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Who it's for
An on-premises liquor licence in Victoria is for venues where people come to drink on site: bars, wine bars, music venues and function spaces. Food can be part of the offer, but drinking is the main activity. Liquor sold under this licence is for drinking at the venue, not takeaway.
- You're opening a bar, wine bar or small music venue
- You plan to host live music or DJs
- You may want to trade late
Not you? Food-led: restaurant and café licence. Pub or takeaway: general licence.
How many people your bar can hold
Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) generally works patron capacity out from floor area: as a guide, about one person per 0.75 m² of licensed floor area. On that guide, a 60 m² bar room comes out at about 80 people. Old planning permit conditions can also cap patron numbers, so we check those first. Need more later? See increasing patron capacity.
Music, noise and crowd controllers
Crowd controller conditions are typically tied to music above background level and late trading. A noise limiter is often a better answer for neighbours. Music noise is regulated under the EPA noise framework, and some venues fall under the planning scheme's live music rules (clause 53.06). More on live music and planning.
Trading after 1am
Trading after 1am needs the late night version of the on-premises licence. Some inner-Melbourne council areas have had restrictions on new late night licences, so check the address before you sign a lease. See late night licences.
Old permit conditions on bars
Many bars have permits with old conditions on hours, patrons and music. Since Amendment VC286 on 1 July 2025, our position is that conditions tied only to the old liquor permission no longer have effect. Read about liquor conditions on old permits.
Speak with Jacob
Principal. Twelve years running venues and working inside local government.
The first conversation is free.
Book a 15-minute call(03) 7064 8477We reply within 24 hours.
How it works
Four steps, with hours, capacity and noise worked out before lodging.
- 15-minute call We talk through the site, hours and capacity, and fix the fee.
- Online form You upload plans, the lease and business details through your client portal.
- Plan and application We draw the red line plan, work out capacity and prepare the application, including any noise measures. You sign off.
- Lodged and managed Lodged within 10 business days of receiving your documents. We deal with LCV, any public notice and any objections.
Fees and timing
A fixed fee for our work. LCV's fee is separate.
- Our fee
- From $1,599 + GST. Red line plan included.
- LCV fee
- Set by LCV; hours and capacity are among its risk factors. Changes every 1 July.
- Decision
- Around 12 weeks from lodgement as a guide, if there are no objections.
- Acoustic report
- If needed, a separate cost from an acoustic consultant.
Ask for the hours you need now. Changing hours later means a variation, with its own timeline.
What we need from you
Upload these through our online form.
- Floor plans with measurements, so we can work out capacity
- Your lease or agreement for the premises
- The planning permit and endorsed plans, if any
- The hours you want, and whether you'll have music
- Business details: the applicant, directors and associates
- RSA and new entrant training certificates
Questions
What is an on-premises liquor licence?
An on-premises licence lets you sell liquor for people to drink at your venue, which suits bars, wine bars and other venues where drinking is the main activity. It doesn't cover takeaway. The licence sets your hours, patron capacity and licensed area, shown on a red line plan (the plan showing where liquor can be served). To trade after 1am, you need the late night version.
Do I need an on-premises licence for a wine bar in Melbourne?
Usually, yes: a wine bar where drinking is the main activity generally needs an on-premises licence. If your wine bar is really a restaurant with a strong wine list, with meals as the focus and tables and chairs for most guests, a restaurant and café licence may fit. If you also want to sell bottles to take home, look at a general licence.
How many people can my bar hold?
As a guide, LCV works out capacity at about one person per 0.75 m² of licensed floor area. Your actual number also depends on the layout, your planning permit and any old conditions on patron numbers. If you want more patrons later, you'll need a variation, but you don't need a building surveyor report to apply. We work the number out with you first.
Can I have live music with an on-premises licence?
Yes, but music above background level usually comes with conditions, such as crowd controllers at set times or a noise limiter. Noise from venues is regulated under the EPA noise framework, and some venues are also covered by planning rules for live music. An acoustic report and a noise limiter are the standard tools. We set them up so they work on the floor, not just on paper.
Can my bar trade after 1am?
Only with a late night licence, which is the on-premises licence with trading after 1am. Some inner-Melbourne council areas have had restrictions on new late night licences, so check the address before you sign a lease. Late trading also tends to bring conditions such as crowd controllers or a noise limiter. We'll check your site's position on the first call.