Arkansas Liquor License Guide: Costs, Types, and How to Apply

Arkansas has one of the most complex alcohol licensing systems in the country — and cost is just the beginning. Your location’s wet or dry status (which is determined at both the county AND township level) determines what you can sell and sometimes whether you can sell at all. A Retail Liquor permit — the most valuable license for a spirits package store — can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars in a standard wet area to several thousand on the secondary market if you’re buying from someone else in a newly licensed county. The state also issues permits through lottery in certain high-demand areas, which adds another layer of scarcity and cost. But even before cost comes the most important question: Is your location wet or dry?

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC) issues all alcohol permits statewide. However, licensing is not a simple state-level process — you also need wet status at your specific county AND township to sell alcohol at all (with one major exception: Private Clubs, which can operate in dry areas). All permits expire on the same day every year: June 30. There is no searchable license database, which means verification and research require direct contact with the ABC or a FOIA request.

This guide walks you through the permit types that match what you’re trying to do — whether you’re opening a bar, a package store, a brewery, hosting an event, or finding a way to serve alcohol in a dry area. Each section explains what the license allows, who qualifies, how to apply, and what it actually costs.

[INFOGRAPHIC: Arkansas Wet/Dry Map — County and Township Determination]

Selling Alcohol to Customers: Bars, Restaurants, and Stores

You want to open a bar, restaurant, or package store and sell alcohol to customers on-site or for takeaway. Your first step is always the same: verify that your location is in a wet county and a wet township. If you’re in a dry area, see the Private Club section below — it’s the legal way forward.

Restaurant Mixed Drink Maximum

This license allows you to serve a full bar (spirits, beer, and wine) in a restaurant setting, on-premise only — meaning customers drink it at your location. “Mixed Drink Maximum” refers to a cap on the percentage of your revenue that can come from alcohol; the rest must come from food sales.

What it allows:
– Full bar service: spirits, beer, wine
– On-premise consumption only
– Alcohol revenue is capped at a maximum percentage of total revenue (the remainder must be food)

Who typically qualifies:
– Restaurants with a kitchen and food service
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– You must meet the food revenue threshold (the ABC will explain the exact ratio when you apply)

How to apply:
– Contact the Arkansas ABC directly at 501-682-1105 or email abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov to request an application packet
– The ABC will determine your location’s wet/dry status and which permit types fit your business
– Submit the completed application with proof of ownership/lease, floor plan, and menu
– Attend an ABC educational seminar (required before permit issuance)
– Wait for ABC Board approval (board meets the third Wednesday of each month)

What it costs:
The state summary does not specify the exact fee for this permit type. Contact the ABC at the number above or check dfa.arkansas.gov/office/alcohol-beverage-control/ for the current fee schedule.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary. The ABC educational seminar requirement adds processing time, but the exact timeline depends on application completeness and board meeting schedules. The ABC publishes current processing information on its website.

Popularity: Several thousand restaurants across Arkansas hold on-premise permits; Restaurant Mixed Drink is one of the most common categories.

Restaurant Mixed Drink Minimum

This license also allows a full bar (spirits, beer, and wine) in a restaurant, on-premise only. The difference from “Maximum” is the food revenue requirement: “Minimum” typically means a lower food revenue threshold — you can make proportionally more from alcohol sales.

What it allows:
– Full bar service: spirits, beer, wine
– On-premise consumption only
– Alcohol revenue has a minimum food-revenue requirement (lower than “Maximum”), allowing higher alcohol revenue proportion

Who typically qualifies:
– Restaurants and bars with food service
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– You must meet a lower food revenue floor than the “Maximum” version

How to apply:
– Contact the Arkansas ABC at 501-682-1105 or email abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Request an application and confirm your location’s wet/dry status
– Submit application with proof of ownership/lease, floor plan, and menu
– Attend the required ABC educational seminar
– Wait for ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the current fee schedule; it is not specified in the publicly available summary.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; factor in the ABC educational seminar requirement and monthly board meeting schedules.

