New Call Center and Incident Portal
On Monday, January 22, 2024, ABCA will deploy two new communication tools—a call center for the agency's primary phone line and an enhanced online complaint and incident portal— to better serve customers.
Call Center
ABCA's call center will allows callers to self-direct their phone calls, select their language preference, and request a return call instead of holding when calling (202) 442-4423.
The call center will also allow callers to submit a complaint or report an incident 24/7. Accordingly, the afterhours hotline which uses a different phone number will be sunsetted on Thursday, February 29.
Complaint & Incident Portal
The new online complaint/incident portal provides a more user-friendly interface, issues complainants a unique tracking number for their complaint/incident filing, and allows users to attach related files and request to be contacted following investigation.
We are confident that both enhancements will provide you with a better customer experience when engaging with ABCA. If you have any questions or concerns, email ABCA.Director@dc.gov.
Additional information about complaint and incident reporting is available at abca.dc.gov.
 Program Spotlight: Underage Drinking Prevention
DC law prohibits licensed businesses from selling alcohol to any person under 21 years of age and requires that licensees take reasonable steps to prevent the sale to underage customers.
As part of ABCA's commitment to reducing the availability of alcohol to minors, the agency conducts sale-to-minor checks at On-and-Off-Premises Retailers to monitor compliance throughout the year. Thanks to grant funding US DOT/NHTSA and DMOI/HSO, the frequency and quantity of ABCA's compliance checks will increase in FY24.
Compliance checks adhere to a standard protocol. At each business, a minor attempts to purchase alcohol from a licensed business. If asked, the minor provides their real photo ID that identifies them as under 21 years of age and will truthfully state their birthdate and/or legal age.
If the minor is sold alcohol, an ABCA investigator provides notice of the violation to the on-duty ABC manager. Once reviewed by the ABC Board, the licensee may be subject to fines, penalties, suspensions or revocation of the license.
To assist licensees and their staff in understanding and complying with the law, ABCA—with funding US DOT/NHTSA and DMOI/HSO—hosts virtual ID Compliance training throughout the year. The next training date is Tuesday, January 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Annual participation is highly encouraged. Training is free with registration.
More information on the Sale-to-Minor program is available on ABCA's website. Direct questions about the program to ABCA.Enforcement@dc.gov.
 Streateries Extended
On December 21, 2023, the Mayor signed the Streatery Program Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 extending the popular public amenity through Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
On-Premises Retailers that have been issued a Streatery Endorsement may sell and serve alcohol on ground or street level outdoor public or private spaces not licensed by ABCA daily between 8:00 a.m. and midnight.
With the extension, applicable licensees must remit payment for the annual Streatery Endorsement fee by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2024.
Failure to meet the payment deadline may result in fines and/or license or endorsement revocation.
Additional information about Streateries is available on ABCA's website. Streatery guidelines are available on the District’s Department of Transportation's website.
Direct endorsement questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
 Compliance Filing Deadlines
Select licensees are required to submit regular product sales and/or production reports. Recently passed and upcoming deadlines are detailed below.
Quarterly
- Tuesday, January 30 | Brew Pub, Hotel and Restaurant
Semiannual
- Tuesday, January 30 | Caterer and Third-Party Alcohol Delivery
Annual
- Tuesday, January 16 | Wine Pub
- Thursday, February 29 | Full Service Grocery Store (Class B), 25 Percent Grocery Store (Class A), 25 Percent Retailer (Class B)
Deadlines that fall on weekends or District Government or federal holidays carry over to the next business day. Late and non-filers may be subject to fines and/or license suspension or revocation.
More information on statement and report compliance filing is available on ABCA's website.
 Spring 2024 License Renewals, Annual License Fees
Renewal packets and annual license fee invoices will be mailed to applicable licensees in mid-February. The payment and renewal deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024.
- Renewal | Off-Premises Retailer (Class A Grocery Store and Liquor Store), Wholesaler (Class A), Manufacturer (Class C), Internet Retailer (Class IA)
- Annual Fee | All Class C and D Retailers (except Taverns and Nightclubs)
Additional information about the alcohol license fee and renewal schedule is available on ABCA's website.
Direct address changes and questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
 Upcoming Extended Hour Deadlines
To register, licensees must submit an Extended Holiday Hours Registration Form at least 30-days before the first holiday for which they would like to extend hours. Registration is free and forms are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Registration deadlines for upcoming eligible holiday periods include:
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Deadline: Monday, January 22 | Washington's Birthday Weekend
Extended hours start the evening of Friday, February 16 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, February 19.
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Deadline: Monday, March 18 | DC Emancipation Day Weekend
Extended hours start the evening of Friday, April 12 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 14. Extended hours will resume Monday, April 15 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16.
Neighborhood Moratorium Zones
North Shaw Moratorium Zone Proposed Rulemaking and Public Hearing
On December 14, 2023, the ABC Board approved proposed rules for the North Shaw Moratorium Zone. The proposed rules would prohibit the following for three years:
- New Retailer Class CN/DN, CX/DX license types
- Entertainment endorsements for new or existing restaurants and taverns
- Transfers of certain license types from outside the proposed moratorium zone to inside the proposed moratorium zone
The complete rulemaking and zoning map are available on ABCA's website.
Public Hearing
The ABC Board will hold a virtual hearing to receive public comment at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 29. Individuals and representatives of organizations interested in testifying must email ABCA's General Counsel Martha Jenkins at martha.jenkins@dc.gov by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Those unable to testify may provide written comments by emailing ABCA's Legal Division at abca.legal@dc.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone
On December 13, 2023, the ABC Board extended the Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking. The rulemaking:
- Renews the moratorium for three (3) years
- Increases the cap on the number of CT, DT, CX, and DX retailer licenses from 10 to 16
- Maintains all other previous restrictions
The complete rulemaking is available on ABCA's website.
 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 | Monday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m.
This course focuses on the prevention of underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. Participants will be introduced to:
- DC and federal laws and regulations
- Acceptable forms of photo identification
- Tips and tools for verifying authentic photo IDs and identifying counterfeits
- Reporting and confiscation protocol
- Fines and penalties for violations
- Sale to Minor program
Funded by US DOT/NHTSA and DMOI/HSO
ABC 101 | Tuesday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
This course introduces new and prospective alcohol licensees to key alcohol operator 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.
 Office Closure, Board Recess
Upcoming Holiday Office Closure (President's Day)
ABCA's office will be closed Monday, February 19 in observance of Washington's Birthday. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20.
ABC Board Recess
The ABC Board will be in recess Wednesday, February 21 and will reconvene on Wednesday, February 28.
View the 2024 ABCA Office Calendar and ABC Board schedule.
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