Last updated 2026-07-24
TL;DR
The Florida Bar's main number is (850) 561-5600, for lawyer licensing, discipline, and attorney member search. It has nothing to do with liquor licenses. If you're opening a bar or restaurant in Florida, you need the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), not The Florida Bar.
What is the Florida Bar phone number?
The Florida Bar's main line is (850) 561-5600. That number connects you to the state agency that regulates lawyers in Florida, handles bar admission, and fields attorney discipline complaints [1]. The Florida Bar is headquartered in Tallahassee at 651 East Jefferson Street, and its switchboard routes calls to sections covering member services, ethics, and public information [1]. If you're calling because you searched "Florida Bar phone number" while trying to find a lawyer, verify a lawyer's license, or file a complaint against an attorney, that main number is your starting point. You can also do most of this online through the florida bar member search tool, which lets you confirm whether someone is an active, licensed Florida attorney without picking up the phone at all. Here's the confusion that brings a lot of people to this page: "Florida Bar" sounds a lot like "opening a bar in Florida." They are completely unrelated. One is a professional licensing body for lawyers under the Florida Supreme Court. The other, liquor licensing for a bar, restaurant, or nightclub, runs through a totally different state agency. If you got here searching for how to open a bar, keep reading, because the phone number you actually need is below.
Is The Florida Bar the same as a liquor license authority?
No. The Florida Bar (thefloridabar.org) licenses and disciplines attorneys under rules set by the Florida Supreme Court [1]. It has no jurisdiction over alcohol sales, bar permits, or restaurant licensing of any kind. The agency that actually issues liquor licenses in Florida is the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) [2]. ABT issues everything from beer and wine licenses to full liquor (quota) licenses, and it enforces the Beverage Law found in Florida Statutes Chapter 561 and related chapters [3]. So if your actual question is "how do I get a liquor license in Florida," the number to call is DBPR's ABT division, not The Florida Bar. DBPR's general licensing contact line is (850) 487-1395, and ABT-specific licensing questions can also be routed through DBPR's Beverage Licensing section listed on its official site [2]. Always confirm the current phone line and office hours directly on the DBPR ABT page before you call, since state agency contact routing changes from time to time.
How do I get a liquor license in Florida?
You apply through DBPR's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, using the license application that matches your business type: beer and wine only, full liquor, or a special license for a hotel, caterer, or private club [2][3]. The process generally involves choosing the right license series, confirming quota availability if you need a full liquor license, submitting fingerprints and background documentation, and paying state fees that vary by county and license class. Florida's quota liquor licenses (the ones that allow full liquor, more than beer and wine) are capped by population under Florida Statutes section 561.20, with one new quota license issued per roughly every set population increment in each county, decided by the DBPR based on U.S. Census counts [4]. That's why quota licenses in dense counties like Miami-Dade or Broward can carry secondary market prices well above the state's own issuance fee. If you don't need a full quota license, a Series 2COP (beer and wine, consumption on premises) or similar consumption license usually has a shorter path and no quota wait. The realistic timeline runs anywhere from a few weeks for a straightforward beer and wine license to several months for a quota liquor license transfer, depending on county backlog, background check turnaround, and whether the location needs local zoning or health department signoff first. Because Florida licensing overlaps with federal rules too, you'll also need a Federal Basic Permit or Alcohol Dealer Registration through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) if you're manufacturing, importing, or wholesaling alcohol, separate from your state retail license [5].
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
| Beer/wine consumption license (e.g., 2COP) | State application + license fee | Set by DBPR fee schedule [2] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full liquor, non-quota (SFS, hotel, caterer, etc.) | State fee, varies by category | DBPR ABT license classes [2][3] | |
| Full liquor, quota license (new from state) | State fee if available via county allocation | Section 561.20 population formula [4] | |
| Full liquor, quota license (secondary market transfer) | Market price, can be substantial in dense counties | Private sale, DBPR must approve transfer [4] | Because exact dollar figures shift and vary so much by county, treat any number you see online, including here, as a starting range to confirm with your state ABC authority before you budget. |
This is one of the most-searched questions on this topic and the honest answer is: it depends heavily on license type, county, and whether you're buying new from the state or transferring an existing quota license on the open market. State-issued application and license fees for beer/wine and standard consumption licenses are set by DBPR and published in its fee schedule, and they're relatively modest compared to quota liquor pricing, generally in the low hundreds to low thousands of dollars depending on the license series [2]. Confirm the exact current fee for your specific license series directly on DBPR's ABT fee schedule, since fees are adjusted periodically by rule. Quota liquor licenses are a different story entirely. Because they're capped by population under section 561.20, and new ones are only released as county population crosses set thresholds (or through the state's periodic lottery/drawing process), existing quota licenses trade on a secondary market. In competitive counties, quota license transfer prices can run into the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the county and demand, far above any state-set issuance fee [4]. If you're trying to answer "how much is a liquor license in Florida" for your specific business, the honest move is to check current quota availability and secondary market pricing in your county with a local liquor license consultant or broker, plus confirm current DBPR fees directly, because these numbers move. | License path | Rough cost driver | Where cost comes from |
How do I obtain a liquor license generally, outside Florida?
