| License Classes and Fees
The table below provides a description of each license class and its associated fee.
For a better understanding of the different license classes, follow the link to ABRA's License Class Quick-Reference Table.
For detailed information about license and permit fees, refer to DC Official Code 208 (license fees) and DC Official Code 209 (permit and endorsement fees).
Manufacturer's License Class A
The license authorizes the licensee to operate a rectifying plant, a distillery, or a winery in the District of Columbia. The licensee may sell the manufactured product to another DC license holder for resale of US territorial law for resale.
- A rectifying plant and distillery fee is $6,000.
- A winery fee is $1,500.
- A distillery producing more than 50% non-alcoholic beverage fee is $3,000.
Manufacturer's License Class B
The license authorizes the licensee to operate a brewery in the District of Columbia. The licensee may sell the beer manufactured at the brewery to another DC license holder for resale, to a dealer licensed under the State or US territorial law for resale, or directly to a consumer. However, when sold to a consumer, the beer must be sold in barrels, kegs, or sealed bottles and, after sale may not be opened or consumed on the brewery premises. Fee is $5,000.
Wholesaler's License Class A
The license authorizes the licensee to sell non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, beer, wines, and light wines to another DC license holder for resale or to a dealer licensed under State of US territorial law for resale. The licensee may sell only beer and wines directly to a consumer. All beverages shall be sold in barrels, kegs, sealed bottles, or other closed containers, and after sale, may not be opened or consumed on the Wholesaler's premises. No wholesaler in the category, unless also licensed as a Wholesale druggist or grocery, may engage in any other business on the licensed premises. Fee is $5,200.
Wholesaler's License Class B
The license authorizes the licensee to sell only beer and wines to another DC license holder for resale, or directly to a consumer. All beer and wines shall be sold in barrels, kegs, sealed bottles, or other closed containers and, after sale, may not be opened or consumed on the Wholesaler's premises. Fee is $2,600.
Retailer's License Class A
The license authorizes the licensee to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages, beer, wines, directly to consumers and licensed caterers only. Alcoholic beverages may not be sold to other licensees, except for licensed caterers, for resale. The beverages shall be sold or delivered in containers as was received by the licensee, and no beverages may be opened or consumed on the Retailer's premises. Fee is $2,600.
Retailer's License Class B
The license authorizes the licensee to sell only beer and wines directly to consumers only. No beer and wines may be sold to other licensees for resale. The beer and wines shall be sold in the same barrel, keg, sealed bottle, or other closed container as was received by the licensee, and may not be opened or consumed on the Retailer's premises. Fee is $1,300.
Retailer's License Class C
The license authorizes the licensee to keep for sale and to sell spirits, wines and beer directly to consumer for consumption only on the licensed premises. All alcoholic beverages may be displayed and dispensed in full sight of the consumer. There are five (5) types of Class C licenses, as follows:
- A Class C Restaurant ("CR") license will be issued only for bona fide restaurants. To apply for this license, the restaurant shall have adequate kitchen and dining facilities; shall have adequate employees; shall derive at least forty-five percent (45%) of its gross annual receipts from the sale of food or have annual gross food sales of $2,000 per occupant; shall keep its kitchen facilities open until two (2) hours prior to closing and shall meet all other requirements in the Act. A Class C Restaurant may offer entertainment, except nude performances, and facilities for dancing by patrons. Fees range from $1,000 to $2,600.
- A Class C Tavern ("CT") license will be issued only for a tavern. A tavern is a place serving both alcoholic beverages and food, which may offer entertainment, except nude performances, which may allow dancing for its patrons only, but its employees or any entertainers, and which shall meet all other requirements set out in the Act. The size of the dance floor in a tavern may not exceed one hundred and forty (140) square feet, except that the license of a Class C Retailer's License whose licensed premises on September 30, 1986 contained a regularly-used dance floor in excess of one hundred and forty (140) square feet and who is occupying the same premises shall not be disqualified under this definition. Fees range from $1,300 to $3,120.
- A Class C Nightclub ("CN") license will be issued only for a nightclub, including hotel nightclubs. A nightclub is a place serving both alcoholic beverages and food, which may provide music and dancing facilities for patrons and entertainers, and which shall meet all other requirements set out in the Act. Only nightclubs approved for nude performances before 1994 may provide entertainment by nude performers. Fees range from $1,950 to $5,850.
- A Class C Hotel ("CH") license will be issued only for a hotel. Hotels must offer sleeping accommodations, have at least one (1) dining room in the same building for its guests, and have adequate kitchen equipment and employees. In addition, in order to qualify for this class of license, hotel dining rooms must derive at least forty-five percent (45%) of their gross annual receipts from the sale of food. Hotels may serve alcoholic beverages for consumption in dining rooms, lounges, banquet halls, and other similar facilities on the hotel premises, as well as in the rooms of registered guests. However, any nightclub of a hotel's premises shall be licensed separately as a Class CN. In addition, hotels shall meet all other requirements set out in the Act. Fees range from $2,600 to $5,200.
