A commercial hotel licence allows liquor to be sold for consumption either on or off the premises. This is the type of licence required to run a hotel or tavern.

Commercial hotel licence holders may also obtain approval to operate up to three detached bottle shops away from the main premises.

Trading hours

Liquor may be served at any time from Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 10am and 12midnight. If extended trading hours are required a separate application must be lodged for approved extended trading hours.  

Applications to trade prior to 10am must demonstrate a community need for the extended hours.  

Applications to trade beyond 12midnight must include either a full or standard community impact statement, dependant on the hours applied for.

On Good Friday and Christmas Day, liquor may only be served during ordinary (not extended) hours, and only in conjunction with a meal prepared, served and intended to be eaten in an area ordinarily used for dining. On Anzac Day, this provision applies until 1pm.

Trading conditions

The business must provide meals and accommodation to the extent required by the chief executive.

Liquor may be sold:

• to the general public for consumption on the premises during ordinary or extended trading hours
• to the general public for takeaway purposes during ordinary trading hours only
• to residents and their guests for consumption on the premises after hours. This must be in residents' units or
• to the general public, from an approved bottle shop away from the licensed premises, for takeaway purposes only.

Additional privileges

A commercial hotel licence may also include any of the following privileges with the approval of the Chief Executive. Separate applications are required in each instance:

• approval to operate a bottle shop away from the main premises
• approval for extended hours before 10am or after 12midnight

• approval to cater for private functions away from the premises and/or
• approval for entertainment.

If you run a vineyard, or are otherwise involved in making wine in Queensland, and you wish to sell wine, you will need a licence under the Wine Industry Act 1994.

There are two licence types available under the Wine Industry Act 1994:

• Wine producer licence - allows for the operation of a vineyard or winery
• Wine merchant licence - conducting business that contributes to the Queensland wine industry in a substantial way

Visit the Publications & Resources sections of this website to complete an application for a liquor or wine licence.