Every state runs its own alcohol licensing system through its own ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) agency or equivalent, so "how to obtain a liquor license" always starts with identifying the right state authority, not a national one. There is no single federal liquor license for retail sales. At the federal level, if you're manufacturing, importing, or acting as a wholesaler, you need a permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which regulates alcohol production and interstate commerce under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, 27 U.S.C. Chapter 8 [5]. Retail bars and restaurants selling drinks to the public typically don't need a TTB permit, but they absolutely need a state (and often county or city) retail license to pour alcohol legally. The general steps are similar across states: pick your license type based on what you're selling and where (on-premise vs off-premise, beer/wine vs full liquor), check whether your state uses a quota or cap system tied to population, gather your entity documents and background checks, and submit to your state's ABC agency along with local zoning and health approvals. If you're comparing how this works in another state, the process and fee structure can look quite different, for example California's ABC system runs on its own quota rules distinct from Florida's, which is worth checking if you're opening locations in multiple states (see the california bar guide for that state's approach).
Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?
No, not legally, in any U.S. state. Selling or serving alcoholic beverages without the required state and local license is a violation of state beverage law and can trigger criminal penalties, fines, and forced closure, on top of making it impossible to get insured properly for alcohol service. In Florida specifically, operating without the required beverage license required by Chapter 561 exposes a business to enforcement action from DBPR's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, including cease and desist orders and referral for criminal prosecution under the state's beverage law [3]. Florida Statutes section 562.12 makes it a crime to sell alcoholic beverages without a license, and violations are classified based on the circumstances of the sale [6]. There is no "grace period" where you can pour drinks while your application is pending, you need the license (or a valid temporary permit if your state offers one for the interim) in hand before alcohol changes hands for payment. This applies to catered events, pop-ups, and temporary bars too. Many states, Florida included, offer special or temporary event licenses for one-off occasions, but those still require an actual application and approval, more than a phone call or a promise to file paperwork later. If your lease is signed and your opening date is set, get your license application moving well before you plan to pour a single drink.
How do I get a bartending license?
Florida does not require a statewide bartending license to pour drinks legally, but many employers require alcohol server training certification, and some counties or cities have their own rules. Check with your local county or municipal government and with DBPR for any current statewide server training requirements before you assume none apply. Responsible vendor programs, like those tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, offer training courses covering checking IDs, spotting intoxication, and understanding liability, and completing one can reduce a business's liability exposure and is sometimes required by insurers even where it's not legally mandated statewide [2]. TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) and ServSafe Alcohol are two widely used national programs accepted in many states, including by many Florida employers, though requirements and accepted providers vary by state and sometimes by county. If you're the owner rather than the bartender, this question usually isn't about your own certification but your staff's. Build server training into your pre-opening checklist alongside your license application, not as an afterthought once the doors are already open, because some local jurisdictions do require proof of training as a condition of your on-premise license or liquor liability insurance.
How do I get a liquor license as a new business, start to finish?
Start with your business entity and location locked in, because most state applications require a specific address, lease or deed proof, and entity formation documents (LLC, corporation, etc.) before you can even file. You cannot apply with a vague "we're looking at a few spots" plan in most states, including Florida. Next, confirm your license type and, if applicable, quota availability with your state ABC authority. In Florida that means checking with DBPR's ABT division on which license series fits your concept (beer/wine only versus full liquor, quota versus non-quota) and whether county quota licenses are currently available or need to come through a transfer [2][4]. Some states run annual lottery systems for quota licenses; Florida's quota licenses are generally allocated through DBPR based on the county population formula in section 561.20, with additional licenses sometimes available through the state's periodic drawing process when population crosses a threshold [4]. Then gather your paperwork: fingerprints and background checks for owners and managers, financial disclosures, floor plans, proof of local zoning compliance, and health department signoff if you're serving food. File with fees paid, then expect a review period that includes local government notice or objection windows in many jurisdictions. Budget real time here. A non-quota beer and wine license might clear in a matter of weeks; a full quota liquor license transfer, especially one bought on the secondary market, commonly takes months once you factor in DBPR review, background checks, and any local approval steps. If you want a structured way to back-plan all of this from your opening date rather than guessing at the sequence, that's exactly the gap the license roadmap builder is built to fill: a $199 one-time roadmap that maps your state's specific license type, fees to confirm, and timeline milestones against your target opening date. It's not legal advice and it's not a guarantee of approval or timing, just a planning tool.
Can anyone take the bar exam?
Not literally anyone. To sit for the bar exam in Florida or any state, you generally need to have graduated from an ABA-approved law school (with narrow exceptions in a few states) and meet your state bar's character and fitness requirements [1]. The Florida Board of Bar Examiners handles admission requirements for Florida specifically, including education, character and fitness review, and the exam itself, under the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar . This question shows up in searches near "Florida Bar phone number" because people conflate The Florida Bar (the professional association and regulator for practicing attorneys) with bar exam eligibility rules, which are set by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners under those Florida Supreme Court admission rules, a related but distinct body from The Florida Bar's member services line . If you're researching law school admission or bar exam eligibility, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners is the more specific resource; The Florida Bar's main number can route you there if needed. None of this overlaps with liquor licensing in any way, but it's worth clarifying since "can anyone take the bar exam" and "Florida bar phone number" often get searched by the same confused audience looking for two entirely different kinds of "bar."
