Liquor Licensing Frequently Asked Questions

Application Questions

You may apply online at https://ksabconline.gov/Login.aspx.

Once all application documents are submitted to ABC, the statute allows 30 days to issue or deny a license except that applications for a manufacturer, distributor or non-beverage user’s license allows 20 days.

When a license application is approved, in most cases an ABC enforcement agent will hand deliver in-state licenses and will provide education at the time of delivery. Out-of-state licenses and permits are sent to the applicant via email.

Yes.

No.

Yes. A diagram of the licensed premises and proof of ownership or signed lease must be submitted to the ABC.

On-Premise licenses:

The Director of Taxation sets the bond for an on-premise license at $1,000. You may post an escrow, surety or cash bond.

Other licenses:

An escrow or surety bond in the following amounts are required for the license types below:

  • Manufacturers - $15,000;
  • Spirits Distributor - $15,000 or an amount equal to the highest monthly liability for any of the 12 months immediately prior to renewal;
  • Beer or Wine Distributor - $5,000 or an amount equal to the highest monthly liability for any of the 12 months immediately prior to renewal;
  • Retailer, Microbrewery, Microdistillery or Farm Winery - $2,000;
  • Special Order Shipping - $750 (out-of-state applicants only);
  • Nonbeverage users - $200 for Class 1, $500 for Class 2, $1,000 for Class 3, $5,000 for Class 4, $10,000 for Class 5;
  • Producer - $500.

The role of a process agent is to accept service of process (i.e. for legal proceedings) on behalf of a licensee.

Yes, if a process agent is an owner. If the process agent is not an owner, the process agent may sign if sufficient documentation of a legal power of attorney is provided to the ABC.

Yes.

No.

Yes; however, the following requirements apply:

  • If two Class B Clubs are owned, the licensee must meet a 50 percent food requirement.
  • If a Class B Club and a drinking establishment with a 30 percent food requirement are owned, the licensee must meet a 50 percent food requirement for the Class B Club and a 30 percent food requirement for the drinking establishment.
  • If a Class B Club and a drinking establishment without a food requirement are owned, the licensee must meet a 50 percent food requirement for the Class B Club only.
  • If a drinking establishment with a 30 percent food requirement is owned, the licensee must meet a 30 percent food requirement.
  • If a drinking establishment without a food requirement is owned, the licensee does not have any food requirements to meet.

No.

Separate. Refer to K.A.R. 14-22-8.

Yes, so long as the county where they are catering is a wet county. If the county also has a food sales requirement, that must be met as well.

No, refer to K.A.R. 14-19-16(a)

No.

Yes.

Alcoholic liquor, CMB, non-alcoholic malt beverage, and any other goods or services may be sold in a retail liquor store. You may also sell lottery tickets and cigarette and tobacco products with proper licensure.

Sales of other goods and services must not exceed 20% of your total gross sales. The 20% excludes lottery, CMB and cigarette and tobacco product sales.

What if sales of other goods and services from my licensed retailer premise exceed 20% of my total gross sales?

You will need to make all sales of other goods and services exceeding 20% from a separate, unlicensed premises. If each premise does not have a separate outside entrance, a vestibule is required.

Retailers must first apply for a Basic Permit to wholesale with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). After the retailer receives their Basic Permit from the TTB they must notify the ABC to obtain their “Wholesale Liquor Dealer under Federal Law” sign. Retailers must maintain a copy of their Basic Permit on the licensed premise. Retailers who sell to clubs must complete and file a Monthly Report of On Premise Sales (ABC-73).

No.

No. A retailer must purchase alcohol through a licensed Kansas distributor or a Kansas farm winery.

No, if you have invited guests and are not selling the alcohol or charging admission.

CMB QUESTIONS

No.

18 years of age