The agencies state $47,960 to $48,120 in initial fees across 6 of the 10 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 Montana?
$47,960 to $48,120 in state fees the agencies state, across 6 of the 10 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 Montana
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $47,960 to $48,120initial fees across 6 of 10 items
- Free items
- 2no 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 Articles of organization (LLC) and the annual report Montana Secretary of State Premium only Assumed business name registration (DBA) Montana Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Wage withholding account (Montana has no general sales tax) Montana Department of Revenue Free City business license Your city’s finance or licensing office Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval, building permits and certificate of occupancy Your city or county building department where it runs a certified program Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Retail food establishment license Your county or city-county health department Premium only Certified food protection manager Local health department Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee All-beverages license (or the on-premises beer and wine license) Montana Department of Revenue Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Montana Department of Labor and Industry 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; Secretary of State notice waiving the 2026 and 2027 annual report fee; Secretary of State business services fee schedule (assumed business name registration and renewal); IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue withholding account pages and form GenReg; City of Billings business license information and business tax determination form; City of Missoula business licensing fee schedule (Resolution 8887); Department of Labor and Industry Building Codes Program pages; MCA Title 50, chapter 60; MCA 50-50-205 (2025); DPHHS retail food license application; ARM 37.110.238; ARM 37.110.262; county health department CFPM guidance (Lake, Cascade and Missoula counties); MCA 16-4-201, 16-4-430 and 16-4-501; Department of Revenue all-beverages license and on-premises beer and wine license guides; Unemployment Insurance Division 2026 rate explanation (Schedule 1, $47,300 wage base) and new employer rate insert; Employment Relations Division insurance compliance pages; DPHHS new hire reporting guide. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.