Where do I find the right liquor license contact if I searched for the Florida Bar by mistake?
If you landed here because you typed "Florida bar phone number" but you actually meant "I want to open a bar in Florida," here's the redirect: contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, not The Florida Bar [2]. DBPR handles license applications, renewals, transfers, and compliance for every bar, restaurant, and package store in the state. DBPR's general contact line is (850) 487-1395, and its website lists current division-specific contacts and online license lookup tools; always confirm the specific extension or department line on DBPR's official site since routing changes [2]. For federal-level questions tied to production, importing, or wholesale distribution rather than retail service, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is the federal counterpart, established under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act [5]. For a broader look at how Florida's licensing system compares with other states, or if you're weighing multiple markets for expansion, the florida bar state guide and the general liquor and bar hub pages break down license types, quotas, and typical costs state by state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Florida Bar phone number?
The Florida Bar's main phone number is (850) 561-5600. This connects to the state agency that licenses and disciplines attorneys in Florida, headquartered in Tallahassee. It has no connection to liquor licensing; for that, contact Florida's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco under DBPR instead.
How much is a liquor license?
It depends entirely on the state, county, and license type. Non-quota beer/wine licenses often cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in state fees. Full quota liquor licenses, capped by population in states like Florida, can trade for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars on the secondary market. Always confirm current fees with your state ABC authority.
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
State-set fees for non-quota licenses (like beer and wine consumption licenses) are published in DBPR's ABT fee schedule and are relatively modest. Quota full liquor licenses, capped by county population under Florida Statutes 561.20, can cost far more on the secondary market, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars or more depending on the county. Confirm current numbers directly with DBPR.
How do I get a liquor license?
Identify your state's ABC or equivalent agency, choose the license type matching your business (on-premise vs off-premise, beer/wine vs full liquor), confirm quota availability if applicable, then submit your application with entity documents, background checks, and required fees. Expect local zoning and health approvals too. Timelines range from weeks to many months depending on license type and location.
How do I obtain a liquor license as a new restaurant?
Lock in your lease and business entity first, since most states require a specific address to apply. Then contact your state ABC agency to confirm the right license class and any quota rules, gather fingerprints, floor plans, and financial disclosures, and file with fees paid. Local zoning and health department signoff are usually required alongside the state application.
Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?
No. Serving or selling alcohol without the required state and local license is illegal everywhere in the U.S. and can result in fines, criminal charges, and forced closure. Florida Statutes section 562.12 specifically makes unlicensed alcohol sales a criminal offense. There is no grace period to pour drinks while an application is pending; you need an approved license or valid temporary permit in hand first.
How do I get a bartending license?
Florida doesn't require a statewide bartender license, but check current county and city rules, since some jurisdictions or insurers require alcohol server training certification (like TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol). Requirements vary by state and locality, so confirm with your county government and DBPR before assuming no training is required.
Can anyone take the bar exam?
No. Bar exam eligibility generally requires graduating from an ABA-approved law school and passing character and fitness review, with rules set by each state's bar admission authority (in Florida, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners under Florida Supreme Court admission rules). Requirements vary slightly by state but this is not open to the general public.
Is The Florida Bar the same agency that issues liquor licenses?
No. The Florida Bar regulates attorneys under the Florida Supreme Court. Liquor licenses in Florida are issued by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). These are entirely separate state functions with different phone numbers and different laws.
What number do I call for Florida liquor license questions?
Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, whose general line is (850) 487-1395, and ask for the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), which handles all liquor license applications, transfers, and renewals. Confirm the most current contact routing on DBPR's official website before calling.
How long does it take to get a liquor license in Florida?
A straightforward beer and wine license can sometimes clear in a matter of weeks. A full quota liquor license, especially a secondary market transfer, commonly takes several months once you account for DBPR review, fingerprint background checks, and local zoning or health department approvals. Build buffer time into your opening date planning.
Does Florida have a quota system for liquor licenses?
Yes. Under Florida Statutes section 561.20, the number of full liquor (quota) licenses per county is tied to population, with new licenses released as county population crosses set thresholds. This is why quota licenses in dense counties often trade for significant sums on the secondary market rather than being available directly from the state at the base fee.
Sources
- The Florida Bar, official site: The Florida Bar's main phone number and its role in attorney licensing and discipline in Tallahassee
- Florida DBPR, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco: DBPR's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco issues and regulates Florida liquor licenses
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 561, Beverage Law: Florida's Beverage Law governing alcohol licensing and enforcement
- Florida Statutes section 561.20, quota license limitations: Florida quota liquor licenses are capped based on county population formulas
- Federal Alcohol Administration Act, 27 U.S.C. Chapter 8: Federal Basic Permit requirements for alcohol manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers derive from this federal statute administered by TTB
- Florida Statutes section 562.12, unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages without a license: Selling alcoholic beverages without a required license is a criminal offense under Florida law