Last Call Newsletter: July/August 2025

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT 

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Extended Hours for Art All Night

Select licensees will be able to offer extended alcohol service to patrons and operate 24 hours during the 2025 Art All Night starting the evening of Friday, September 12, and ending at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 14. Register now.

Presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser in conjunction with the District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development, Art All Night is DC’s annual overnight arts festival that brings arts activations to all eight Wards over two nights.

On-Premises Retailers, Manufacturers with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and Temporary License holders are eligible to register. The deadline to register and pay the non-refundable $100 fee is Tuesday, September 9, 2025. 

Registration in ABCA’s Extended Holiday Hours Program and previous Art/Dine All Night or other special event approvals do not extend to this year’s Art All Night. If approved, licensees will be issued a permit that must be posted next to their alcohol license inside of the premises.  

Note the following:    

  • Venues that want to offer live entertainment such as a musician, band, drag show, trivia, karaoke, or poetry reading; dancing; or charge a cover fee must have an Entertainment Endorsement and abide by the approved hours. To temporarily add or to modify entertainment hours, licensees must submit a Substantial Change Application.  
  • Alcohol sales, service, and consumption are NOT permitted between 4:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m.  
  • Settlement Agreements and Board Orders apply and may affect eligibility. 

Questions can be directed to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.  


Extended Holiday Hours: Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day

The next holiday periods eligible for extended alcohol service hours are Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples Day weekends. During eligible periods, registered venues can sell, serve, and permit consumption onsite until 4:00 a.m. and operate 24 hours.

On-Premises Retailers, Manufacturers with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and Temporary License may register at no cost. Once registered, venues may automatically extend hours for future eligible holidays. Register now.

Registration deadlines and extended hours for each upcoming holiday are as follows:

  • Labor Day Weekend | Deadline: Friday, August 1
    Extended hours start the evening of Friday, August 29, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, September 1.  
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend | Deadline: Monday, September 15
    Extended hours start the evening of Friday, October 10, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 13.

Direct questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.


Quarterly Statements and Semiannual Reports

Statutorily required compliance filings must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 for:

  • Brew Pub, Hotel and Restaurant license holders for the reporting period April 1 – June 30, 2025.
  • Caterers and Third-Party Alcohol Delivery license holders for the reporting period January 1 – June 30, 2025.

Filings must be submitted regardless of whether alcohol, food sales and expenditures total zero.

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. 

Direct compliance filing questions to ABCA.Compliance@dc.gov.


Fall License Renewal

Renewal preparations for Class CT and DT tavern and Class CN and DN nightclub alcohol licenses are currently underway. Renewal packets will be distributed by early August and sent exclusively by email.

All renewal packets must be received by ABCA by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.  Custom online payment links are only emailed upon acceptance of a complete packet.

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. 

To confirm or update your email account or to report an unreceived renewal packet, email ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.


Training and Information Sessions

ABCA offers training and information sessions throughout the year. Offerings are virtual and free with advanced registration. Select recordings and presentations from our most recent training and information sessions are available online.

  • Alcohol Licensing 101 - This course introduces new and prospective alcohol license holders—specifically on-premises and off-premises retailers and manufacturers— to ABCA and key basics. Registration is open for the next training to be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
  • ID Compliance - This course focuses on preventing underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. The course covers topics including tips for ID verification, resources, and the Sale to Minor program. Registration is open for the next training to be held on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Legislation Updates

Langdon Park Moratorium Zone

The Gateway-Langdon Park Moratorium Zone Notice of Third Rulemaking was adopted on June 4, 2025, and will expire October 1, 2025, unless earlier amended or superseded by a final rulemaking. The rules define the moratorium zone area as 600 feet in all directions from Echostage, located at 2135 Queens Chapel Road, N.E.

North Shaw Moratorium Zone

On July 17, 2025, the ABC Board adopted the proposed North Shaw Moratorium Zone Review of Final Rulemaking for submission to the DC Council. The rules define the moratorium zone area as 600 feet in all directions from Sound Bar, located at 1909 9th Street, NW.

Questions should be directed to ABCA.director@dc.gov.   


ABCA Office Closures 

ABCA will be closed for the following holidays and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. the following business day:

  • Monday, September 1 | Labor Day 
  • Monday, October 13 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day 

The ABC Board and Office Calendar are on ABCA's website.


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