Liquor & Alcoholic Beverages
Selling alcoholic drinks for consumption on or off the premises. Usually held alongside a retail or restaurant licence.
Indicative fee
From Rs 6,000 / yr
Processing time
~25 working days
Validity
1 year, renewable
Decided by
Licensing Committee
Who needs it
- Bars and restaurants serving alcohol
- Shops selling alcohol to take away
Police (Liquor) clearance is always required. Use the Licence Finder.
Required documents
Upload clear scans or photos (PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB each).
- National Identity CardOf the applicant, or of every director for a company.
- Business Registration CardIssued by the Companies Division.
- Proof of premisesLease agreement, title deed or owner's written consent.
- Site plan or location sketchShowing the premises and access road.
- Police (Liquor) clearanceRequested through the Licensing Unit.
- Existing trade licenceYour retail or restaurant licence number.
How it is processed
Your application follows the four official stages. You can follow each one in real time.
1. Application
Submit online with documents.
2. Policy Concurrence
Checked against policy.
3. Clearance
Agency clearances.
4. Approval
Committee decision.
Frequently asked
Can I start trading while my application is being processed?
No. You may only start trading once the Licensing Committee has approved your application and the trade fee has been paid.
How do I renew?
Renewals open online every October for the following year. Sign in to My account and choose Renew.
What if my application is refused?
You receive a written decision with the reasons. You may correct the issues and apply again, or ask the office for guidance.