- A Class C Multipurpose ("CX") license will be issued only for a legitimate theater, the Washington Convention Center, a passenger carrying marine vessel serving food or a club car or dining cars on a railroad. Fees range from $1,950 to $3,250 and for each additional vessel or dockside waiting area is $1,950.
Retailer's License Class D
This license authorizes the licensee to keep and sell wine and beer for consumption on the licensed premises. All alcoholic beverages offered for sale or sold may be displayed and dispensed in full sight of the purchaser. There are five (5) types of Class D licenses, as follows:
- A Class D Restaurant ("DR") license will be issued only for bona fide restaurants. To qualify for this license, the restaurant shall have adequate kitchen and dining facilities; shall have adequate employees; shall derive at least forty-five percent (45%) of its gross annual receipts from the sale of food or have annual gross food sales of $1,500 per occupant; shall keep its kitchen facilities open until two (2) hours prior to closing and shall meet all other requirements in the Act. A Class D Restaurant may offer entertainment, except nude performances and facilities for dancing by patrons. Fees range from $600 to $1,560.
- A Class D Tavern ("DT") license will be issued only for a tavern. A tavern is a place serving both alcoholic beverages and food, which may offer entertainment, except nude performances, and allow dancing for its patrons only, but not its employees or any entertainers, and which shall meet all other requirements set out in the Act. The size of the dance floor in a tavern may not exceed one hundred and forty (140) square feet, except that the holder of a Class D Retailer's License whose licensed premises on September 30, 1986 contained a regularly-used dance floor in excess of one hundred and forty (140) square feet and who is occupying the same premises shall not be disqualified under this definition. Fees range from $1,000 to $1,950.
- A Class D Nightclub ("DN") license will be issued only for a nightclub, including hotel nightclubs. A nightclub is a place serving both alcoholic beverages and food, which may provide music and dancing facilities for patrons and entertainers, and which shall meet all other requirements set out in the Act. Only nightclubs approved for nude performances before 1994 may provide entertainment by nude performers. Fees range from $1,300 to $4,550.
- A Class D Hotel ("DH") license will be issued only for a hotel. Hotels must offer sleeping accommodations, have at least one (1) dining room in the same building for its guests, and have adequate kitchen equipment and employees. In addition, in order to qualify for this class of license, hotel dining rooms must derive at least forty-five percent (45%) of their gross annual receipts from the sale of food. Hotels may serve alcoholic beverages for consumption in dining rooms, lounges, banquet halls, and other similar facilities on the hotel premises, as well as in the rooms of registered guests. However, any nightclub of a hotel's premises shall be licensed separately as a Class DN. In addition, hotels must meet all other requirements set out in the Act. Fees range from $1,300 to $2,600.
- A Class D Multipurpose ("DX") license will be issued only for a legitimate theater, the Washington Convention Center, a passenger carrying marine vessel serving food or a club car or dining cars on a railroad. Fees range from $650 to $1,300 and for each additional vessel or dockside waiting area is $650.
Retailer's License Class F
The license authorizes the licensee to temporarily sell wine and beer to be consumed on the premises described on the application for the license, so long as food is also served. The beer or wine will be served in open containers. Application for this license shall be on forms prescribed by the Board, and its issuance shall be solely in the discretion of the Board and shall be on such other terms and conditions as the Board and shall be on such other terms and conditions as the Board may require. Fee is $130 per day.
Retailer's License Class G
The license authorizes the licensee to sell for consumption or to permit the consumption of spirits, wine, and beer for one (1) day only on the premises described in the application for the license, so long as food is also served. The beer or wine shall be served in open containers. Application for this license shall be on forms prescribed by the Board, and its issuance shall be solely in the discretion of the Board and shall be on such other terms and conditions as the Board and shall be on such other terms and conditions as the Board may require. Fee is $300 per day.
Club License
The license permits the consumption of alcoholic beverages on those parts of the club's premises as the Board may approve. For the purpose of this license, a "club" is defined as a corporation that is organized for the promotion of a common purpose (but not for a commercial or business purpose), is a membership organization and owns or leases all or a portion of a building. A club must elect its governing body annually and none of the club's officers or employees may profit from the its operations, aside from compensation in the form of salary. The holder of this category of license may not sell alcoholic beverages to club members or their guests.
ABC Manager's License
A manager's license authorizes the licensee to manage a licensed business. Each manager must hold a valid Manager's license. The fees for a Manager’s license can vary. The basic one year fee is $130, however, renewals will now be based on the licensee’s birthdate, and as such can vary during this transition period. Please do not complete the amount of payment until you are advised of the amount.
ABC Solicitor's License
The license authorizes the licensee to sell any alcoholic beverage on behalf of a vendor whose name appears upon the license and whom the solicitor represents. If a solicitor represents more than one (1) vendor, a separate license is issued for each vendor whom the solicitor represents. Fee is $325.
Caterer's License
Authorizes a licensee to sell and serve alcohol at catered events as part of the licensee’s processing, preparation and service of food products, and where the sales and service of alcoholic beverages is incidental to the food preparation and service provided by the caterer. The fee can range from $300 to $5,000 depending on the gross annual receipts of the catering business. |
