The agencies state $604 in initial fees across 4 of the 9 items; 3 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 New York?
$604 in state fees the agencies state, across 4 of the 9 licenses, permits and registrations; 3 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 New York
Drafted from the agencies’ own pages; some rows still wait to be confirmed. Open the official page before you pay anything.
- Stated state fees
- $604initial fees across 4 of 9 items
- Free items
- 3no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 9in 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 business certificate New York Department of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales tax Certificate of Authority New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Certificate of occupancy or letter of no objection Your city or town building department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food service establishment permit New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Premium only Food Protection Certificate for the supervisor on duty New York City Department of Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee On-premises liquor, wine or beer license New York State Liquor Authority Premium only Alcohol Training Awareness Program (ATAP) for staff New York State Liquor Authority certified schools Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Employer registration for unemployment insurance and withholding (NYS-100) New York State Department of Labor 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
Department of State LLC formation, publication and assumed name pages; New York County Clerk business certificate fees; IRS EIN page; Tax Department bulletin, how to register for New York State sales tax; NYC Department of Buildings certificate of occupancy and letter of no objection pages; NYC Health Department restaurants and food service establishments page; NYC311; NYC Health Department food protection course pages; Health Code chapter 21; State Liquor Authority restaurant and tavern license quick references and schedule of retail license fees; State Liquor Authority certified ATAP schools page and retailer guidance; Department of Labor register for unemployment insurance page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.