TPT) license and withholding registration (Joint Tax Application) Arizona Department of Revenue Premium only City business license Your city or town clerk or license office Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county planning and development department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit Your county environmental health department Premium only Certified food protection manager Your county health department Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Restaurant (series 12), bar (series 6) or beer and wine bar (series 7) liquor license Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Arizona Department of Economic 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
Corporation Commission articles of organization instructions (form L010i); A.R.S. 29-3201; Secretary of State trade name registration pages; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue TPT license and renewal pages; A.R.S. 42-5005; City of Phoenix license services FAQ; city codes; City and county zoning and building codes; Arizona adopts building codes city by city; Maricopa County Environmental Health Code fee schedule (revised August 19, 2026); Maricopa County food and restaurants pages; Maricopa County Environmental Health Code chapter VII (food employees and certified food protection managers); county food pages; Department of Liquor Licenses and Control fee chart and series 12 application; series 12 renewal form; A.R.S. Title 4; DES unemployment insurance tax rate chart for 2026 (UIT-0603A); DES new hire reporting page; Industrial Commission employer pages (A.R.S. 23-902). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.