Liquor Licence NSWOn-premises liquor licence (NSW)
An on-premises licence covers businesses that sell alcohol alongside another product or service: salons, function centres, catering, accommodation, cinemas and theatres, nightclubs, galleries and more. Alcohol must stay secondary to the main business, and the licence is tied to the business type it was granted for.
What the licence allows
Common examples
- Hair salons, barbers and beauty salons
- Function centres and wedding venues
- Catering businesses
- Hotels, motels, serviced apartments and B&Bs
- Cinemas, theatres and performance venues
- Nightclubs
- Bowling, karaoke and entertainment centres
- Art galleries and museums
- Boats and charter vessels
- Sporting venues and stadiums
You can
- Sell alcohol alongside your main product or service
- Serve alcohol at functions and events held at your premises
- Cater at functions held at other premises, with an authorisation
- Serve accommodation guests and their guests at any time
- Provide entertainment, live music and dancing
- Minors on the premises, in line with the rules for your business type
- Trade after midnight, with an extended trading authorisation
Limits
- Alcohol must stay secondary to your main business
- The licence is tied to the business type it was granted for
- No takeaway sales and no gaming machines
- Nightclubs and trading after midnight need a SoRPE
Authorisations often added
- Primary service
- Extended trading
- Sale on other premises (included with a new licence)
- 6-hour closure variation
Applying for authorisations together with the licence is usually quicker than adding them later.
Cost
The cost depends on the authorisations you need. Our calculator gives an estimate that includes our professional costs and all NSW Government fees and charges.
Common questions
Yes, with an on-premises licence, as long as alcohol stays secondary to your main product or service. A licence isn't needed if drinks are genuinely free, with no direct or indirect charge, but free drinks bundled into a package or entry fee need a licence.
An authorisation to trade beyond standard hours. On-premises, bar and hotel licences have standard hours to midnight, so extended trading covers trading after midnight. Small bars already trade to 2am, and bottle shops can extend Sunday trading from 10pm to midnight. Regular late trading also increases your annual licence fee.
Usually, yes. Your liquor licence must match what council has approved, including the use, trading hours and capacity. Speak with us before lodging a development application so the two line up. In some circumstances it may be possible to lodge your licence application before council has approved the use, but there can be risks with this.