ABC licenses are issued in the District based on license type and class.

License Types

There are several alcoholic beverage license types:

1. Manufacturer: Operates a plant that manufactures spirits, wine (including cider) or beer.
2. Wholesaler: Sells alcoholic beverages to other District ABC licensees for resale.
3. Off-premise retailer: A stores where alcoholic beverages may be purchased but may only be consumed off of the licensed premises or an Internet site where alcohol can be ordered online.
4. On-premise retailer: An establishment where alcoholic beverages may be purchased and consumed on the licensed premises. On-premises retailers include restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels, bed and breakfasts, theaters, museums, sports facilities, passenger-carrying ships and trains.
5. Caterer: Sells and serves alcoholic beverages at catered events as part of the licensee’s preparation and service of food.
6. Festival License: Temporarily permits the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at sporting or performing arts events for up to 15 days.
7. Temporary License: Temporarily permits the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for up to four days at banquets, picnics, bazaars, fairs or similar public gatherings.
8. ABC Manager: Individual certified to manage one or more ABC establishments.
9. Solicitor: Permitted to transport samples of alcoholic beverages to ABC-licensed establishments on behalf of a vendor and to take orders on behalf of the vendor that the solicitor represents.

License Classes

License class determines the kinds of alcoholic beverages an establishment can sell.

• Manufacturer Class A: Permits the production of spirits and wine (wine includes cider). 
• Manufacturer Class B: Permits the production of beer.
• Manufacturer Class C: Permits the production of baked goods with a maximum of five percent of alcohol per volume.
• Wholesaler Class A: Permits the distribution and sale of spirits, beer and wine.
• Wholesaler Class B: Permits the distribution and sale of beer and wine.
• Off-premises Retailer Class A: Permits a store to sell spirits, beer, and wine for consumption off of the licensed premises.
• Off-premises Retailer Class B: Permits a store to sell beer and wine for consumption off of the licensed premises.
• Internet Class A: Permits a retailer that does not have a physical location to sell spirits, beer and wine online.
• Internet Class B: Permits a retailer that does not have a physical location to sell beer and wine online.
• On-premises Retailer Class C: Permits the sale, service and consumption of spirits, beer and wine at a restaurant, tavern, nightclub, hotel, bed and breakfast and multipurpose facility. The licenses are further defined as follows by type of establishment:
  • Restaurant: C/R license
  • Tavern: C/T license 
  • Nightclub: C/N license 
  • Hotel: C/H license 
  • Bed and Breakfast: C/B license
  • Multipurpose facility: C/X license
• On-premises Retailer Class D: Permits the sale, service and consumption of beer and wine at a restaurant, tavern, nightclub, hotel and multipurpose facility. The licenses are further defined as follows:
  • Restaurant: D/R license
  • Tavern: D/T license
  • Nightclub: D/N license
  • Hotel: D/H license
  • Bed and Breakfast: D/B license
  • Multipurpose Facility: D/X license
• Club Class C: Permits consumption of spirits, beer and wine at a club.
• Club Class D: Permits consumption of beer and wine at a club.
• Common Carrier Class C: Permits the sale, service, and consumption of spirits, beer, and wine on a passenger carrying train or boat.
• Common Carrier Class D: Permits the sale, service, and consumption of beer and wine on a passenger carrying train or boat.
• Temporary License Class F: Temporarily permits the sale and consumption of beer and wine for up to four days at banquets, picnics, bazaars, fairs or similar public gatherings.
• Temporary License Class G: Temporarily permits the sale and consumption of spirits, beer and wine for up to four days at banquets, picnics, bazaars, fairs or similar public gatherings.
• Festival License Class H: Temporarily permits the sale and consumption of beer and wine at sporting, cultural or performing arts events for up to 15 days.
• Festival License Class I: Temporarily permits the sale and consumption of spirits, beer and wine at sporting or performing arts events for up to 15 days.
• Farmer's Market Class J: Permits district manufacturers, brew pub, wine pub or distillery to operate as a vendor for tastings of the product it produces, including beer and wine. 
• Farmer's Market Class K: Permits district manufacturers, brew pub, wine pub or distillery to operate as a vendor for tastings of the product it produces, including spirits, beer and wine.