Who needs a liquor by the drink (LBD) restaurant license in Tennessee?
Issued by Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, with a certificate of compliance from your city or county, at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.
No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing. A restaurant license needs seating for at least 40 at tables and regular meal service; a bar whose food sales fall short applies for the limited service restaurant license on the same fee page. Apply through the RLPS portal with the certificate of compliance, the lease, the floor plan and the owners’ disclosures. Every server and bartender holds a TABC server permit within 61 days of hire, after a certified alcohol awareness course; permits issued since January 1, 2025 run two years.
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 Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, with a certificate of compliance from your city or county.
Sources and dates
Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission fees page and restaurant LBD license page; Tennessee Code 57-4-301. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing.
Yes. No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing.
Yes. No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing.
Yes. No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing.
Yes. No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing.
Yes. No quota: the license goes to any qualifying premises, but only in a city or county that has approved liquor by the drink by referendum, so check the local option before signing.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, with a certificate of compliance from your city or county.
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 liquor by the drink (LBD) restaurant license in Tennessee?
