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

Virginia ABC.

Virginia ABC.

Virginia ABC

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/retail-licenses

Retail Licenses

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/retail-licenses

To apply or learn more about specific licenses, use the following links.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Retail licenses cover sales/service of wine, beer and mixed beverages at restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, grocery stores and other establishments.

Retail licenses cover sales/service of wine, beer and mixed beverages at restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, grocery stores and other establishments.

Retail licenses allow for the serving and sale of wine, beer and mixed beverages at restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, grocery stores and other establishments.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Virginia ABC offers manager, seller/server and delivery-driver responsibility training.

Virginia ABC offers manager, seller/server and delivery-driver responsibility training.

we offer three licensee responsibility courses — Managers’ Alcohol Responsibility Training (MART), Responsible Alcohol Delivery Driver (RADD), and Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia’s Program (RSVP)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Mixed beverage restaurant licenses cover mixed beverages for on-premises or off-premises consumption; restaurants must satisfy the Board's food-to-beverage ratio rules.

Mixed beverage restaurant licenses cover mixed beverages for on-premises or off-premises consumption; restaurants must satisfy the Board's food-to-beverage ratio rules.

Mixed beverage restaurant licenses, which shall authorize the licensee to sell and serve mixed beverages for on-premises consumption in dining areas and other designated areas of such restaurant or off-premises consumption. Such license may be granted only to persons who operate a restaurant that complies with the food-to-beverage ratio provisions set by Board regulation

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Retail off-premises wine and beer licenses are available to the listed qualifying stores and authorize wine and beer in closed containers for off-premises consumption.

Retail off-premises wine and beer licenses are available to the listed qualifying stores and authorize wine and beer in closed containers for off-premises consumption.

Retail off-premises wine and beer licenses, which may be granted to a convenience grocery store, delicatessen, drugstore, gift shop, gourmet oyster house, gourmet shop, grocery store, or marina store Such license shall authorize the licensee to sell wine and beer in closed containers for off-premises consumption

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The Board may grant a one-year or multiyear license, up to three years, subject to its eligibility criteria.

The Board may grant a one-year or multiyear license, up to three years, subject to its eligibility criteria.

The Board may grant licenses for one year or for multiple years, not to exceed three years, based on the fees set forth in Qualification for a multiyear license shall be determined on the basis of criteria established by the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Most licenses run to the last day of the twelfth month or their designated expiration month and year, unless terminated sooner. Temporary, banquet and mixed-beverage special-event licenses are exceptions.

The privileges conferred by any license granted by the Board, except for temporary licenses, banquet and mixed beverage special events licenses, shall continue until the last day of the twelfth month next ensuing or the last day of the designated month and year of expiration, except the license may be sooner terminated for any cause for which the Board would be entitled to refuse to grant a license, by operation of law, voluntary surrender or order of the Board. Applies to: Virginia ABC licenses, with the quoted temporary and special-event exceptions.

The privileges conferred by any license granted by the Board, except for temporary licenses, banquet and mixed beverage special events licenses, shall continue until the last day of the twelfth month next ensuing or the last day of the designated month and year of expiration, except the license may be sooner terminated for any cause for which the Board would be entitled to refuse to grant a license, by operation of law, voluntary surrender or order of the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026