Bloomington: New 3-way Alcohol Permit Applications Are Open

~ Bloomington businesses can apply for new three-way alcohol permits intended to make serving beer, wine and liquor more affordable, the city said.

The permits cost $25,000, a fee set by the state. The city said traditional permits have become largely inaccessible to smaller, locally owned businesses, with prices reaching $250,000 amid a limited supply under Indiana's quota system.

The Bloomington City Council approved additional permits through Ordinance 2026-18 under two state programs: the Downtown Redevelopment District and the Courthouse Square Historic District. Unlike traditional permits, the new permits cannot be sold or transferred and must be returned to the state when no longer in use.

The city said the program aims to help locally owned restaurants open and grow, broaden dining options and support downtown. It described alcohol sales as an important source of revenue for restaurants, which it characterized as generally high-risk businesses.

More on EntSun News

• Brian G. Miller Co., LLC Receives Tier 1 Ranking in the 2027 Edition of Best Law Firms®
• The Villari Firm, PLLC Named to the 2027 Edition of Best Law Firms
• Bell, Janssen, O'Donoghue, 'Hocus Pocus' Stars Added to FAN EXPO New Orleans Guest List
• Made to Order, Not Made for Landfill: Leather Workshop Takes a Different Road into Black Friday
• Jazz Vocalist and Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber Joins RL Productions

Applications are available at bton.in/civic. The portal is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 6, and close Monday, Nov. 30. City staff will review applications for eligibility, followed by a committee review. Staff will then recommend applications to the Common Council, which will review them and make recommendations to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

Applicants recommended by the council must submit a second application directly to the commission. The city said state approval is not guaranteed and the review may take additional time.

If permits remain available, the city may reopen applications in early 2027, depending on demand.

Questions can be directed to De de la Rosa at the Entrepreneurship Helpdesk at the Mill, 642 N. Madison St., on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by phone at 812-349-3419.

---

Show All News | Disclaimer | Report Violation