The agencies state $10,437 in initial fees across 8 of the 10 items; 2 are free. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a wine bar in District of Columbia?
$10,437 in state fees the agencies state, across 8 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 are free. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a wine bar in District of Columbia
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $10,437initial fees across 8 of 10 items
- Free items
- 2no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 0by 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 biennial report Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Premium only Trade name registration (DBA) Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Combined business tax registration (FR-500): sales and use tax, withholding Office of Tax and Revenue Free Basic Business License (BBL) Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Certificate of occupancy or home occupation permit Department of Buildings Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment license (Food Services BBL with DC Health inspection) DC Health Premium only Certified food protection manager (DC Health CFPM card) DC Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Retailer’s license class C: restaurant (CR), tavern (CT) or nightclub (CN) Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance and paid family leave accounts, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Department of Employment Services 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
DLCP Corporations Division fee schedule for limited liability companies; DLCP biennial report pages; DLCP Corporations Division fees page; D.C. Code 47-2855.02; IRS EIN page; Office of Tax and Revenue FR-500 registration instructions and sales and use tax pages; DLCP license and corporate filing fee summary; DLCP BEST Act pages (D.C. Code 47-2851); Department of Buildings certificate of occupancy pages (use change, new business and occupant load change guides); DOB home occupation permit page; DC Health food establishment and inspection pages (25-A DCMR, the District food code); DLCP Food Services category page; DC Health certified food protection manager pages and list of accepted exam organizations; 25-A DCMR 203; ABCA license fee and renewal schedule; D.C. Code 25-113 (on-premises retailer classes); ABCA new license application; DOES employer tax information and tax rate pages (2026); DOES Office of Paid Family Leave employer pages; DOES Office of Workers’ Compensation employer FAQ; D.C. Code 46-226.06. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.