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Liquor License — Consumption on Premises–Incidental Activity (COP): Chicago restaurant guide

Chicago BACP — Local Liquor Control Commission

What it is

The city liquor license for restaurants, where alcohol is incidental or secondary to food.

When a restaurant needs it

Any restaurant serving beer, wine or spirits.

How to apply

Meet a BACP Hospitality Business Consultant, pass zoning review with floor and site plans, pay to set your application date, submit all required documents within 30 days, complete fingerprinting and Health/Fire/Buildings inspections, and wait out the 35-day public comment period.

Documents you’ll need

Business Information Sheet
Floor plan and site plan
Fingerprints of each 5%+ owner, officers and managers
Lease
Liquor liability (dram shop) insurance
Retail Food license application

Fee

$4,400 + $40 publication fee (2-year license)

Processing time

As early as 36 days from payment; a decision within 60 days of complete documents

Renewal

Every 2 years

Who files

The applicant entity files; a liquor attorney or licensed expediter commonly assists.

Good to know

The COP class has no moratorium for restaurants, but the 100-foot rule (schools, churches, hospitals, homes for the aged, libraries) and dry precincts still apply. All City debt must be paid before issuance.

Official source

BACP — steps in the liquor license process · BACP — classes of liquor licenses

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