Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board member Rafi Crockett served her final day on the dais on Wednesday, May 3. 

Nominated by Mayor Muriel Bowser, and confirmed unanimously by the DC Council on July 9, 2019, Board Member Crockett was instrumental in expanding access to the medical cannabis program for patients, caregivers, employees, and returning citizens.  Board member Crockett also played a pivotal role in creating new business opportunities to help alcohol and medical cannabis business industries navigate the pandemic, innovating the medical cannabis program and implementing the Medical Cannabis Amendment Act of 2022.  

The ABC Board is comprised of up to seven (7) DC residents nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the DC Council. Nominations to the ABC Board are coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments.  

Business Closure, Relocation Guidance 

When a licensee decides to temporarily or permanently cease operations, or relocate their alcohol licensed business, proper procedures must be followed to remain in compliance.  

Key requirements for each are detailed below. ABCA’s Licensing Division is happy to provide technical assistance as needed--please email ABCA@AlcoholLicensing.dc.gov.  

Closures 

Licensees must submit a Safekeeping Application or License Cancellation Application if a business will be closed for 21 or more consecutive days. A license in Safekeeping must be renewed biannually. The safekeeping semi-annual renewal deadlines are March 31 and September 30. Failure to submit a request or pay the semi-annual fee may result in license cancellation.  

A license must be placed in safekeeping or cancelled if the business is permanently ceasing alcohol service or closing all operations. 

Both application types require the business’s alcohol license to be attached. Applications are subject to ABC Board approval.  

Licensees seeking to transfer unused and unopened alcohol to either an ABCA-licensed Wholesaler and/or business, must also procure an alcohol disposal permit. Permits are valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.  

To request a permit, licensees must submit a signed and dated request detailing whether the alcohol will be transferred back to a named Wholesaler or DC-licensed alcohol venue. A product inventory must also be provided. Requests should be emailed to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.  

Relocations 

Liquor licenses that are moved to a new location are subject to a public comment period and ABC Board approval. To secure approval, licensees must submit an Alcohol License Application requesting a location transfer.  

Licensees are required to apply to put their license in Safekeeping if they cease operations for 21 or more consecutive days at the original licensed location. The same aforementioned Safekeeping renewal and alcohol disposal permit requirements apply.  

Licensees may NOT start to operate at the new location without ABC Board approval or at both the original and new location concurrently.  

Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone 

The ABC Board will hold a virtual hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2023, to receive public comment concerning the renewal of the Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone.  

The ABC Board recently extended the moratorium on an emergency basis and now seeks comment on a resolution adopted by Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1C. If approved, the resolution would increase the number of allowable tavern licenses to 25 to be phased in with no more than four (4) new tavern licenses per year.   

The deadline to request to testify virtually is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7. The deadline to submit written comments is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14. Requests and submissions should be directed to martha.jenkins@dc.gov.   

West Dupont Circle Moratorium Zone 

On April 12, at the request of ANC 2B, the ABC Board adopted emergency rules extending the existing moratorium through August 10, 2023. The current moratorium maintains a cap on nightclub licenses at zero (0), excluding the area underneath the right of way at Dupont Circle, N.W., and Connecticut Avenue, N.W., known as the Dupont Underground. 

The ABC Board will schedule a virtual hearing to receive public comment in the event that a moratorium petition is received by ANC 2B or another permitted entity.  

For questions contact martha.jenkins@dc.gov.  

Extended Holiday Hours

More than 230 venues registered in the Extended Holiday Hours Program are eligible to serve alcohol until 4:00 a.m. and operate 24-hours during Memorial Day Weekend.  

Extended hours start the evening of Friday, May 26 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, May 29.  

The next holiday eligible for extended hours is Juneteenth starting the evening of Sunday, June 18 and ending at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, June 19. 

Venues interested in participating in the Extended Holiday Hours Program must register at least 30 days before the first eligible holiday period in which they would like to participate. Upcoming registration deadlines: 

Brand registrations—Change in Process 

Wholesalers and Manufacturers are required to provide ABCA with the brand or trade name of all alcohol brands made available for sale or discontinued within ten days of doing so.  

Effective immediately, registrations should be entered into Excel and emailed as an attachment to ABCA.compliance@dc.gov. Previously, registrations were submitted to the agency Director.  

2023 ID Checking Guides Available 

Venues play a critical role in preventing underage alcohol consumption. To help personnel of alcohol licensed venues spot fraudulent photo IDs, ABCA makes available updated ID Checking Guides annually to licensees at no cost. 

Copies of the 2023 ID Checking Guide are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis for in-person pickup from ABCA’s office during business hours. One copy maximum per venue.  

Licensees are also encouraged to require personnel to annually complete the ID Compliance training which ABCA offers virtually at no cost. The next session is Monday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m.  

Upcoming Training and Info Sessions 

ABCA hosts training and information sessions on an ongoing basis. All sessions are virtual and free with advanced registration. Registration is open for: 

• ID Compliance - September 18 | 10:00 a.m.
  Focuses on preventing underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. Participants are introduced to:
  • Applicable DC and federal laws and regulations
  • Acceptable forms of photo identification and identifying counterfeits
  • Reporting protocols and confiscations, fines and penalties for violations
  • Sale to Minor program
  • Helpful resources such as the ID Checking Guide

All training and information sessions are virtual and are free with advanced registration. View ABCA's training schedule and past recordings.