Applications Available for New Types of Licenses

Beginning Tuesday, April 21, District businesses can get a head start submitting applications for several new types of alcoholic beverage licenses. The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) will begin processing the applications after the Congressional review period expires for the Omnibus Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Amendment Act of 2014, which is projected to occur on Saturday, May 2.

As part of the new legislation, a distillery can apply for an on-site sales and consumption permit. The permit would allow a spirit manufacturer to sell their products on site in cocktails for the first time. Wineries will also be able to apply for the permit, which would allow them to sell and serve glasses of their wine to customers. Applications for the permit are available online.

The proposed law also allows organizers of sporting or performing art events to apply for a new festival license, which would temporarily permit the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at events for up to 15 days. The license would eliminate the need for organizers to obtain several one-day permits over the course of longer events. An organizer could apply for the license every three months. 

Applications may also be submitted by bakeries that produce alcohol-infused confections, such as cupcakes. The new class C manufacturer’s license would allow bakeries to sell baked goods—with a maximum of five percent of alcohol by volume—to persons 21 years of age or older. Bakeries could also sell the products to other businesses that have alcoholic beverage licenses. 

Licensees that have questions can contact ABRA by emailing or by calling 202-442-4423.

New Law Will Limit Alcohol Ads in Windows

ABC licensees will need to take a look at their establishments' windows to ensure that they comply with new restrictions on alcohol ads that could take effect as early as May.   

As part of a pending law, alcohol ads can only cover up to 25 percent of an establishment’s windows. The restrictions will apply to all alcohol licensed establishments in the District. 

Investigators from the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) will begin enforcing the new law once the Congressional review period for the legislation expires; however, establishments will be granted a written warning for a first-time offense of the new rule. ABRA will notify licensees of when the law officially takes effect.

Outdoor Patio Permit for Manufacturers Proposed

A proposed law could go into effect in the District that would allow breweries, distilleries and wineries to operate outdoor patios similar to restaurants and taverns. 

If approved, the Manufacturer’s Sidewalk Cafe and Summer Garden Endorsement Amendment Act of 2015 would permit an alcohol manufacturer that holds an on-site sales and consumption permit to operate an outdoor patio area from 1-9 p.m., seven days a week. The proposed law would only affect manufacturer licensees in the District and would not impact brew pubs, distillery pubs or wine pubs.

The law was proposed by Mayor Bowser on Thursday, April 3 as part of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Act of 2015. The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration will keep licensees informed if the bill is passed by the District of Columbia Council. 

ABC Board Seeks Public Comment on Two Proposals

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) is seeking public input on two separate rulemaking proposals.

The first proposal will amend the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Reimbursable Detail Subsidy Program by increasing coverage and subsidies for the program in addition to allowing for coverage of certain outdoor special events. Complete details are available in the official notice. Members of the public can comment on the Reimbursable Detail Subsidy Program from 10:30-11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29.

A second proposed rulemaking that would make several technical changes to Title 23 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations is also open for comment. Complete details of the proposal can be reviewed in the official notice posted on ABRA’s website. Comment on the technical amendment can be provided from 11 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, April 29.

Individuals and representatives of organizations that want to comment should notify Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration General Counsel Martha Jenkins by Friday, April 24. Notifications should include the full name, title, and organization, if applicable, of the person(s) testifying:

• Email
• Call - (202) 442-4456

Members of the public that are providing comment should bring nine copies of their written testimony to the hearing. Testimony may be limited to five minutes in order to permit each person an opportunity to be heard.

Members of the public that are unable to testify in person can provide written statements, which will be made a part of the Board’s official record. Copies of written statements must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, May 1. Written input should include the full name, title, and organization, if applicable, of the person(s) testifying:

• Email
• Mail - Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, Office of the General Counsel, 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, Washington, D.C. 20009

Register to Stay Open Later Memorial Day Weekend

There are only three weekends on the 2015 extended holiday hours calendar that registered establishments can stay open later all weekend long. One of them is just around the corner.

During Memorial Day weekend, on-premises establishments that are registered can operate 24 hours a day and stay open until 4 a.m. on the mornings of May 23, 24 and 25.

Restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels and multipurpose facilities that are not registered still have time to do so. The deadline to sign up in time for Memorial Day weekend is Wednesday, April 22.

The extended holiday hours program allows ABC establishments to remain open until 4 a.m. and operate 24 hours a day during certain federal holidays and three-day holiday weekends. 

Establishments that have settlement agreements restricting closing hours are not eligible to participate. Visit ABRA's website to learn more.

Quarterly Statements Due April 30

ABC licensees of hotels and restaurants are due to file first-quarter statements with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) by Thursday, April 30. Statements need to include the following from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015:

• Gross sales receipts for food and alcohol, and
• Total expenses for the purchase of food and alcohol.

Quarterly statements may be submitted online or by using a printed form. Complete details are available on ABRA’s website. Licensees that have questions can contact ABRA Compliance Analyst Monica Clark by emailing or by calling (202) 442-4438. 

Hotel and Restaurant Training April 30

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) invites hotel and restaurant licensees to attend Books and Records Training on Thursday, April 30. Training will cover:

• Food sales requirements
• Food sales reporting
• Quarterly statement filings
• Books and records tracking

Two training sessions are available on Thursday, April 30:

• 9-11 a.m. (Spanish interpreter available)
• 2-4 p.m. (Korean interpreter available)

RSVP for training by contacting ABRA Compliance Analyst Monica Clark by Friday, April 24:

• Email
• (202) 442-4438

Training is free of charge and will be held at 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) is taking part in Alcohol Awareness Month by continuing to educate students about the dangers of alcohol intoxication. In April, ABRA visited the University of the District of Columbia, George Washington University and Gallaudet University to provide students with a virtual simulation of how alcohol impairs a person's abilities through a tool called intoxiclock. The software program uses data including a subject’s weight and gender in addition to a mock number of drinks and a time period to provide a virtual demonstration of intoxication levels. Through the use of impairment glasses, particpants can understand the affects of blood alcohol at varying percentages. At no point in the demonstration is any alcohol consumed by participants.  ABRA regularly provides educational visits to colleges and universities across the District as part of the DC: Double Check 101 program.

Your Feedback Needed: ABRA Website Survey

Have you checked out the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration's (ABRA) website? If so, the agency wants to hear from you!

In an effort to make ABRA’s website more user-friendly, the agency is conducting an eight-question survey to find out how the website is working for the public. Feedback from the survey will be used to make improvements to the site.

Spread the word by sharing the survey with your friends and colleagues.

Office Closed Memorial Day

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. The office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26.