ABRA Last Call Newsletter: November-December Edition

Last Call Newsletter November-December 2014

ABC Board Seeks Input on Proposed Rules

Members of the public are invited to provide input on proposed changes to the District's alcohol regulations at the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's (Board) hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13.

The changes affect several chapters of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Title 23. Proposed changes include clarifying circumstances where the Board can issue cease-and-desist orders and the addition of a new pub crawl license. Complete details are available in the official notice. A summary of the proposed changes is also available online.

Members of the public that want to testify in person will need to notify the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Testimony may also be provided in writing through 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Visit ABRA's website for complete details on submitting testimony.


Registration Open for 2015 Extended Holiday Hours

All 2014 extended holiday hour registrations will expire at the end of this year.

In order to ring in 2015 until 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day, licensees of restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels and multipurpose facilities will need to complete new registration forms. The deadline to sign up in time for New Year’s Day is Tuesday, Dec. 2. Registration will also allow establishments to participate in nine other holidays and three, three-day holiday weekends listed on the 2015 extended holiday hours calendar

During extended holiday hours, registered establishments can remain open until 4 a.m. and operate 24 hours a day during certain federal holidays and three-day holiday weekends. Once licensees are registered, they are able to participate in all eligible holidays in the calendar year.

Licensees that are not already registered can still sign up for Christmas this year. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Registration is free of charge. Establishments that have settlement agreements restricting closing hours are not eligible to participate. Visit ABRA’s website to learn more.