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Toronto · Bars, nightlife & patios

Licences and permits to open a nightclub in Toronto

We found four licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a nightclub in Toronto, starting with the Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub licence. They are handled by four different bodies: Municipal Licensing & Standards, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the Province of Ontario and Toronto Public Health.

Two items are provincial rather than municipal — the Liquor sales licence (AGCO) and Smart Serve certificate — so expect to deal with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Province of Ontario as well as the City. The published application-plus-licence total for the Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub licence is $1,100.32. Three have no fee listed on the page we reviewed.

The notes mention proof of $2,000,000 in liability insurance and a certificate or exam; those steps depend on other people's schedules, so they are worth starting early.

Requirements
4
Issuers
4
Provincial
2
Last verified
Oct 31, 2026

What you'll need

Last verified:

  1. 01Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub licence

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Required for businesses with occupant load over 150 that provide amplified music for entertainment/dancing or meet three or more club criteria; applicants need $2,000,000 liability insurance and a liquor licence if serving alcohol.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $275.08
    • Licence fee: $825.24
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $1,100.32
    • Renewal fee: $738.40 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified September 30, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  2. 02Liquor sales licence (AGCO)

    Provincial

    Issued by: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

    Required if the establishment serves alcohol. Apply to the AGCO first; the licence type determines which City of Toronto documents the AGCO needs, and your AGCO file number is required when requesting them from the City.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  3. 03Smart Serve certificate

    Provincial

    Issued by: Province of Ontario

    The City's business-regulations table lists a Smart Serve certificate among the provincial requirements for licensed bars, restaurants and nightclubs that serve alcohol.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  4. 04Food Handler Certification

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health

    The City lists Food Handler Certification as required for anyone who serves and handles food. Toronto Public Health's program is suspended; certificates from Ontario Ministry of Health-approved providers or any Ontario health unit are accepted.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.

FAQ

Nightclub in Toronto: common questions

What licences do I need to open a nightclub in Toronto?
Our list has four items: Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub licence, Liquor sales licence (AGCO), Smart Serve certificate and Food Handler Certification. Confirm with the City of Toronto before opening.
How much do the licences cost to open a nightclub in Toronto?
Published fees: Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub licence: Application fee: $275.08; Licence fee: $825.24; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $1,100.32; Renewal fee: $738.40 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified September 30, 2026). Fees change; check the linked page for the current amount.
Who issues these licences and permits?
City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards (Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub licence); Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) (Liquor sales licence (AGCO)); Province of Ontario (Smart Serve certificate); City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health (Food Handler Certification).
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
Yes. Liquor sales licence (AGCO) (the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)) and Smart Serve certificate (the Province of Ontario) are provincial. The City's pages reference them; apply with the provincial body directly.
How current is this information?
Each item was last checked against the linked page on October 31, 2026. Rules and fees change, so open the linked page and confirm with the issuer before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Next steps

Before you apply

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