Restaurant Beer & Wine

This license allows you to serve beer and wine only (no spirits) in a restaurant setting, on-premise. This is a popular middle-ground for restaurants that don’t need a full bar.

What it allows:
– Beer and wine only; no spirits
– On-premise consumption only
– Food service required

Who typically qualifies:
– Restaurants and casual dining establishments
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– Food service is required

How to apply:
– Contact the Arkansas ABC at 501-682-1105 or email abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Request an application and verify your location’s wet/dry status
– Submit application with ownership/lease proof, floor plan, and menu
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the current fee; it is typically lower than a full-bar permit.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; plan for the ABC seminar requirement and monthly board meetings.

Retail Liquor

This is the premium package-store license — you can sell spirits, beer, and wine for off-premise consumption (customers take it home or to an event). Important: This permit is scarce and in high demand in rapidly growing areas. In October 2025, Arkansas held a lottery for new Retail Liquor permits in Benton, Saline, and Washington counties (northwest Arkansas) following successful local wet elections. This demonstrates that new permits are often issued by lottery in newly wet areas, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

What it allows:
– Full spirits, beer, and wine retail (packaged, for off-premise consumption)
– You run a package store, bottle shop, or spirits retailer
– Only available in wet counties (wet township status also required)

Who typically qualifies:
– Retail business operators with a suitable location
– Must be in a wet county and wet township
– In newly wet counties (Benton, Saline, Washington), permits are issued by lottery; you cannot simply apply for one

How to apply:
– First, verify wet status: Contact the county clerk or call the ABC at 501-682-1105 to confirm your location is in a wet county and wet township
– In areas with an active lottery: Monitor dfa.arkansas.gov/office/alcohol-beverage-control/ for lottery announcements. If a lottery is open, you must enter and win to proceed
– In standard wet areas without a lottery: Contact the ABC to request an application
– Submit your application, proof of ownership/lease, and floor plan
– Attend the required ABC educational seminar
– Wait for ABC Board approval

What it costs:
The exact fee is not specified in publicly available sources. In the secondary market (buying an existing permit from another owner), costs can be substantial — several thousand dollars or more — depending on the location’s desirability and demand. Contact the ABC for the state fee; negotiate separately if you’re buying an existing permit from another licensee.

How long it takes:
If a lottery is active, the lottery period (typically several weeks) is the main timeline. Once you apply (or win the lottery and apply), plan for the ABC seminar and board approval process.

Why this matters: Retail Liquor permits are the most valuable and scarce alcohol licenses in Arkansas. In high-growth areas like Benton and Washington counties, the state uses lotteries to allocate new permits fairly rather than awarding them on a first-come basis. If you’re planning a package store in northwest Arkansas, watch the ABC website closely for lottery openings.

Retail Beer Off Premises

This license allows you to sell beer only (no wine, no spirits) for off-premise consumption. It’s a simpler, narrower license than Retail Liquor — useful if you want to focus on beer or if local restrictions limit your options.

What it allows:
– Beer only; packaged for off-premise consumption (customers take it away)
– You can operate a beer-focused retail shop or add beer sales to another business

Who typically qualifies:
– Retail operators in wet counties and wet townships
– May be easier to obtain than a full Retail Liquor license in some areas

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Verify your location’s wet/dry status
– Request an application and submit with ownership/lease proof and floor plan
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the current fee schedule.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; plan for the educational seminar and monthly board meetings.

Grocery Store Wine

This permit allows grocery stores, convenience stores, and similar retail operations to sell wine (but not spirits or beer) from their shelves. It’s designed for high-traffic retail locations where wine sales are an add-on, not the primary business.

What it allows:
– Wine only; packaged for off-premise consumption
– Sold in a grocery, convenience store, or similar retail setting

Who typically qualifies:
– Existing grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– The business must primarily be retail (not a wine bar or restaurant)

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC to request an application
– Submit proof of your retail business license, floor plan, and location verification
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; it is typically modest compared to a full package-store license.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; plan for the seminar requirement and board meeting schedule.

