The agencies state $1,697 in initial fees across 5 of the 11 items; 3 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 California?
$1,697 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 11 licenses, permits and registrations; 3 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 California
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 17, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $1,697initial fees across 5 of 11 items
- Free items
- 3no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 3by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 11in 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) or a fictitious business name California Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Seller’s permit California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Free City business license or business tax registration Your city Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Certificate of occupancy and building permits for the build-out Your city or county building department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Public health permit for a food facility, with plan check Your county environmental health department Premium only Food safety certified manager California Department of Public Health Premium only California food handler card for every food employee California Department of Public Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Alcoholic beverage license California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Premium only Responsible Beverage Service certification for servers and managers California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Employer payroll tax account Employment Development Department Free
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 business entities pages; Franchise Tax Board LLC page; Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder fictitious business name pages; IRS EIN page; CDTFA seller’s permit FAQ and online registration page; City of Los Angeles Office of Finance business tax registration pages; Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety; Los Angeles County Public Health, how to obtain a restaurant permit, and its fee schedule; CDPH retail food safety training guidance; California Retail Food Code; CDPH retail food safety training guidance; Health and Safety Code food handler sections; ABC annual fee schedule and application fee schedules (2026); ABC Responsible Beverage Service program page and FAQ; EDD register as an employer page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.