The agencies state $31,590 in initial fees across 7 of the 11 items; 1 are free; 3 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 Rhode Island?
$31,590 in state fees the agencies state, across 7 of the 11 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 3 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 Rhode Island
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $31,590initial fees across 7 of 11 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 3by 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 Articles of organization (LLC) and the annual report Rhode Island Department of State Premium only Trade name registration (DBA) Rhode Island Department of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales tax permit and withholding registration Rhode Island Division of Taxation Premium only City or town business registration or license Your city or town clerk or licensing board Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning certificate, building permits and certificate of occupancy Your city or town zoning enforcement officer and building official Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Victualling license Your city or town licensing board Premium only Food establishment license Rhode Island Department of Health Premium only Certified food safety manager Rhode Island Department of Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Class B victualler (BV) or tavern liquor license Your city or town licensing board Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, TDI withholding, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training 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
Department of State articles of organization (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-16-6) and LLC annual report form 632 (revised March 2026); Department of State trade name registration page and online filing guide; R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-1 as amended for 2026; IRS EIN page; Division of Taxation sales tax permit guidance (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-19-1); form BAR; RI.gov business assistant; municipal licensing ordinances; R.I. Gen. Laws 45-24-31 (zoning certificate); municipal building and zoning offices; R.I. Gen. Laws 5-24-1; municipal victualling license pages (North Providence, Barrington, Lincoln, New Shoreham); 216-RICR-10-05-2.11 (Department of Health food protection fees); Center for Food Protection new food establishment page and food service application; Rhode Island Food Code (216-RICR-50-10-1); Rhode Island Food Code 216-RICR-50-10-1 (effective January 2025); Department of Health rules on certification of managers in food safety; R.I. Gen. Laws 3-7-7 and 3-5-16; Department of Business Regulation municipal retail license information sheet; Johnston, North Providence, Barrington and Providence licensing pages; Department of Labor and Training 2026 unemployment and TDI rate release; Employer Tax Unit pages; R.I. Gen. Laws 28-29-6 and 15-24-2. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.