Who needs an on-sale intoxicating liquor license, or on-sale wine license in Minnesota?

Issued by Your city council (issuing authority), with approval by the Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.

6 of the 20 kinds of business in Minnesota

Apply to the city with the lease, the floor plan, the owners’ disclosures and proof of liquor liability insurance; the city holds a public hearing, approves, then sends the license to the state for approval. A restaurant with at least 25 seats may hold the cheaper wine license, which also allows strong beer with a 3.2 malt liquor license. A city must give 30 days’ notice before raising a fee.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 5 of 6: Alcohol permits

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your city council (issuing authority), with approval by the Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division.

Sources and dates

Minn. Stat. 340A.404 (on-sale licenses), 340A.408 (retail license fees) and 340A.413 (number of licenses); city liquor ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.