ABL | Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License

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South Carolina Department of Revenue
Alcohol Beverage Licensing
PO Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214-0907

Phone: 803-898-5864

Email: ABL@dor.sc.gov

Report alcohol-related violations:

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
803-896-5591

Return to ABL license directory

Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License (PLB)

The Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License authorizes the sale of liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption. Only restaurants and places of lodging may hold this license.

License renewal

The Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License must be renewed every two years. The renewal date is based on the county where your business operates, not the date when you applied for or received your license. Learn more about the renewal schedule.

 This license does NOT authorize:

The sale or consumption of beer or wine
The distilling, brewing, fermenting, blending, or bottling of any beverage containing alcohol at the licensed location
Curbside sales or pickup, drive-through sales or pickup, or delivery of liquor to purchasers

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Application requirements and instructions

First, it's important for you to review the general ABL applicant requirements listed on the ABL license directory page.

When you’re ready to apply, we recommend submitting your application using our free online tax portal, MyDORWAY. It’s faster and easier than completing a paper application, and you don’t have to worry about mail processing or making a trip to one of our offices.

 Fees

Non-refundable filing fee: $200 (Due at the time your application is submitted)
License fee: $1,705 (Due every two years with license renewal)

You must pay a prorated amount of the license fee after your Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License application has been approved by the SCDOR.

License requirements 

You must first have a valid South Carolina Retail License. If you have not yet applied for a Retail License, get started here.
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 copy of the lease, deed, writing from a local municipality, 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.

Restaurant requirements

Your business must be primarily engaged in the preparation and serving of meals.
Your business must have seating for at least 40 people simultaneously, available in all types of weather, at tables for the service of meals each day it is open for business.
Your business must have a kitchen that is in a separate area of the business and that is used solely for the preparation and serving of solid foods that make up meals.
Your kitchen must have a working fixed grill, stove, or microwave oven.
Your kitchen must have a functioning cold storage unit with a minimum of 21 cubic feet capacity.
Your restaurant must have a menu or sign listing the meals offered at your place of business. A conceptual or prospective menu is not enough to meet this requirement. You must feature an official and current menu which states all of the available meals clearly.
You must have adequate food on the premises of your business to serve 40 people a hot meal. (Prepackaged single portioned foods prepared off the premises will not count as adequate food). You must have (or plan to have by the time you open for business) hot meals available during normal mealtimes, which occur when your business plans to be open to the public.
The bar area used for storing and dispensing liquor by the drink must be lighted (or plan to be lighted by the time you open for business) so that customers have a clear view of all activities taking place in the bar area.
Your restaurant must have a Grade A Restaurant License issued by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Before the SCDOR will issue your Liquor by the Drink License, you must submit a copy of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture inspection form showing that the Grade A Restaurant License has been issued.
You are required to maintain functioning, sanitary restrooms available for patrons of your business during all hours of operation.
If you are selling liquor by the drink, you are required to collect and pay the 5% Liquor by the Drink Excise Tax. Upon completion of the permit registration process, you will receive an information packet that includes the Liquor by the Drink return and instructions on how to collect and pay Liquor by the Drink Excise Tax.

Place of lodging requirements

Required forms

Required signs and notices

See information for licensing watercraft (boats, vessels, and ships) in our FAQs below.

120-Day Temporary License

If you have assumed control of a business that sells beer and wine under a valid Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License, you must apply for your own permit. While your application is being considered by the SCDOR, you can apply for a 120-day temporary license. You must apply for the 120-day temporary license at the same time you submit the application for the permanent license. This license allows you to continue selling beer and wine for 120 days or until your permanent license application is processed, whichever is sooner. Extensions of the 120 day period will not be granted.

General requirements for the 120-day temporary license

Frequently asked questions

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

Does bar seating count toward the requirement that my restaurant must provide seating for at least 40 people simultaneously at tables for the service of meals each day it is open for business?

Am I permitted to have liquor in any size bottle on my premises?

Does my Liquor by the Drink License authorize me the sale of sealed or unsealed bottles of liquor to my customers?

Am I permitted to offer bottle service of liquor?

Can watercraft (boats, vessels, or ships) apply for the Business Liquor by the Drink License?

Yes.

While no statute exists in Title 61 of the South Carolina Code of Laws addressing the permitting of a watercraft for the sale, possession, and on-premises consumption of alcoholic liquors, the SCDOR considers a watercraft as the licensed premises and a floating restaurant. In order to license a watercraft as a restaurant the entity must be a business primarily engaged in the preparation and serving of meals. SC Constitution Article 8-A and SC Code Sections 61-6-20(2) and 61-6-1610(A)(1). The licensed premises does not extend beyond the watercraft itself. The dock, land or lot, or outbuildings are not included in the licensed premises for watercraft. S.C. Code of Regulations 7-202.1.

The following requirements must be met to qualify as a business primarily engaged in the preparation and serving of meals:

Must have seating for at least 40 people simultaneously at tables for the service of meals each day it is open for business. SC Code Section §61-6-20(2).
Must have a kitchen that is in a separate area used solely for the preparation and serving of solid foods that make up meals. SC Code Sections 61-6-20(2)(a) and 61-6-1610(I)(1).
Kitchen must have a working fixed grill, stove or microwave oven. SC Code Section 61-6-1610(I)(1).
Must have a functioning cold storage unit with a minimum of 21 cubic feet capacity. SC Code Section 61-6-1610(I)(1)
Must have a menu or sign listing the meals offered at your place of business. SC Code Section §61-6-20(2)(b).
Must have adequate supply of food and types of prepared foods on the premises of the business. SC Code Sections 61-6-1610(I)(2) and (3).
Must have a Grade A Restaurant license issued by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. SC Code Section 61-6-1610(H).

Additional requirements necessary to license a watercraft for the sale, possession, and on-premises consumption of alcoholic liquors:

Must provide an address, boat slip number, and name of boat to be licensed as the premises. The entity seeking a license must have direct control of the watercraft where they will conduct business. SC Code of Regulations 7-202.1.
Must have functioning restroom available for use by customers in order to meet requirements for suitability. SC Code Section 61-6-910(2).
Must provide a designated route of travel in order to meet requirements for suitability. SC Code Section 61-6-910(2).
Route of travel must not venture into waters of another state or jurisdiction. This is beyond the authority of the Department of Revenue.

Related SC Code of Laws

SC Code Section 61-6-120 – Outlines proximity to church, school, or playground requirements
SC Code Section 61-6-130 – Restricts number of licensees per household
SC Code Section 61-6-1610 – Outlines restaurants and places of lodging
SC Code Section 61-6-1620 – Outlines possessions and consumption on premises open to the public
SC Code Section 61-6-1636 – Outlines purchase and sale of alcoholic liquors by the drink
SC Code Section 61-6-4060 – Prohibits liquor storage in unlicensed business
SC Code Section 61-6-4710 – Outlines lawful possession and consumption of liquor

Business (Restaurant & Hotel) Liquor by the ​Drink License (PLB)

License renewal

​Application requirements and instructions​

​​ Restaurant requirements​​​​​​

​ Place of lodging​ requirements​​​​

​ Required forms​​​​​​​​

​ ​Required signs an​d notices​​​

​120-Day Temporary License

​ General ​​​requirements for the 120-day temporary license​​