Special Event Extended Hours
Alcohol sales and consumption hours are extended for eligible holidays and during select special events such as international tournaments when hosted in countries with a large time difference from the U.S. The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in Paris, France, between Friday, July 26 - Sunday, August 11, 2024, with the 2024 Summer Paralympics immediately following from Wednesday, Aug 28 – Sunday, September 8, 2024.
In addition to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, extended hours will again be offered during Art All Night, September 27-28, and Dine All Night, September 19-29, 2024. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed legislation on July 15, 2024, passed by the DC Council authorizing extended hours for the duration of all of the aforementioned events.
On-Premises Retailers, Manufacturers with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and Temporary License holders may be eligible to offer alcohol service and consumption until 4:00 a.m. daily, while operating up to 24 hours daily.
To participate in extended hours during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, licensees must register and pay a non-refundable $100 fee by Thursday, July 25, 2024. The registration deadline for Art All Night and Dine All Night, which is a separate registration process is Thursday, September 26, 2024. There is an additional non-refundable $100 fee to register for extended hours for Art All Night and Dine All Night.
If approved, licensees will be issued a permit that must be posted next to their alcohol license inside the premises.
ABC Manager Endorsement Now Available
Eligible licensed retailers can now apply for an ABC Manager Endorsement. Unlike the ABC Manager’s License which is associated with an individual, this endorsement is linked with an alcohol licensed business, enabling the establishment to add or replace ABC Managers as needed.
Manufacturers and Off- and On-Premises Retailers can apply for this endorsement and register up to five (5) employees as ABC Managers for an annual cost of $390. Additional managers are available to be added over the five (5) employee limit at an extra annual cost of $130 per employee.
The ABC Manager Endorsement application is available on ABCA's website. Fee and renewal schedule information is available online.
Applications may be submitted via email to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov or in-person at 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400 S, Washington, DC 20009.
This fall, ABCA will be moving from the Franklin D. Reeves Municipal Center located at 2000 14th Street, NW, in Ward 1 to 899 North Capitol Street, NE. The Ward 6 location will be home to twelve (12) other DC agencies including the Office of Planning. ABCA will be located on the renovated building’s 4th floor.
The move is expected to be completed in early November 2024. ABCA does not expect business operations to be impacted but will send out additional information about the transition to our new location in the coming weeks.
Legislation Update: Moratorium Zones
North Shaw Moratorium Zone
The North Shaw Moratorium Zone encompasses the area extending 600 feet in all directions from 1909 9th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001, and prohibits:
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New Retailer license types CN and DN (Nightclub), CT and DT (Tavern), CX and DX (Multipurpose facility).
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Retailers with a Class CR or DR (Restaurant) or CT or DT license from applying for new or changes to an existing Entertainment Endorsement adding a cover charge or permitting dancing.
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The transfer of Retailer Class CN, DN, CT, DT, CX, DX, CR, or DR licenses with an Entertainment Endorsement from outside of the moratorium zone to within the moratorium zone.
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Changing a license Class from a license holder within the moratorium zone for a Retailer’s Class CN, DN, CT, DT, CX, or DX license.
The rules do not affect applications filed before June 11, 2024. The emergency rules expire on October 10, 2024.
Langdon Park Moratorium Zone
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C has requested the moratorium be renewed for three (3) years with additional modifications:
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Maintains the prohibition on issuing new Retailer Class CN or DN (Nightclub) licenses but increases the number of permitted Retailer Class CX or DX (Multipurpose Facility) licenses.
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Allows the issuance of Entertainment Endorsements to Retailer Class CR or DR (Restaurant) license holders.
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Renames the moratorium zone to better reflect the included neighborhoods.
The emergency rules expire on October 10, 2024.
Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone
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Renew the Adams Morgan Moratorium for three (3) years.
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Increase the cap on CT and DT (Tavern) and CX or DX (Multipurpose Facility) licenses to 16.
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Maintain all other restrictions in the existing moratorium.
The rulemaking will expire on August 9, 2024.
Deadlines: Annual Payments, Quarterly and Semiannual Compliance
Solicitor License Annual Payment—July 1
Second-year annual payments for Solicitor licenses were due Monday, July 1, 2024. Failure to meet the deadline can result in late fees and license suspension and/or revocation. The annual license fee and renewal schedule is available at abca.dc.gov.
Compliance Filings—July 30
Quarterly Statements and Semiannual Reports are due July 30 as noted below:
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Quarterly Statements for Hotel, Restaurant, and Brew Pub license holders are due for activity that occurred between April 1 and June 30 (Q2).
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Semiannual Reports for Caterer and Third-Party Delivery license holders are due for activity that occurred between January 1 and June 30.
Compliance filings must be submitted regardless of whether alcohol, food sales and expenditures total zero. Filings submitted by any other method will be rejected without notification. Failure to submit timely and accurate reports may result in penalties or license suspension or revocation or affect renewal eligibility. View the license fee and renewal schedule.
Class B Annual Payments—September 30
Licensees that fail to renew or submit payment will be subject to late fees and potential license cancellation.
For questions, email ABCA’s Licensing Division at ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov. Include "Second Year Payment" in the subject line and the trade name, license number, licensed premises address, mailing address, and phone number in the email body.
 Upcoming Extended Hours: Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day
Extended hours will be offered to eligible license holders for the upcoming holidays listed below. Licensees must submit an Extended Holiday Hours Application for the holiday they’d like to participate in by the listed deadline:
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Labor Day Weekend | Deadline: Monday, August 5
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Extended hours start the evening of Friday, August 30, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2.
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend | Deadline: Monday, September 16 Extended hours start the evening of Friday, October 11, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no participation fee.
Training and Information Sessions
ABCA offers training and information sessions throughout the year. Offerings are virtual and free with advanced registration.
This course introduces new and prospective licensees to key alcohol operator basics such as local laws, enforcement, and best practices.
This course focuses on the prevention of underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. Participants will learn how to identify acceptable and counterfeit photo identification, confiscation protocol, and the Sale to Minor program. Funded by US DOT/NHTSA and DMOI/HSO.
ABCA will be closed for the below holidays and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. the following business day.
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Monday, September 2 | Labor Day
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Monday, October 14 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The ABC Board and Office Calendar are on ABCA's website.
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