Liquor by the Drink License & Retail Food Store Wine License

To obtain a license to sell liquor by the drink (and “wine only” licenses), you must first begin by obtaining a permit from the State of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC). The ABC may be contacted by calling (615) 741-1602.

After securing a permit, you must then bring the permit and the receipt from the ABC to the County Clerk’s downtown office at 300 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 Room 237 to pay the liquor privilege tax. The privilege tax is the same amount that you pay the ABC and is due annually. If the business changes ownership, the ABC and this office must be notified. One may also pay this tax by mail by sending the appropriate documentation to:

Retail Food Store Wine License

Retail food stores may apply for a “Retail Food Store Wine License” issued by the State of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) but must first obtain a Knox County Certificate of Background Investigation and Zoning Compliance.

Click here for instructions and application.

Questions? Call (865) 215-3441.