Private Club Class A / Class B (Wet & Dry County Variants)

This is Arkansas’s answer to selling alcohol in a dry county or dry township. A Private Club can serve alcohol to members in an area where retail sales are otherwise prohibited. Until 2025, private clubs had to maintain 501(c)(3) nonprofit status — a major restriction. ACT 762 (effective 2025) removed the nonprofit requirement, opening private club licensing to for-profit businesses. This is a significant change: you can now structure a membership-based business to serve alcohol in a dry area legally.

What it allows:
– Full bar service (spirits, beer, wine) to club members
– On-premise consumption only
– Can operate in dry counties and dry townships where retail licenses are not available
– Members-only model (not open to the public without membership)

Who typically qualifies:
– Any business can now operate as a private club (nonprofit status no longer required as of 2025)
– Must meet membership and governance requirements (typically written bylaws, membership fees or dues)
– Class A and Class B have slightly different membership and revenue structures; the ABC will specify which applies to your situation
– Dry county or dry township? A private club is your primary path to serving alcohol

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov to discuss private club structure
– Prepare bylaws, membership terms, and governance documents
– Submit an application with proof of ownership/lease and your membership and governance plan
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; private club fees are typically comparable to on-premise permits.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; legal structuring of the membership model and governance adds some complexity, but no more than a standard on-premise application.

Why this matters: ACT 762 (2025) is a game-changer for dry-county operators. Before, you had to maintain nonprofit status — a bureaucratic and legal burden. Now, you can operate a private club as a regular for-profit business. If you’re in a dry area, a private club is your legal option. An attorney experienced in Arkansas club structures is worth the investment here — the membership and governance requirements must be documented correctly, and the rules differ from state to state.

The complexity here is real, but it’s manageable. The hardest part of opening a retail alcohol business in Arkansas is verifying wet/dry status and understanding the locality-specific rules — especially in mixed wet/dry counties like Benton, Washington, and Saline, where the patchwork varies block by block. If you’re in a newly wet area, you may face a lottery system. If you’re in a dry area and considering a private club, the 2025 changes open new options, but the membership structure and governance must be set up correctly from the start.

A liquor license attorney handles this regularly — especially the dry-county workaround and the wet/dry patchwork verification. [SPONSOR CTA]

Making Alcohol: Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries

You want to produce alcohol — brewing beer, making wine, or distilling spirits — and sell it, either on-site to customers or through wholesale. Arkansas has several permit types for producers, ranging from small farm wineries to full-scale breweries.

Small Brewery

This permit allows you to brew beer on-site and sell it on-premise (at a taproom attached to your brewery) and off-premise (packaged beer for retail sale or distribution). It’s the most common craft-brewery license in Arkansas.

What it allows:
– Beer production on-site
– On-premise taproom service (customers drink beer at your location)
– Off-premise packaged beer sales (cans, bottles, growlers for takeaway)
– May include limited food service (typically snacks; check with ABC)

Who typically qualifies:
– Brewery operators with production equipment and a location suitable for manufacturing
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township (for the taproom; some off-premise distribution may be possible in limited dry areas, but verify with ABC)
– Typically a business entity (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship)

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Describe your production setup, location, and taproom/retail plans
– Submit an application with proof of ownership/lease, production equipment details, and floor plan
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
The exact fee is not specified in publicly available sources. Contact the ABC for the current Small Brewery permit fee.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; plan for the educational seminar and monthly board meetings. Production-brewery permitting can take longer than retail-only due to facility inspection and production documentation requirements.

Popularity: Several hundred small breweries operate in Arkansas; craft brewing is active in the Ozarks and urban areas.

Microbrewery Restaurant

This is a hybrid license: you brew beer on-site AND operate a restaurant with a full bar (or beer/wine only). It combines production with on-premise food and beverage service.

