This year's Summer Restaurant Week, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is back! Restaurant Week will include a to-go program with a variety of family-style offerings as well as cocktail and wine pairings! This will be a great opportunity to support local restaurants in our District. For more information click HERE.
On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a Wearing of Masks Order that requires everyone to wear a mask before leaving their homes in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. There are notable exceptions to this order listed below:
- If you are two (2) years old or younger;
- If you are actively eating or drinking;
- If you are engaged in vigorous outdoor exercise and is maintaining social distance of at least six (6) feet from each other;
For now, no additional arts and entertainment waivers will be issued. Read the full order: HERE.
OTR has been working with the Mayor's Office of Nightlife and Culture and DC Council to resolve issues relating to penalties and interest on deferred sales tax payments. OTR is now waiving interest and penalties in the event the business failed to file its sales and use tax returns for periods ending in February 29, 2020 and March 31, 2020. All returns that were filed and taxes paid in full by July 20, 2020, will have penalties and interest waived for these months. Please find more information regarding deferred sales tax payments here.
If you have any additional questions please contact the Office of Tax and Revenue Collections Division via email at compliance@dc.gov or by calling (202) 724-5045.
We have received a number of inquiries regarding whether or not hookah is permitted. DC Health has confirmed that indoor and/or outdoor hookah consumption is prohibited in Phase Two. Please be aware that DC Health has been responding to complaints of hookah consumption and issuing notices of closure to establishments that are in violation. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding hookah, please e-mail food.safety@dc.gov.
As of July 28, 2020, ABRA has issued six $1,000 fines to establishments for violating the Mayor’s Order. You may find a list of establishments that were found to be in violation here. ABRA has been focused on education, but please be aware that ABRA has begun issuing on-the-spot citations for violating the Mayor’s Order. Some of the more common violations include:
- Allowing employees to engage with patrons without wearing a mask.
- Allowing patrons to sit and eat/drink at a bar while a bartender is working behind the same bar.
- Allowing on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages w/o a food purchase.
- Tables and chairs not being six feet apart.
- Operating beyond the permitted hours of operation and sales (12:00 a.m.).
- Allowing live entertainment (this includes a DJ).
- Patrons not being seated.
- Music not at conversational level
Please visit ABRA's Phase Two Guidance and FAQs for more information.
Due to the increase of positive COVID-19 cases, DC Health officials are considering dialing back on several community activities permitted in phase two, including indoor dining. Let's continue to do our part by wearing our masks to stop the spread of coronavirus.
If you’re a business owner who has not yet applied for the PPP, the deadline has been extended to August 8, 2020. This program provides forgivable loans to small businesses and nonprofit organizations to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Apply HERE.
As the District continues in Phase Two, Destination DC (DDC) is focused on supporting local hospitality businesses.
DDC is offering DC’s nightlife industry an opportunity to experience what they offer, prior to any financial commitment. DDC is offering a free six-month membership trial for first-time members (non-hotels). You will gain instant access to DDC’s benefits, including business connections, online visibility, industry intelligence and engagement tools. Upon enrollment, you can participate in this year’s Restaurant Week that will be held in August!
Details
- Six months of free membership for eligible businesses* enrolled by September 30, 2020.
- Membership begins once DDC receives the completed enrollment form.
- New members will be upgraded to a paid annual membership on April 1, 2021, unless members opt-out 30 days in advance.
- During the trial, members will enjoy all member benefits, except listings in print publications.
- Learn more or fill out an interest form online.
Eligible Businesses
- Hospitality industry
- Non-hotel
- First time members
- Must be based in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia
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