A curtain-type coating liquid application device having a slide hopper and an application start plate used to prevent an increase in the thickness of the initially applied portion of the liquid on a web to thereby make the initial coating portion flat and smooth. Liquid freely falling in the form of a thin curtain from the slide hopper is caused to collide against the web continuously moving around a backup roller so that the liquid is applied to the web. The application start plate is curved or bent and is turnable about a fulcrum located under the backup roller. The application start plate also has an upper end extending at an oblique angle to the direction of width of the curtain, or it may be provided with a curtain receiving part at the upper end of the plate.