The agencies state $343 to $567 in initial fees across 3 of the 10 items; 3 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 Florida?
$343 to $567 in state fees the agencies state, across 3 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 3 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 Florida
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 17, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $343 to $567initial fees across 3 of 10 items
- Free items
- 3no 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) or a fictitious name Florida Department of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Florida business tax registration (sales and use tax, reemployment tax) Florida Department of Revenue Free Local business tax receipt (county and city) The county tax collector Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of use or occupancy Your city or county building and zoning department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Public food service establishment license Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Premium only Certified food manager Florida DBPR Premium only Food handler training for every food service employee Florida DBPR approved programs Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Alcoholic beverage license Florida DBPR Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Reemployment tax account and new hire reporting Florida Department of Revenue 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
Division of Corporations fee schedule and fictitious name FAQ; IRS EIN page; Florida Department of Revenue account management and registration page; Form DR-1; Florida Statutes chapter 205, local business taxes; Florida Statutes chapter 205; Miami-Dade County local business tax guidance; DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants food license fee page and food service guide; DBPR food manager certification page; DBPR food service employee training page; section 509.049, Florida Statutes; Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco license types and fee chart (2025); Florida Department of Revenue registration page; Form DR-1. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.