ABC licenses are issued in the District based on license type and class.
License Types
There are several alcoholic beverage license types:
- Manufacturer: Operates a plant that manufactures spirits, wine (including cider) or beer.
- Wholesaler: Sells alcoholic beverages to other District ABC licensees for resale.
- 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.
- 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.
- Caterer: Sells and serves alcoholic beverages at catered events as part of the licensee’s preparation and service of food.
- Festival License: Temporarily permits the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at sporting or performing arts events for up to 15 days.
- 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.
- ABC Manager: Individual certified to manage one or more ABC establishments.
- 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.