TANNUM'S Tapas bar opened for business six months ago.

But instead of serving customers boutique beers, wines and spirits, along with the tapas, he's had to charge $6.50 in corkage just to keep patrons in.

Now the strenuous and costly wait for a liquor licence is over but Tapas de Vino owner Peter Hagan says it has cost him $65,000 in business.

There were some major setbacks in getting the liquor licence approved, including 25 separate objections about noise levels that were made by residents who live close to the restaurant in Pacific Ave, Ocean St and Coral Ave.

Because of that, some restrictions remain in place, including that the bar must close by 10.30pm on weeknights and have all doors and windows closed past 10.30pm on weekends.

"I think I'd just put so much effort into it was such a sigh of relief (when I found out) - the rest of the staff were dancing and cheering," he said.

He will begin selling boutique beers, wines, spirits and cocktails today.

Tapas de Vino will stock Bargara, Baffle Creek and Burleigh brewed beers as well as their own branded beer, Dorado, on tap.

The licence was approved in time for the weekend, after this paper had requested answers regarding the delay on Wednesday and Mr Hagan approched State MP Glenn Butcher's office for assistance.