How to get an Ontario liquor sales licence for a restaurant or bar (AGCO guide, 2026)

If you want to serve beer, wine or spirits in Ontario, you need a liquor sales licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The process is online and it involves more than the AGCO: your municipality, the building and fire departments and public health all have a say. Owners who start early get their licence sooner, and owners who sign a lease before checking zoning sometimes discover a problem too late.

This guide summarizes public information and is not legal advice. The AGCO's own pages are the authority and change from time to time, so check them before you file.

What does a liquor sales licence cover?

A liquor sales licence allows a business to sell and serve alcohol to customers for consumption on the premises, in the areas named on the licence. The areas matter: a dining room, a bar, a patio and a rooftop can each need to be listed. If you add a patio later, you may need to change the licence.

Who can apply?

The AGCO's guidance says applicants must be at least 19 years old or a registered business entity, and the AGCO may review the history of shareholders, directors and officers. Settle your ownership structure before you apply, because changes after filing add delay. Serving alcohol is not required to be your main business, so a café or a bakery with a licence is possible.

What are the steps?

1. Check zoning. Confirm with your municipality that the address is zoned for a licensed restaurant or bar. The AGCO cannot fix a zoning problem for you.
2. Confirm your tax filings are in order. Outstanding filings can stall an application.
3. Apply through the AGCO's online portal. Applications, renewals and changes all go through it.
4. Complete the municipal information. The AGCO asks for municipal information about your premises. In Toronto, for example, check the City's licence-to-serve-alcohol page for the forms and approvals involved. Other municipalities have their own process. Start this early, because each department works to its own timeline.
5. Notify the public. The AGCO describes a public notice, in which a placard is posted at your premises so neighbours can comment. Display it as instructed.
6. Prepare for inspection. Check with the AGCO and your municipality when your premises must be ready for inspection. Plan on being finished, with fixtures in place.
7. Train your staff. Everyone who serves alcohol needs Smart Serve certification (see the guide to Smart Serve).
8. Receive your licence and post it. Follow the AGCO's rules on displaying it.

How long does it take?

Plan for several months from the day you start the municipal paperwork to the day you can serve. Third-party guides give estimates, but timelines depend on your municipality and on how busy the AGCO is. Build the wait into your opening schedule and your lease, and avoid promising an opening date until the licence is close.

What rules apply once you are licensed?

The AGCO regulates how licensees operate. The Registrar's Interim Standards, made under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, cover things such as staff training, responsible service and conduct on the premises. Read them. Inspectors can visit, and a breach can lead to a penalty, a suspension or a change to your licence.

What costs should you budget for?

Application and licence fees, the cost of Smart Serve for staff, any municipal fees, and professional help if you use a lawyer or consultant. The AGCO publishes its fee schedule, and fees change, so check the current one. Add the cost of liquor liability insurance, which most insurers require.

What mistakes delay owners?

• Signing a lease before confirming zoning and licensing.
• Applying before the premises are close to finished.
• Leaving staff training until the last week.
• Forgetting to update the licence when the layout changes.
• Not telling the AGCO about a change of ownership or directors.

Should you hire help?

Many owners apply on their own. A lawyer or consultant who knows your municipality can save time if your site has a complication, such as a patio on public land, a residential neighbour or a late-night hours request.

What happens at renewal?

Licences are issued for a set term and have to be renewed through the same portal. Put the renewal date in your calendar well ahead of time, because operating after a licence lapses is a serious breach.

More guides for your business:

• AODA website rules for Ontario restaurants: who must meet WCAG 2.0 AA and what to fix first
• Public holiday pay for Ontario restaurant staff: the nine holidays and how to work out the pay
• Smart Serve in Ontario: who in your restaurant needs it and when

More in the Canadian guides for food businesses.