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How to Get a Retail alcohol License in Connecticut (2026)

Quick answer

Common on-premises permits include Restaurant, Restaurant Wine and Beer, and Café-Bar.

Renewal

All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Division
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Liquor Control Division
    Official source
  2. Check your qualifications

    Education

    New off-premises applicants must complete the Liquor Law Education Program and submit the certificate through eLicense.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    New applicants must complete our Liquor Law Education Program. Once completed, applicants must submit a PDF of their certificate to eLicense.
    Official source
  3. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    How do I apply for an off-premises liquor permit?
    Official source
  4. Confirm your next step with the agency

    Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.

    Open the official agency page

What else should I know?

Agency guidance

Common on-premises permits include Restaurant, Restaurant Wine and Beer, and Café-Bar.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
the most common type of on-premises permits are the Restaurant Permit, the Restaurant Wine and Beer Permit, and the Café-Bar Permit.
Official source

Agency guidance

Off-premises business types include Package Store, Grocery Store Beer, Gift Basket Retailer and Off-Premises Caterer.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The four permit types are Package Store, Grocery Store Beer, Gift Basket Retailer, and Off-Premises Caterer.
Official source

Agency guidance

The application fee is included in the permit fee, rather than charged on top of it.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The application fee is built into the permit fee
Official source

Agency guidance

We only accept online renewals.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
We only accept online renewals.
Official source

Agency guidance

Full-year on-premises fees: Restaurant Full Liquor $1,450; Restaurant Wine and Beer Only $700; Café–Bar Liquor $2,000. The listed amounts include the $100 nonrefundable application fee.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
All fees below include a $100 nonrefundable application fee. Permit Type | Full Year | Six Months Café – Bar Liquor | $2000 | $1,333.33 Restaurant – Full Liquor | $1450 | $966.67 Restaurant – Wine and Beer Only | $700 | $466.67
Official source

Agency guidance

The full-year Package Store permit is $535, including the $100 nonrefundable application fee. Six-month permits have a separate rate.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
All fees below include a $100 nonrefundable application fee. Permit Type Full Year Six Months Package Store $535 $356.67
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Renewal

All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.
Official source

Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.

What does it cost?

Application fee

$100

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The non-refundable application fee is $100
Official source

Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a retail alcohol license license in Connecticut?

All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.

Source and quotation
All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (12)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Board

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division

Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Division
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/liquor-control/off-premises-permits

Liquor Control Division
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/knowledge-base/articles/liquor-control/2026/applications-and-licensing/off-premises-permit/off-premises-application-process

How do I apply for an off-premises liquor permit?
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Fees / Application

$100

100

The non-refundable application fee is $100
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.

All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance. Applies to: Liquor permits; online renewal is required.

All liquor permits are renewed annually, running from date of issuance.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Education

New off-premises applicants must complete the Liquor Law Education Program and submit the certificate through eLicense.

New off-premises applicants must complete the Liquor Law Education Program and submit the certificate through eLicense.

New applicants must complete our Liquor Law Education Program. Once completed, applicants must submit a PDF of their certificate to eLicense.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Common on-premises permits include Restaurant, Restaurant Wine and Beer, and Café-Bar.

Common on-premises permits include Restaurant, Restaurant Wine and Beer, and Café-Bar.

the most common type of on-premises permits are the Restaurant Permit, the Restaurant Wine and Beer Permit, and the Café-Bar Permit.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Off-premises business types include Package Store, Grocery Store Beer, Gift Basket Retailer and Off-Premises Caterer.

Off-premises business types include Package Store, Grocery Store Beer, Gift Basket Retailer and Off-Premises Caterer.

The four permit types are Package Store, Grocery Store Beer, Gift Basket Retailer, and Off-Premises Caterer.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

The application fee is included in the permit fee, rather than charged on top of it.

The application fee is included in the permit fee, rather than charged on top of it.

The application fee is built into the permit fee
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

We only accept online renewals.

Renewals must be submitted online. Instructions: https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/knowledge-base/articles/liquor-control/2026/current-permit-holders/renewals

We only accept online renewals.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Full-year on-premises fees: Restaurant Full Liquor $1,450; Restaurant Wine and Beer Only $700; Café–Bar Liquor $2,000. The listed amounts include the $100 nonrefundable application fee.

Full-year on-premises fees: Restaurant Full Liquor $1,450; Restaurant Wine and Beer Only $700; Café–Bar Liquor $2,000. The listed amounts include the $100 nonrefundable application fee.

All fees below include a $100 nonrefundable application fee. Permit Type | Full Year | Six Months Café – Bar Liquor | $2000 | $1,333.33 Restaurant – Full Liquor | $1450 | $966.67 Restaurant – Wine and Beer Only | $700 | $466.67
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

The full-year Package Store permit is $535, including the $100 nonrefundable application fee. Six-month permits have a separate rate.

The full-year Package Store permit is $535, including the $100 nonrefundable application fee. Six-month permits have a separate rate.

All fees below include a $100 nonrefundable application fee. Permit Type Full Year Six Months Package Store $535 $356.67
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, continuing education — see the official agency.

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Following: How to Get a Retail alcohol License in Connecticut (2026)

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What should I explore next?

Retail alcohol license in neighboring states

Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (7)

Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.