Understanding Merchant Category Code 5813: Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail Lounges, Nightclubs, and Discotheques

What is Merchant Category Code 5813: Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail Lounges, Nightclubs, and Discotheques

Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are four-digit numbers categorising businesses based on their primary goods or services. Credit card companies and banks use these codes to set interchange fees and track transaction types. They essentially tell the payment network what kind of business you’re dealing with.

MCC 5813 encompasses businesses predominantly engaged in serving alcoholic beverages to patrons. This code is critical for payment processors and businesses to classify and manage transactions effectively.

What Types of Businesses Fall Under MCC 5813

MCC 5813 identifies transactions from entities focused on nightlife and entertainment, specialising in various forms of alcohol service.

These include:

Bars: Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of alcoholic drinks for consumption on premises.
Taverns: Similar to bars, serving casual drinks and possibly providing food.
Cocktail Lounges: Upmarket venues offering a sophisticated drink menu.
Nightclubs: Locations with dance floors and live or recorded music, with a focus on entertainment.
Discotheques: Music-driven venues designed for dancing and socialising.

Understanding MCC codes is essential for merchants to streamline transactions and ensure compliance. Learn more about MCC codes and their importance for your business.

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Mark Stiltner

Mark Stiltner is a finance and fintech writer. From educating independent investment advisors on retirement plan management to helping families maximize their savings to educating businesses on global payment preferences, Mark has spent over a decade researching and educating audiences on complex financial topics. Mark has been a contributing author on blog articles and educational content for the Bank of Colorado, Pinnacle Bank, TD Ameritrade, First Data and Rapyd.