What it allows:
– Beer production on-site
– Full restaurant with kitchen and food service
– On-premise bar (typically full bar: spirits, beer, wine — or beer/wine only; verify with ABC)
– Taproom service of your own beer plus other beverages
– Off-premise packaged beer sales

Who typically qualifies:
– Brewery operators who also want to run a full restaurant
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– Must have a commercial kitchen and food service capability
– Business entity (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship)

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Describe your brewery, restaurant concept, and menu
– Submit application with proof of ownership/lease, production details, kitchen layout, and floor plan
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; this permit is typically more expensive than a Small Brewery alone because it includes food service and a full on-premise bar.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; kitchen inspection and restaurant licensing add time beyond the brewery components.

Winery / Small Farm Winery

Arkansas has two winery permit types: Winery (for larger operations) and Small Farm Winery – Retail (for smaller producers, often agri-tourism focused). Both allow you to produce wine on-site and sell it on-premise and off-premise.

What it allows:
– Wine production on-site
– On-premise wine service (tasting room, by-the-glass service)
– Off-premise wine sales (bottles for takeaway)
– Small Farm Winery often includes agri-tourism elements (vineyard tours, events)

Who typically qualifies:
– Wine producers with production facilities and a location suitable for manufacturing
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township (for on-premise tasting room; production may be permitted in some dry areas — verify with ABC)
– Small Farm Winery: Arkansas-produced wine only; typically smaller operations
– Winery: broader scope; may include imported grapes or other wine-production models

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Describe your production capacity, vineyard/supply model, and tasting-room plans
– Submit application with proof of ownership/lease, production facility details, and floor plan
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee schedule. Small Farm Winery permits are typically lower-cost than full Winery permits.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; facility inspection for production equipment adds time.

Popularity: Small Farm Winery is one of the highest-volume permit types in Arkansas’s monthly change lists, reflecting strong agri-tourism activity in the Ozarks and River Valley wine regions.

Native Wine Retailer

This is a retail license specifically for Arkansas-produced wine only. It allows you to operate a wine shop focused on local Arkansas wines.

What it allows:
– Retail sales of Arkansas-produced wine only (no spirits, no beer)
– Off-premise consumption (customers take bottles home)
– May include tasting events or by-the-glass service (verify with ABC)

Who typically qualifies:
– Retail operators in wet counties and wet townships
– Must focus exclusively on Arkansas-produced wines
– Can be a standalone shop or part of an agri-tourism operation

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC to request an application
– Submit proof of ownership/lease, floor plan, and your supply chain for Arkansas wines
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; it is typically modest for a wine-retail-only license.

How long it takes:
Timelines vary; plan for the educational seminar and board approval process.

Distillery

Arkansas has few distilleries, but the permit exists for spirits production on-site. This is a specialized license with additional federal requirements (TTB — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau — permitting).

What it allows:
– Spirits (whiskey, vodka, gin, etc.) production on-site
– On-premise tasting room service (in wet areas)
– Off-premise bottled spirits sales

Who typically qualifies:
– Experienced distillery operators with production equipment and knowledge
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township (at minimum for the tasting room)
– Must also obtain federal TTB permits (a separate, complex federal process)

How to apply:
– Obtain federal TTB permits first (this is outside Arkansas’s scope but required)
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov to discuss Arkansas permits
– Submit application with proof of federal TTB approval, facility details, and production plan
– Attend the ABC educational seminar
– Await ABC Board approval

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the state fee. Federal TTB permits have separate fees and requirements.

How long it takes:
Federal TTB permitting typically takes 60–90 days or more; Arkansas permitting follows after federal approval.

The complexity in producer licensing centers on facility inspection and production documentation. Breweries and wineries need inspected production facilities, supply chains for ingredients, and detailed production plans. The ABC also requires all new permit holders to attend an educational seminar. If you’re pursuing a Distillery, the federal TTB permitting layer adds significant time and complexity.

