TN liquor by the drink tax bonds.
From $100. Enter your amount.

Every Tennessee licensee authorized to serve liquor by the drink for consumption on the premises must post a tax bond with the Department of Revenue — a $10,000 minimum — guaranteeing payment of the liquor-by-the-drink tax. The price is 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum; a quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score. Enter your required amount to see your exact price.

Required for a consumption-on-premises (liquor-by-the-drink) license under T.C.A. Title 57, Chapter 4
A $10,000 statutory minimum — the Department can require more based on your tax volume
From $100, soft pull only — enter your required bond amount to see your exact price
1% of bond amount$100 minimumNo credit reviewnot even a soft pullFastinstant underwriting
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NYCEDC
BDG
Capital
McKinney
Terra
JLL
Triple Five
Georgetown
How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

No underwriting queue for the standard liquor-by-the-drink bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with the Department of Revenue. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount your license requires, and the effective date — that is the entire application.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

A quick soft credit check may apply — it’s never a hard inquiry and won’t affect your score. Most bonds are issued as soon as you pay; larger amounts may get a quick review.

SAME DAY

File with the Department of Revenue

Submit the executed tax bond to the Tennessee Department of Revenue with your liquor-by-the-drink registration. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Department insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the liquor-by-the-drink bond actually covers

Tennessee licenses businesses to serve liquor by the drink for consumption on the premises — restaurants, bars, hotels, clubs — under T.C.A. Title 57, Chapter 4. On top of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission license, a licensee must register with the Department of Revenue for the liquor-by-the-drink tax and post a bond securing it.

The bond is a tax-payment guarantee, conditioned on the proper payment of all state taxes, penalty, and interest connected with the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. The statutory floor is $10,000 ('not less than $10,000'); the Department can require a larger bond where the tax volume warrants it.

If a licensee fails to remit the liquor-by-the-drink tax, the Department can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, the licensee repays the surety. It is not insurance for you. We issue the amount your registration requires from $100, with a quick soft credit check.

T.C.A. Title 57, Ch. 4 (liquor-by-the-drink tax)Tennessee licensees authorized to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises (liquor by the drink) under T.C.A. Title 57, Chapter 4 must register for the liquor-by-the-drink tax and post a bond with the Department of Revenue of not less than $10,000, conditioned on proper payment of all state taxes, penalty, and interest on those sales. The Department may set a higher amount based on tax volume — confirm your required figure.

You need this bond if you are

A restaurant or bar licensed to serve liquor by the drink on the premises
A hotel, club, or venue registering for the liquor-by-the-drink tax
Renewing a consumption-on-premises license that requires a tax bond on file
Opening a new licensed establishment the Department wants bonded before it starts serving

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with your required bond amount — the executed liquor-by-the-drink tax bond is generated instantly, ready to file with the Department of Revenue.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Tennessee liquor-by-the-drink bond?The price is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. The bond itself is a $10,000 statutory minimum. If the Department of Revenue sets a higher amount for your tax volume, enter that figure at the application to see your exact price.
Why does Tennessee require this bond?It guarantees payment of the liquor-by-the-drink tax. The bond is conditioned on the proper payment of all state taxes, penalty, and interest on alcoholic beverages sold for consumption on the premises — the Department of Revenue can recover against it if you fall behind.
Is this the same as my ABC license?No. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission issues your license to serve; this tax bond is filed separately with the Department of Revenue to secure the liquor-by-the-drink tax. You generally need both.
Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply — it’s never a hard inquiry and won’t affect your score. It informs pricing and approval.
What amount should I choose?Start with the $10,000 statutory minimum unless the Department of Revenue set a higher figure for your tax volume. If you’re unsure, send us your registration paperwork and we’ll confirm before you buy.
Related bonds

Other Tennessee bonds.

Liquor-by-the-drink bond, issued today.

From $100. Enter your required amount and file with the Department of Revenue the same day.

Your premiumfrom $100
Apply now →