Knox County Tennessee

Liquor Privilege Tax

Liquor by the Drink License & Retail Food Store Wine License

To obtain a license to sell liquor by the drink (and “wine only” licenses), you must first begin by obtaining a permit from the State of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC). The ABC may be contacted by calling (615) 741-1602.

After securing a permit, you must then bring the permit and the receipt from the ABC to the County Clerk’s downtown office at 300 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 Room 237 to pay the liquor privilege tax. The privilege tax is the same amount that you pay the ABC and is due annually. If the business changes ownership, the ABC and this office must be notified. One may also pay this tax by mail by sending the appropriate documentation to:

ATTN: COMMISSION LIBRARY
PO Box 1566
Knoxville, TN 37901

Retail Food Store Wine License

Retail food stores may apply for a “Retail Food Store Wine License” issued by the State of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) but must first obtain a Knox County Certificate of Background Investigation and Zoning Compliance.

Click here for instructions and application.

Questions? Call (865) 215-3441.

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County Clerk

Old Courthouse
300 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: 865-215-2385
Fax: 865-215-3655

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
More Information
Satellite Locations
1028 Old Cedar Bluff Road
Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: 865-215-8500
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
More Information
Our Farragut Office is temporally closed on September 15, 2023 due to extensive renovations to the Farragut Town Hall. We will re-open this location as soon as the work is completed.
North Knoxville/Crossroads Centre
7328 Norris Freeway
Knoxville, TN 37918
Phone: 865-215-3400
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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South Knoxville/Chapman Plaza
7339 Chapman Hwy
Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: 865-577-4510
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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East Knoxville
4734 Centerline Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37917

Phone: 865-549-5184
Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00am to 5:30pm
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