The agencies state $16,160 in initial fees across 7 of the 10 items; 1 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 cocktail bar in Delaware?
$16,160 in state fees the agencies state, across 7 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 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 cocktail bar in Delaware
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $16,160initial fees across 7 of 10 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by 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 Certificate of formation (LLC) and the annual LLC tax Delaware Division of Corporations Premium only Trade name (DBA) registration Delaware Division of Revenue Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee State business license, gross receipts tax and withholding registration Delaware Division of Revenue Premium only City or town business license Your municipality Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval, State Fire Marshal plan review and certificate of occupancy Your county or municipal land use and building office Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit Delaware Division of Public Health Premium only Certified food protection manager Delaware Division of Public Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Restaurant, taproom or tavern license Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, Delaware Paid Leave, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Delaware Department of Labor 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 fee schedule and LLC tax pages; 6 Del. C. 18-1107 as amended by House Bill 400 (85 Del. Laws c. 273); One Stop trade name pages and FAQ; 6 Del. C. chapter 31 as amended by House Bill 40 and Senate Bill 291; IRS EIN page; Division of Revenue tax tips for general retailers and restaurant retailers; 30 Del. C. chapters 23 and 29; One Stop registration pages; City of Wilmington business license application and 2023 fee ordinance; municipal codes; State Fire Marshal tenant fit-out, renovation and occupancy change application; New Castle County certificate of use requirements; county and municipal codes; Office of Food Protection plan review requirements; 16 Del. C. 134 as amended in 2020; State of Delaware Food Code (16 DE Admin. Code 4458); State of Delaware Food Code 2-102.12; Office of Food Protection certified food protection manager FAQ; 4 Del. C. 554 (license fees) and 541 (hearings); Commissioner’s FAQ and online licensing pages; Department of Labor employer services pages (2026 taxable wage base and merit rate table); Delaware Paid Leave FAQ; Office of Workers’ Compensation employer knowledge base (19 Del. C. 2306); Division of Child Support Services employer pages. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.