ReserveBar and AccelPay merged in March 2026. One result for brands: if your store runs on Shopify, you can now sell through the same network of licensed retailers that fills ReserveBar.com orders, without leaving Shopify. Our sister company AccelPay built the Shopify app that makes it work. Here is how it works.
The short answer
You keep your Shopify store, theme and apps, and add the AccelPay Fulfillment app. When a shopper buys a bottle, a licensed retailer in the shopper's state sells and ships it. You don't need your own retail or shipping license, and orders can reach 40+ states through 3,500+ licensed retail locations.
Why Shopify on its own isn't enough for alcohol
Shopify will host an alcohol store, but it leaves the legal side to you. A brand that sells and ships bottles itself needs the right licenses in each state and can only ship where direct shipping is allowed. For spirits that is a short list: Sovos ShipCompliant lists 39 states that don't allow direct-to-consumer spirits shipping from out-of-state producers. Shopify's Shop app also lists alcohol as a prohibited product, so alcohol sales happen on your own store.
Most alcohol sold online in the US is sold by licensed retailers, the same way ReserveBar.com works. The AccelPay app brings that model to your Shopify checkout.
What happens when a shopper orders
The shopper stays on your site from start to finish.
Checkout on your store. The shopper checks out on your Shopify store, and their age is verified at checkout.
The cart is split. The app separates alcohol from anything else in the cart. Merchandise goes to you or your 3PL as it does today.
The order goes to a licensed retailer. Alcohol is routed to a retailer that has your product in stock and can sell to that address. If one retailer is out, the order moves to another.
The retailer ships or delivers. Shipped orders need an adult signature. Where a nearby retailer has the bottle, same-day delivery may be available.
Updates flow back to Shopify. Order status in your Shopify admin stays current.
How it fits the three-tier system
Nothing about your distribution changes. You sell to your distributor at wholesale. Your distributor sells to the retailers in the network, like any other account. The licensed retailer is the seller of record: it holds the inventory, sets the final retail price and ships the order. AccelPay is not a tier. It connects your storefront to the retailer and handles state rules and sales tax.
What you keep
Your storefront, theme, domain and Shopify admin. There is no domain or DNS change.
Your customer data, plus your email, reviews and analytics apps such as Klaviyo.
Merchandise, gift sets and bundles in the same cart as your bottles.
Subscriptions and clubs through apps such as Recharge and Skio.
How it connects to ReserveBar.com
The retailers that fill your Shopify orders are the same retail network behind ReserveBar.com. Eligible brands can also get a ReserveBar.com listing, and introductory advertising credit on ReserveBar.com and Minibar, based on plan terms and product category. Shoppers who find you on ReserveBar.com and shoppers who come straight to your site are served by the same retailers.
Getting started
In your Shopify admin, give collaborator access to AccelPay's team.
Install AccelPay Fulfillment from the Shopify App Store, or let AccelPay's team install it for you.
Work with AccelPay's onboarding team on pricing, shipping setup and your store's terms and FAQs.
Learn more: see how it works, what's included and plan details on AccelPay's Shopify page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell alcohol on Shopify?
Yes. Shopify hosts the store, but compliance is up to you. With the AccelPay Fulfillment app, a licensed retailer in the shopper's state sells and ships each order, so you don't need your own retail or shipping license.
Do I need a license to sell alcohol on my Shopify store?
Not with AccelPay. The licensed retailer is the seller of record. Your products reach those retailers through your existing distributors.
Do I have to change my Shopify theme or domain?
No. You keep your theme, apps and domain and add one app.
Can I sell merchandise in the same cart?
Yes. The app splits the cart: alcohol goes to a licensed retailer, and merchandise ships from you or your 3PL.
Who sets the price?
You set wholesale and a suggested retail price. The licensed retailer that fills the order sets the final retail price.
Does this also get my brand on ReserveBar.com?
Eligible brands can get a ReserveBar.com listing and introductory advertising credit on ReserveBar.com and Minibar, based on plan terms and product category.
How do I get started?
Visit AccelPay's Shopify page, or email [email protected].
Work with ReserveBar
ReserveBar helps spirits, wine and beer brands sell online in three ways:
List on ReserveBar.com and the Minibar Delivery app. Eligible brands can get a listing, plus advertising to the shoppers already buying on both.
Sell on your own website. Our white-label ecommerce puts checkout directly on your site, with your branding.
Reach shoppers nationwide. Orders from every channel are filled by 3,500+ licensed retail locations across 40+ states, with shipping and same-day delivery.
To learn more about any of these, email [email protected].
Sources
AccelPay, Sell alcohol on your Shopify store (accelpay.io/shopify, checked Nov 7, 2026)
Shopify, Acceptable Use Policy
Sovos ShipCompliant, DtC spirits shipping rules by state (fetched Oct 22, 2026)
ReserveBar and AccelPay merger announcement (Mar 26, 2026)
