Changes to Streatery Endorsement
On December 19, 2025, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed emergency legislation establishing a permanent licensing process for businesses operating streateries.
Under this law, businesses previously issued a streatery endorsement were required to apply for a permanent Streatery, Sidewalk Café, or Summer Garden endorsement—or cease operations—by Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Current Operational Status
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Timely Filers: If you applied by the December 31 deadline, you are permitted to continue selling and serving alcohol in the previously approved streatery location while your request is pending. The 37 streatery endorsement applications that were received by the December 31 deadline will be placarded and undergo a 45-day protest period beginning on Friday, January 23, 2026, and ending on Monday, March 9, 2026.
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Non-Filers: If you failed to apply, you are now operating outside of the legislative grace period and face the following enforcement actions from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board:
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Enforcement Timeline
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Issuance of a Cease-and-Desist Order.
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Issuance of an Endorsement Cancellation Order.
Immediate Action Required
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If you want to operate a streatery: You must submit a permanent Streatery Endorsement Application. If you missed the December 31, 2025, deadline, you are not able to continue operations as a streatery until you obtain a streatery endorsement from ABCA for calendar year 2026.
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If you have ceased operations: You must officially request an endorsement cancellation by emailing a signed letter to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
For questions regarding required DDOT Public Space Permits or design standards, email streateries@dc.gov.
Moratorium Zone Update
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board held a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, to discuss the renewal of the Glover Park Moratorium Zone, which is set to expire on March 31, 2026.
Per a request from Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3B, the ABC Board also considered the proposal to increase the number of permitted tavern licenses by one during the hearing.
The public testimony portion of the hearing is now closed. However, written comments are still being accepted:
- Submit written comments to ABCA.legal@dc.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026.
A recording of the hearing is available on ABCA’s YouTube channel.
Other Moratoria
The ABC Board has two emergency moratoria currently in effect. Both were adopted on September 24, 2025, to address community concerns regarding public safety, noise, and parking. The ABC Board is voting on final rules for these two moratoria on Friday, January 16, 2026.
North Shaw (Westminster) Moratorium Zone Requested by the Westminster Neighborhood Association, this moratorium imposes restrictions within a 600-foot perimeter of 1909 9th Street NW:
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License Cap: Limits the number of new Nightclub (CN/DN), Tavern (CT/DT), and Multipurpose Facility (CX/DX) licenses.
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Entertainment Endorsements: Prohibits new entertainment endorsements or modifications to existing ones for Restaurants or Taverns within the zone.
Gateway/Langdon Park Moratorium Zone Requested by Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 5C, this moratorium applies to the area’s established boundaries:
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Nightclub Cap: Maintains a cap of three permitted licenses for new Retailer Class CN or DN (Nightclub) licenses.
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Other Licenses: Note that previous caps on Multipurpose Facilities, Restaurants, and Taverns were lifted in prior rulemakings.
Upcoming Compliance Deadlines
Select license holders are required by law to submit financial and/or production filings to ABCA on a quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. Submission is mandatory for all applicable licensees, even if sales and expenses total zero. Failure to comply may result in fines, license suspension, or cancellation. Most reports must be submitted via the ABCA Online Filing System.
Annual Statements (Wine Pubs, Grocery/Retail Stores) Reports for the period of January 1–December 31, 2025, are due as follows:
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Wine Pubs: Due Thursday, January 15, 2026.
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Instruction: In the online system, select "Yes" in the "Are you filing for Wine Pub" field to download the required template. Upload the completed template to finish your submission.
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Grocery and Retail Stores: Due Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Semiannual Statements (Caterers, Third-Party Delivery) Caterer and Third-Party Alcohol Delivery license holders must file for the reporting period of July 1–December 31, 2025.
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Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026.
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Requirement: Reports must be on business letterhead and emailed to ABCA.Compliance@dc.gov.
Quarterly Statements (Hotels, Restaurants, and Brew Pubs) Holders of Hotel (CH/DH), Restaurant (CR/DR), and Brew Pub licenses must file for the reporting period of October 1–December 31, 2025.
Extended Holiday Hours
ABCA’s Extended Holiday Hours program allows approved On-Premises Retailers, Manufacturers (with On-Site Sales and Consumption Permits), and Temporary License holders to sell and serve alcohol until 4:00 a.m. and operate up to 24 hours a day during select District and federal holidays.
Registration Information
Rolling Applications: Eligible licensees must submit an Extended Holiday Hours Registration Form at least 30 days before the first holiday they wish to participate in.
One-Time Filing: Once approved, registration remains valid indefinitely for all subsequent holidays in the calendar year and beyond, unless prohibited by a Board Order or Settlement Agreement.
Cost: There is no fee to participate.
Upcoming 2026 Holiday Schedule & Deadlines
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend
Dates: Friday, Jan. 16 – Monday, Jan. 19
Registration Deadline: Closed
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Washington’s Birthday Weekend
Dates: Friday, Feb. 13 – Monday, Feb. 16
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026
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DC Emancipation Day
Dates: Wednesday, April 15 – Thursday, April 16 AND Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 19
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The full 2026 schedule is available on ABCA's website.
ABC Board Recess, Office Closure Schedule
Upcoming Board Recess Dates
The ABC Board will not meet on the following dates:
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Holiday Office Closures
While ABCA offices maintain normal business hours during ABC Board recesses, the office will be closed for the following holidays:
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Monday, January 19, 2026 | Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
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Monday, February 16, 2026 | Washington’s Birthday
Reporting Concerns
ABCA investigators remain on duty to respond to complaints during holiday office closures. Community members are strongly encouraged to submit complaints online via the ABCA website.
The ABC Board’s full 2026 meeting and recess schedule is available online.
Training and Info Sessions
ABCA offers virtual training and information sessions throughout the year to help licensees stay informed. All sessions are free, though advanced registration is required. Select recordings and presentations from past sessions are available on the ABCA website.
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Alcohol Licensing 101: This course is designed for new and prospective alcohol license holders—specifically on-premises and off-premises retailers and manufacturers. It provides a comprehensive introduction to ABCA and the essentials of license management.
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Next Session: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
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Registration: Register online to receive the virtual meeting link.
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