Who needs a Class B victualler (BV) or tavern liquor license in Rhode Island?
Issued by Your city or town licensing board, with the Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing (Liquor Enforcement), at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.
Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval. The board advertises the application, holds a hearing and takes objections from neighbors. A Class BV must be a licensed victualler serving food; a tavern license is for a bar without full food service, and the Division of Taxation issues a certificate of good standing each year before renewal.
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 Your city or town licensing board, with the Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing (Liquor Enforcement).
Sources and dates
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. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval.
Yes. Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval.
Yes. Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval.
Yes. Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval.
Yes. Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval.
Yes. Rhode Island has no statewide population quota; each city or town fixes its own cap on Class B licenses under 3-5-16, and where the cap is full a license changes hands by transfer with the board’s approval.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Rhode Island it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Your city or town licensing board, with the Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing (Liquor Enforcement).
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 Class B victualler in Rhode Island? | DoorWorthy
