Upcoming Extended Hours Opportunities
Eligible licensees can extend alcoholic beverage service until 4:00 a.m. and operate for 24 hours during several upcoming September cultural events and fall holidays.
These specific cultural events require a new, separate registration and a $100 flat fee per event. Standard holiday program enrollment or past single-event approvals do not apply. Late applications are not accepted.
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Dates: Evening of Friday, Sept. 11 – Sunday, Sept. 13 (ends 4:00 a.m.)
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Deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 8
Congressional Black Caucus Weekend
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Dates: Evening of Friday, Sept. 18 – Sunday, Sept. 20 (ends 4:00 a.m.)
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Deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 15
Extended hours are also available through the ongoing Extended Holiday Hours Program. Registration is free and remains valid in perpetuity. New registrants must submit applications at least 30 days before their first holiday.
Labor Day Weekend
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Dates: Evening of Friday, Sept. 4 – Monday, Sept. 7 (ends 4:00 a.m.)
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Deadline: Friday, August 7
Indigenous People’s Day Weekend
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Dates: Evening of Friday, Oct. 9 – Monday, Oct. 12 (ends 4:00 a.m.)
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Deadline: Friday, September 11
Fall License Renewals and Annual Payments Due Sept. 30
The fall deadline is approaching for alcoholic beverage licensees to maintain good standing with ABCA.
Key Deadlines & Requirements
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Who It Affects: Fall renewals are due for Class B Licensees (Retailer, Internet Retailer, Manufacturer, Wholesaler). Annual payments are also due for Class C and D Taverns and Nightclubs.
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Submission Deadline: Both renewals and annual payments must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Required Actions for Business Changes
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Ownership Changes: If your ownership structure changed or transferred to a new entity, the ABC Board must approve your application before you can renew.
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Contact Updates: If your contact information changed, email a Contact Information Form to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov by Friday, July 31, 2026, to ensure you receive renewal packets and invoices. Licensees are legally responsible for keeping information current. Missing a notice does not exempt you from deadlines.
Compliance Filing Due July 30
Licensees must submit their mandatory financial reports online by the end of the month.
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Quarterly Report: Mandatory for Hotels, Restaurants, and Brew Pubs covering Q2
(April 1 – June 30, 2026).
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Semiannual Statement: Mandatory for Caterers and Third-Party Licensees covering the first half of the year (January 1 – June 30, 2026).
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Submission Deadline: Both filings are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Failure to file required reports on time may result in fines, license suspension, or the inability to renew your license.
Mandatory Security Camera Requirements
Security camera requirements apply to all nightclubs and any licensee mandated by the ABC Board or a Settlement Agreement. Any other licensed establishment that voluntarily chooses to install cameras must also follow these strict compliance rules.
Key Compliance Requirements
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Active Recording: Cameras must operate and record whenever the establishment is open to the public.
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Footage Retention: Video of violent crimes, including gun-involved incidents, must be kept for at least 30 days.
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Footage Requests: Video must be provided to ABCA or MPD within 48 hours of a request.
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System Standards: Systems must meet all legal standards for resolution, storage, retention, and image quality.
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Outage Notification: Email ABCA.Enforcement@dc.gov within 10 days if a camera breaks or is no longer recording, and provide proof of repair or replacement.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in fines, license suspension, or the inability to renew your license.
Legislation Update: DC Hospitality Amendment Act
Training and Info Sessions
ABCA offers free virtual training to keep current and prospective licensees up to date on District laws, regulations, and best practices. Registration is required.
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ID Compliance | Monday, July 20, 2026 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | REGISTER
ID Compliance training focuses on preventing underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. The course covers topics including tips for ID verification, compliance tools and operational resources, and underage compliance checks. Funded by the US DOT/NHTSA and DC HSO.
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Alcohol Licensing 101 Monday, August 3, 2026: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | REGISTER
Alcohol Licensing 101 introduces new and prospective alcohol license holders—specifically on-premises and off-premises retailers and manufacturers— to ABCA and key basics. Note this course a substitute for the Alcohol Awareness Training, which must be completed to receive an ABC Manager License.
Holiday Office Closures and ABC Board Summer Recess
ABCA will be closed on the following dates in observance of these upcoming holidays:
- Labor Day | Monday, September 7
- Indigenous People’s Day Weekend | Monday, October 12
The ABC Board will observe summer recess from August 13 – September 15.
ABCA investigators remain on duty during office closures and board recesses to respond to community complaints. File complaints using ABCA’s online complaint system.
View the complete Board and Office Calendar on ABCA's website.
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