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It’s still us—just with a fresh new look! The SCDOR launched our redesigned website this week, and we hope you’ll take a look around. Take a virtual tour or read some quick tips!

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​​ Fees​

  • Non-refundable filing fee: $200 (Due at the time your application is submitted)
  • License fee: $1,700 (​Due every two years with li​cense renewal)
    • ​You must pay a prorated amount of the license fee after your Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink License application has been approved by the SCDOR.

License requirements

  • The organization applying for this License must:
    • Be a nonprofit association, organization or corporation chartered by the SC Secretary of State's Office.
    • Have a definite method of electing individual members to the organization. This method must be described in the club's bylaws and relate to the organization’s purpose.
    • Be maintained through the payment of membership dues.
    • Be managed by a board of directors, executive committee, or similar governing body chosen by the members at a regularly-held meeting on at least an annual basis.
    • Have no member or shareholder of the organization benefitting from the organization’s net earnings.
  • You must submit a completed Application​ for Retail Beer, Wine, and Liquor (ABL-901)​, including all supplemental forms. See Required Forms below for more information. We recommend applying on MyDORWAY, but if submitting a paper copy of the application, make sure it’s signed and dated.
  • You must have an advertisement run in an approved newspaper that notifies the public that you have applied for an alcohol license. See Required Signs & Notices below for more information.
  • You must submit a completed Nonprofit Private Club Affirmation (ABL-958), along with your organization’s bylaws – or a document substituting for bylaws – demonstrating your organization is a nonprofit.
  • You must submit a copy of the lease, deed, tax bill, or enforceable written contract that grants you the right to use and control the licensed premises. This document must designate the specific area of the premises that will be licensed. In addition, you may supplement this document by submitting a copy of the ABL Lease Supplemental Information form (ABL-977​).
  • No person may have direct or indirect ownership, influence, or financial interest in more than one of the following entities: a manufacturer, a distributor, or a retailer of beer or wine.

​​The fastest, easiest way to submit these forms and apply for a Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink License is by using our free online tax portal, MyDORWAY. After logging in, select the More tab, then click Apply for a New Alcohol Beverage License.​​

  • Application for Retail Beer, Wine, and Liquor​ (ABL-​9​01) – Select Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink (PLC)
  • Nonprofit Private Club Affirmation (ABL-958)
  • Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States – Applicant and Principals (ABL-920)
  • Applicant and Principal Consent and Waiver (ABL-946​)
    • ​​If you’re applying on MyDORWAY, the ABL-920 and ABL-946 are part of the normal application workflow. You do not need to submit or attach a paper copy of the ABL-920 or ABL-946 if applying on MyDORWAY.
  • ABL Lease Supplemental Information (ABL-977​)
    • If applying on MyDORWAY, scan and upload the ABL-977 as an attachment.​​

As part of the application process, you must notify the public of your application by running an advertisement in an approved newspaper.​ The SCDOR will notify SLED to post a sign at your business location.

SLED sign posting

  • ​A SLED agent must post and remove a sign at the proposed place of business.
  • This sign must remain posted for at least 15 days and may be removed only by the SLED agent.
    • If the sign disappears before the SLED agent removes it, contact the SCDOR or SLED immediately.

Newspaper legal advertisement 

  • You are required to notify the public of ​your application by placing a legal advertisement in an SCDOR-approved newspaper for your area at least once a week for three consecutive weeks.
    • See the ​Approved Newspapers for ABL Legal Advertisements list (​ABL-32)​.
      • ​If you submit your legal advertisement in a non-approved newspaper, you will be required to re-run an advertisement in an approved newspaper.
  • The legal advertisement must:
    • state the type of license applied for and the exact location of the proposed business
    • be posted in the legal notices section of the approved newspaper, or an equivalent section if the newspaper has no legal notices section
    • be in large type and cover a space of one column wide and at least two inches deep
  • You must submit an Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper running the legal advertisement.
    • If the newspaper does not submit the Affidavit of Publication on ​your behalf, you can attach the affidavit as part of the application on MyDORWAY.
    • The affidavit must include a copy of the advertisement.
    • The SCDOR will not issue your license until we receive an affidavit from an approved newspaper.

Frequently asked questions

Review the FAQs below for answers to frequently asked questions about the Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink License. Our Liquor and ​Operating an ABL Business​​ pages ​have ​additional helpful information.​

No, Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink License holders may not open their locations to the general public.

No, Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink License holders do not have to meet the restaurant requirements outlining the preparation and serving of meals, seating, and kitchen areas.

No.

No. Liquor may not be removed from the premises by a consumer.

No, the law specifically states that liquor by the drink locations may not have liquor in 1.75 liter bottles on the premises. Liquor by the drink locations may have liquor in any other size container.

No, your license only authorizes you to sell liquor by the drink. You cannot sell it by the bottle, sealed or unsealed. Liquor may not be removed from the premises by a consumer.

Mailing address:

South Carolina Department of Revenue | Alcohol Beverage Licensing | PO Box 125 | Columbia, SC 292​14-0907