TABC Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG): Austin restaurant guide

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

What it is

On-premise permit for beer and wine (no spirits) — the right permit for a beer-and-wine restaurant or café. Includes off-premise (to-go) sales of beer and wine without a food requirement. Requires a $5,000 conduct surety bond unless you add a Food and Beverage Certificate.

When a restaurant needs it

Beer-and-wine-only service.

How to apply

Same AIMS process as the MB: 60-day sign (if required), City/County/Comptroller certifications, bond unless FB, then submit in AIMS.

Documents you’ll need

AIMS application and entity documents
Lease
City and County certifications
Comptroller certification
Conduct surety bond unless FB

Fee

$1,900 (TABC two-year fee chart effective 9/1/21); the city/county may add a local fee (TABC chart: up to $175 in most counties)

Processing time

30–35 days after a complete application

Renewal

Every 2 years

Who files

The applicant entity files in AIMS, often via a licensing consultant.

Good to know

No newspaper notice is required for a BG (only the 60-day sign if the site wasn't licensed for on-premise consumption in the past two years). Travis County's TABC fee table shows the maximum local BG fee as $175 for the two-year period. A BG holder cannot get a Caterer's Permit and pays ordinary sales tax (not the mixed-beverage taxes).

Official source

TABC — license and permit types · TABC — two-year licensing fees (eff. 9/1/21)

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.