A liquor license attorney is especially helpful if you’re navigating federal TTB requirements or structuring a complex operation like a Microbrewery Restaurant with food service. [SPONSOR CTA]

One-Time and Temporary Event Permits

You’re hosting an event — a festival, wedding, corporate function, or community gathering — and want to serve alcohol for a limited time. Arkansas offers several temporary and special-event permits designed exactly for this.

Temporary Beer

This is the most common temporary permit type in Arkansas — used for beer service at events, festivals, and one-time gatherings. The permit is temporary, meaning it’s issued for a specific date or short period, not ongoing.

What it allows:
– Beer service only; on-premise consumption at the event
– Temporary authorization for a single event or short event series
– Typically covers a specific date range

Who typically qualifies:
– Event organizers, nonprofits, community groups, for-profit event venues
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township (or may qualify in some dry areas for certain nonprofits — verify with ABC)
– Can be used for festivals, parties, fundraisers, etc.

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Provide event details: date, location, expected attendance, type of event, and any food service
– Submit a simple application (often just a form and event details)
– Typically approved within a few days to a week

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the temporary permit fee; it is typically modest — often $50–$200 depending on the event type and duration.

How long it takes:
Fast — typically 3–7 days. Temporary permits are designed for quick turnaround.

Popularity: Temporary Beer is the single highest-volume permit type issued by Arkansas ABC; hundreds are issued monthly for events statewide.

Temporary Liquor

This permit allows full bar service (spirits, beer, wine) for a temporary event — the full-strength version of Temporary Beer.

What it allows:
– Spirits, beer, and wine service; on-premise consumption at the event
– Temporary authorization for a specific date or event period
– Useful for upscale events, weddings, corporate functions

Who typically qualifies:
– Event organizers, venues, nonprofits, catering companies
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– Can be used for weddings, galas, corporate events, festivals, etc.

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Provide event details: date, location, expected attendance, event type, catering/food plans
– Submit the temporary application
– Typically approved within a few days

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; it is typically modest — often $100–$300 depending on scope and duration.

How long it takes:
Fast — typically 3–7 days.

Temporary Wine

This permit authorizes wine service only (no beer, no spirits) for a temporary event. Useful for wine tastings, agricultural events, and wine-focused functions.

What it allows:
– Wine service only; on-premise consumption at the event
– Temporary authorization for a specific event or date range

Who typically qualifies:
– Event organizers, wineries, vineyards, community events
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– Can be used for wine tastings, harvest festivals, educational events, etc.

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC
– Provide event details and submit the temporary application
– Typically approved within a few days

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; it is typically modest.

How long it takes:
Fast — typically 3–7 days.

Beer Festival Temporary

This is a specialized permit specifically for beer festivals. It allows beer service to a broad audience at a dedicated beer-festival event.

What it allows:
– Beer service at a beer festival
– Multiple vendors/breweries may operate under a single permit or multiple permits (verify with ABC)
– On-premise consumption at the festival

Who typically qualifies:
– Beer festival organizers, breweries hosting a festival event
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township
– Must be structured as a true festival event (multiple breweries/vendors, public event)

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC well in advance of your festival date
– Provide details: date, location, expected attendance, participating breweries, food plans
– Submit a Beer Festival Temporary application
– Approval typically takes 1–2 weeks (allow more time for larger festivals)

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; it may be higher than a single-event temporary permit if the festival is large.

How long it takes:
1–3 weeks, depending on festival size and complexity.

Special Event

“Special Event” is a catch-all temporary permit for events that don’t fit neatly into the other categories — concerts, conferences, cultural events, sports tournaments, etc. It can include beer, wine, or spirits depending on your request.

What it allows:
– Alcohol service (beer, wine, or spirits — you specify) for a one-time or limited-period event
– On-premise consumption at the event
– Flexible to fit various event types

Who typically qualifies:
– Event organizers, venues, nonprofits, festivals
– Location must be in a wet county and wet township (or special approval in dry areas for certain nonprofits)
– Can be used for concerts, conferences, fundraisers, sports events, cultural festivals, etc.

