The agencies state $15,274 in initial fees across 7 of the 11 items; 2 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 Mississippi?
$15,274 in state fees the agencies state, across 7 of the 11 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 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 Mississippi
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $15,274initial fees across 7 of 11 items
- Free items
- 2no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by 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 Certificate of formation (LLC) and the annual report Mississippi Secretary of State Premium only Fictitious business name registration (DBA) Mississippi Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales tax permit and withholding account (TAP registration) Mississippi Department of Revenue Free Municipal privilege license Your city’s clerk or code office Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county building official and fire chief Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food facility permit and plan review Mississippi State Department of Health Premium only Certified food protection manager Mississippi State Department of Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Beer and light wine retailer’s permit Mississippi Department of Revenue Premium only On-premises retailer’s permit (liquor and wine) Mississippi Department of Revenue Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Mississippi Department of Employment 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
Secretary of State business services fee schedule and LLC formation pages; Fictitious Business Name Registration Act (Senate Bill 2003, 2010); Secretary of State fictitious business name filing; IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue business tax FAQ and Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) registration pages; Mississippi Code 27-17-5, 27-17-9 and 27-17-463; city privilege license pages (Bay St. Louis, Ridgeland, Batesville, Natchez); City building and use and occupancy permit pages (Byhalia, Wiggins); State Fire Marshal rules on local fire officials; State Department of Health food permits and fees page; Mississippi Code 41-3-18; State Department of Health food permit application requirements; Mississippi Food Code (FDA Food Code as adopted); Department of Revenue beer, light wine and light spirits page; Mississippi Code 67-3-15 and following; Department of Revenue ABC permits and fees page; Mississippi Code 27-71-5 and 67-1-51; House Bill 1330 (2026); MDES employer FAQ (taxable wage base and new employer rates); MDHS new hire reporting pages; Workers’ Compensation Commission facts for employers (Mississippi Code 71-3-5). Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.