Introduction
If you want to operate a small bar in NSW, you'll need to apply for a small bar licence.
A small bar licence allows you to sell alcohol for consumption on the licensed premises, but does not allow gaming or take-away liquor.
This liquor licence allows a maximum of 120 customers, over the age of 18, on the premises during authorised trading hours.
Eligibility
To submit an application, you must declare:
- you are 18 years or older
- the licensee is not suspended or disqualified from holding a liquor licence.
What you need
Before you apply for a small bar licence, you must:
- get development consent, or:
- make an application for development consent or
- lodge an application to change an existing development consent
- within 2 working days of lodging your development application with the council, notify both:
- NSW Police
- the Secretary of the NSW Department of Customer Service.
In your notification, include the:
- record of lodgement you received when you lodged your development application
- proposed licence name
- premises address
- date of the development application
- council or consent authority name.
If you didn't get development consent, or you missed the 2 working day deadline to notify both the NSW Police and the Secretary of the NSW Department of Customer Service, you must submit a Category B community impact statement (CIS).
When you're ready to apply, you’ll need:
- a OneGov account or a MyServiceNSW Account
- your contact details
- details of the proposed licensee, the premises and business owner
- a floor plan clearly showing the boundaries proposed for the small bar
- a copy of your local council development approval or consent (if applicable)
- a completed applicant declaration – PDF (if applicable)
- your payment.
If you're applying as an individual, you'll also need:
- evidence of your Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification
- evidence you have completed Licensee and Advanced Licensee training
- a current NSW Police Check certificate issued within the last 3 months
- the 3 identity documents you used when applying for the National Police Check.
If you're applying as an organisation, you'll also need:
- ABN, ACN or Y/Inc
- current ASIC search containing details of directors and officeholders (if a corporation).
How to apply
- Check the eligibility requirements.
- Gather the required documents and information.
- Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
- Log in, or create your OneGov or MyServiceNSW Account.
- Follow the prompts to apply for a licence.
Note: Before submitting your application, or within 2 working days of applying, lodge a notice (which is part of the application) and send a copy of the application, to:
- the local police station
- local council or other consent authority
- Crown Lands (if applicable.
Privacy
To apply for a small bar licence with Liquor & Gaming NSW, you’ll need to create or log in with a MyServiceNSW Account or OneGov account.
By logging in with your MyServiceNSW Account you consent to sharing your name and email address with Liquor & Gaming, an agency of the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade.
To learn more about how your personal information will be handled once it is shared by Service NSW, visit NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade – Privacy.
More information
- Your application will be advertised on the Liquor & Gaming Application Noticeboard for 30 days for community consultation before it is assessed.
- If you do not complete all the requirements listed on the application form, your application may be delayed or rejected.
- You must comply with liquor laws and statutory liquor licence requirements.
- You can tailor your licence to meet your needs by applying for authorisations and exemptions. For more information, visit the Small bar licence page on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.