Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration

Last Call Newsletter

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

World Cultural Heritage Festival, Art All Night, and Dine All Night

The DC Council passed emergency legislation permitting select alcohol license types to register with the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board (ABCA) to serve alcohol until 4:00 a.m. and operate 24-hours during the World Culture Festival, Art All Night, and Dine All Night special events.

Extended hours will start the evening of Thursday, September 21, 2023, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

The emergency legislation also permits venues registered as an Art All Night and Dine All Night participant through DC’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to offer entertainment until 11:00 p.m. outdoors and until 2:00 a.m. indoors during those dates that they are registered with DSLBD to participate.

In anticipation of Mayor Muriel Bowser signing the legislation, ABCA is permitting eligible alcohol venues to submit a registration form with a non-refundable $100 registration fee starting today and ending at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Note the following:  

• Eligible licensees include On-Premises Retailer, Manufacturer with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and Temporary License holders.
• If approved, licensees will be issued a permit that must be posted next to their alcohol license inside the premises.
• Alcohol sales, service, and consumption are NOT permitted between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Settlement Agreements and Board Orders apply and may affect eligibility.
• Registration in ABCA’s Extended Holiday Hours Program does NOT extend hours or apply to the World Culture Festival, Art All Night, or Dine All Night.
• A non-alcohol licensee that holds a valid certificate of occupancy and has registered with DSLBD to participate in Art All Night or Dine All Night may also register with ABCA.

Additional details, including the emergency legislation authorizing the extension of hours, and applications are available on ABCA's website.

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

• ABC 101 - October 17 | 10:00 a.m. 
  This foundation course introduces new and prospective alcohol licensees to key ABCA basics including:
• DC alcohol laws and regulations 
• Public comment periods 
• Sound management
• Inspections and enforcement 
• Settlement Agreements
• Best practices 

View ABCA's training schedule and past recordings. 

Moratorium Zones

Proposed North Shaw & Ninth Street Neighborhood

On September 14, more than 30 people testified at a public hearing for a petition to establish a new moratorium zone. Submitted by the Westminster Neighborhood Association, the North Shaw & Ninth Street Neighborhood Moratorium Zone (tentatively named) is seeking to impose a moratorium on all license classes and types in the 1900 block of 9th Street, N.W. Read the petition. 

Adams Morgan

The ABC Board adopted the Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone (AMMZ) Third Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking on Thursday, August 16, 2023. The rules expire December 14, 2023, unless replaced by an emergency or final rulemaking. The AMMZ has been in effect since 2000.

Incident Reporting

Licensed alcohol establishments are required to report incidents such as physical and sexual assaults, overdoses, theft, and other criminal activity that occurred entirely on the licensed premises or originated on the licensed premises but occurred off-site to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and ABCA.

When an incident occurs, staff should call immediately 911. Establishments should make clear to all managers, employees, and private contractors that they are expected to preserve the crime or incident scene, video and transaction history, and to provide the full truth and all facts to police officers, officials, and investigators.

If time allows, the on duty ABC Manager should consult staff on what they observed and log key details such as:

• Sequence of events and relevant times
• Description and names (if known) of all involved parties and witnesses
• Description of any vehicles with license plate number and the direction by which they left (if applicable)
• Table or area where the involved parties sat or stood

The licensee is also required to report such incidents to ABCA within 24 hours of the occurrence albeit it is recommended to do so immediately following calling 911 and when it is safe to do so.

ABCA’s Enforcement Division may be reached by calling the main line ((202) 442-4423) between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday or the afterhours line ((202) 329-6347) outside of normal business hours, or by emailing ABCA.Enforcement@dc.gov.

Be prepared to provide or include in your email the following:

• Venue name and license number (if known)
• Date and time of the incident
• Description of the occurrence and how the establishment responded
• Detail of injuries (if applicable)
• Name of ABC Manager on duty
• Name of licensee and contact information including phone number and email (if known)

Failure to report incidents to ABCA may result in penalties.

Questions regarding incident reporting should be directed to ABCA.Enforcement@dc.gov.  

ABCA Office Closure and ABC Board Schedule

ABCA's office will be closed Monday, October 9 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10.  

View the 2023 ABCA Office Calendar and ABC Board schedule.