Alcohol is a county by county local option. In a wet county a restaurant with a kitchen applies for the mixed drink permit (or the beer and wine permit) through the ABC Division with the lease, the floor plan and the owners’ background checks, and the Director rules after the notice period. In a dry county the only route is the private club permit under Arkansas Code 3-9-222, which is more expensive and carries its own rules. Bars without food sales are rare under Arkansas law; most hold a restaurant or private club permit. Ask the ABC Division (501-682-1105) for the current fee for your permit type and whether the 2025 private club changes apply to your county before signing a lease.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 5 of 6: Alcohol permits
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (DFA).
Sources and dates
Arkansas Code 3-9-212 and 3-9-221 to 3-9-225; ABC Division rules and FAQ; municipal permit fee ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. Alcohol is a county by county local option.
Yes. Alcohol is a county by county local option.
Yes. Alcohol is a county by county local option.
Yes. Alcohol is a county by county local option.
Yes. Alcohol is a county by county local option.
Yes. Alcohol is a county by county local option.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Arkansas it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (DFA).
Step 5 of 6, alcohol permits. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax, approve the space and get the permits for your kind of business.
Who needs a restaurant mixed drink permit in Arkansas? | DoorWorthy