How to apply:
– Contact the ABC at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov
– Describe your event: date, location, expected attendance, type, and alcohol service plan
– Submit a Special Event application
– Typically approved within 1 week

What it costs:
Contact the ABC for the fee; it varies based on event scope.

How long it takes:
1 week to 2 weeks, depending on event complexity.

Temporary and event permits are straightforward — the complexity is minimal. The main requirement is lead time: contact the ABC well in advance (at least 1–2 weeks before your event) to allow time for application processing. If you’re in a dry county but hosting a nonprofit event, ask the ABC whether a dry-area exception applies — sometimes it does for community fundraisers.

For most events, you don’t need an attorney. However, if you’re operating a recurring event series, structuring a large multi-day festival, or seeking a special dry-area exception, a brief consultation with counsel can clarify your path. [SPONSOR CTA]

Do You Need a Personal License or Certification to Serve?

Arkansas requires all new ABC permit holders to attend an ABC educational seminar before a permit is issued. This is a mandatory training session — not an optional certification, but a required step in the licensing process.

Beyond the ABC seminar requirement, individual server certification (TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol, or equivalent) is not explicitly mandated by state law, though local jurisdictions and individual establishments may impose their own requirements. Certification is best practice and increasingly expected by employers and insurers, but not universally required by Arkansas state statute.

→ See our National Server & Seller Certification Guide for state-by-state and program-by-program details on optional and required certifications.

Verify or Look Up an Existing License

Arkansas does not have a public searchable database of active licenses. The DFA ABC explicitly states on its website: “We currently do not have a searchable database for permits.”

Here’s what is available:

Permit Renewal System (one-at-a-time lookup): You can search for a specific permit if you have the permit number or the licensee’s Federal EIN at dfa-atc_abc-renewals.ark.org/search. This is useful if you know who you’re looking for but won’t give you a full list of all permits in an area.
Monthly Permit Change Lists: The ABC publishes monthly PDFs showing new permits, inactives, and ownership/location changes at dfa.arkansas.gov/office/alcohol-beverage-control/ → Permit Changes. These are updated monthly but show only new or changed permits — not routine renewals or the complete active list.
FOIA Request (complete list): For a comprehensive list of all active permits in Arkansas, file a FOIA request with the ABC. Under Arkansas FOIA law (ACA §25-19-105), the state must respond within 3 business days. Email abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov and request a complete list of active ABC permits (as of a specific date) in CSV or Excel format.

To verify a specific business: Call the ABC at 501-682-1105 or contact your county clerk to ask about a specific location or business name.

When to Bring in an Attorney

Liquor licensing in Arkansas is complex in ways unique to the state. Here’s when an attorney who knows Arkansas licensing will save you time and money:

Wet/dry patchwork verification: Your location’s wet or dry status is determined at both the county AND township level, and the boundaries can be confusing — especially in mixed areas like Benton and Washington counties. An attorney can help verify your specific location and explain what permits are available to you.
Private club structuring: If you’re operating in a dry county, a private club is your path to serving alcohol. The 2025 removal of the nonprofit requirement opened this to for-profit businesses, but the membership, governance, and bylaws must be set up correctly. An attorney experienced in Arkansas club structures will ensure you’re compliant.
Retail Liquor lottery participation: If you’re applying for a Retail Liquor permit in a newly wet county (Benton, Saline, Washington), the lottery process is competitive. An attorney can help you navigate lottery applications and understand your rights and obligations if you win.
Multistate or complex operations: If you’re running a brewery, winery, or distillery with production and on-premise service (like a Microbrewery Restaurant), or if you have multiple locations in different wet/dry jurisdictions, an attorney ensures consistency and compliance across your permits.

[SPONSOR CTA BLOCK]

This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements change and vary by location. Verify details with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Alcoholic Beverage Control Division at 501-682-1105 or abcadmin@dfa.arkansas.gov, or a licensed attorney before acting.