In response to several community petitions, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) adopted proposed rules on Sept. 7 for a limit on certain liquor licenses in Langdon Park. The proposal is not yet in effect as it is still subject to a 30-day public comment period.

The proposed moratorium would extend 600 feet in all directions from the intersection of Bladensburg Road and 24th Place, NE. Within the zone, two restrictions would apply for a three-year period. First, the proposed rules would limit the number of class C nightclub and multipurpose facility licenses in the zone to three. Second, the proposed rules would not allow new entertainment endorsements to be issued to restaurants and taverns in the area. 

In making its decision, the Board considered all of the public comment it received on the issue, including community concerns regarding noise, litter, parking and public safety issues stemming from nightlife establishments already in the neighborhood. The Board also considered concerns raised by businesses, which cited the need for continued economic development in the area.

In order to strike a balance between the concerns of residents and businesses, the Board modified the requests originally proposed by Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C, the Langdon Park Community Association, The Greater Woodridge-Gateway Leaders' Group, and residents of Woodridge, Langdon Park and Gateway Communities. The proposals generally requested prohibiting the issuance of certain alcohol licenses for taverns, nightclubs, multipurpose facilities, and restaurants with entertainment endorsements within an 1,800-foot radius of the corridor for a five-year period.

The Langdon Park Moratorium Zone would be the fifth neighborhood moratorium zone in the District. Public comment on the Board’s decision will be accepted for a 30-day period once the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published in the DC Register.

Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed a number of new alcohol laws on Sept. 16 that are now under consideration by the District of Columbia Council.

If enacted, the Omnibus Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Amendment of 2016 will update several laws already on the books and create new ways of doing business in the District.

This includes a number of provisions that would expand the types of containers businesses can sell their products in for customers to take home. Under the proposal, grocery stores could sell wine in growlers for the first time. In addition, establishments like restaurants and taverns that brew beer--known as brew pubs--could sell the beer they manufacture in cans, kegs, bottles and other sealed containers. Currently, brew pubs are only permitted to sell beer in growlers for customers to take home. Additionally, the bill proposes permitting distilleries and wineries to sell their products in cans and kegs instead of only barrels and bottles.   

Another item in the bill would do away with a requirement that cocktails served by distilleries primarily contain the distiller's spirits over any other brand. The new law would allow a distillery to freely mix cocktails containing the distiller's spirits with any other brand of spirits as long as they have the proper permit to do so. 

The bill also proposes a new license that would be the first of its kind in the District. The bed and breakfast license would permit an inn to serve alcohol to registered guests. 

Complete details of the bill can be reviewed online. Check out future editions of Last Call to learn more about the bill's status.

The clock is ticking for all District taverns and nightclubs to renew alcohol licenses with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). The deadline to do so is Friday, Sept. 30.

Renewals can only be completed in person at ABRA’s office, which is located at 2000 14th St., NW, 4th Floor, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20009.

Applications not returned by the required deadline will be subject to a late fee beginning Monday, Oct. 3 of $50 per day—not to exceed the cost of the license—and cancellation.

ABRA mailed renewal applications to businesses in mid-August. Any tavern or nightclub licensee that did not receive a renewal notice should contact ABRA.               

Alcoholic beverage licenses are required to be renewed every three years with all licenses of the same type expiring on the same date. The next sets of licenses requiring renewal will be all class B manufacturers, which are set to expire on Friday, March 31, 2017. A schedule of license renewals can be reviewed on ABRA’s website.

Complete details for tavern and nightclub license renewals are also available online. Licensees that have questions can contact ABRA by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423.

Beer and wine retailers and distributors (class B) that pay for liquor licenses on an annual basis are due to make payments to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) by Friday, Sept. 30.

ABRA mailed payment notices to affected licensees in mid-August. 

Payments may be mailed or hand delivered to ABRA's office at 2000 14th St., NW, 4th Floor, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20009. 

Licensing fees should be paid on time. Beginning Monday, Oct. 3, a late fee of $50 per day will be assessed for any late payments, which may not exceed the cost of the license. 

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

Businesses will soon be able to apply for two liquor store licenses (class A retailer licenses) becoming available for application at the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Previously, ABRA could not accept applications for new liquor store licenses since the number of pending and issued class A retailer licenses had reached 250, which by law is the cap for stores permitted to sell spirits, beer and wine. The number has now fallen to 248.

A business owner that wants to apply for one of the licenses can submit an application in person at  ABRA's office: 2000 14th St., NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009.

Completed license applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the consideration of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Applicants that have questions can contact ABRA by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423.

Follow ABRA on Twitter and facebook to get the latest updates on liquor store licenses in the District. 

New and existing ABC licensees are invited to attend ABRA’s Orientation Training from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3. 

Training will cover District alcohol laws; settlement agreements; tips for working effectively with the community; noise abatement and sound management; and much more.

Contact ABRA Community Resource Officer Sarah Fashbaugh by Friday, Oct. 28 to register by emailing or calling (202) 397-3971.

Attendance for this class is strongly recommended for new license holders. Training is free of charge. Requests for interpreters may be made; however, they must be submitted by the registration deadline. Training is located at:

• 2000 14th St., NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009.