The agencies state $10,175 in initial fees across 4 of the 10 items; 2 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 Michigan?
$10,175 in state fees the agencies state, across 4 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 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 Michigan
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $10,175initial fees across 4 of 10 items
- Free items
- 2no 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) and the annual statement Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Premium only Assumed name (DBA) LARA Corporations Division for an LLC or corporation Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Michigan business tax registration (sales tax license, withholding) Michigan Department of Treasury Free Local business license and city income tax Your city Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or township building and zoning department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food service establishment license Your local health department Premium only Certified food safety manager Local health department Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Class C or Tavern license Michigan Liquor Control Commission Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency 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
LARA Corporations Division filing pages and fee schedule; LARA certificate of assumed name form; county clerk fee schedules; IRS EIN page; Treasury new business registration pages and form 518; Treasury city income tax pages; municipal ordinances; LARA Bureau of Construction Codes; municipal zoning ordinances; MDARD food establishment licensing pages (food service is licensed locally); Michigan Food Law manager certification requirement; MCL 436.1525 (license fees); MLCC on-premises retailer license application (LCC-100a); Unemployment Insurance Agency employer pages; Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency employer coverage pages. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.