DC Liquor License Update – March 2018

This month I wrote two posts about specific types of violations that cause DC Bar owners fits: sale to minors and investigation interference. Learn the anatomy of these issues, what you can do to avoid them, and how to mitigate losses. Additionally, there are a number of reminders and upcoming programs to help you stay on top of your compliance obligations.

Below is a summary of this month’s topics and events with links to more in-depth information:

Sale to Minor Violations. As an owner, no matter how vigilant you are about age verification, if a minor is served by your establishment, you are liable. End of story. It’s what lawyers call “strict liability,” but for licensees, it feels more like repayment terms on a mafia loan. [read more]

Investigation Interference. Technology has taken center stage in reconstructing violent incidents at licensed establishments. When one of these incidents occurs in your bar and the video shows culpable conduct by your own security staff, the temptation to make like Roger Goodell and have the evidence disappear is certainly there. (We saw how that ended for the Commissioner). Isn’t it better to just come clean and take your lumps? In this post, I explore the issue by looking at actual Board cases of employee violence and compare them to cases of licensee “cover-ups” [read more]

Emancipation Day extended hours. ABRA’s extended hours program allows licensees to stay open later on and around certain enumerated holidays and other events. The next extended hour opportunity comes on April 16, 2018, Emancipation Day. Participation in the extended hour program requires advance registration and some establishments are not eligible due to Settlement Agreement restrictions. To find out more visit ABRA’s 2018 extended hours calendar and fact sheet.

Quarterly statements are due on April 30, 2018, for restaurant & hotel licensees. Hotels and Restaurants have unique reporting requirements since the proportion of food to alcohol they sell is limited by law. It is important for covered entities to timely file their statements. There is no reason to suffer a fine and a violation strike against your license for not getting your paperwork filed on time. Books and Records Training for Restaurants & Hotels. ABRA puts on a number of free training sessions each year to help licensees with the operating standards to which they will be held. In an ever-changing regulatory environment, it is important for owners to keep up to date. Additionally, getting some face time with ABRA personnel, so they see you as an engaged owner, making efforts at compliance, is a very positive way to spend your time. April 26, 2018, 2 sessions 9-11 AM and 2-4 PM. [read more]

I hope that you have found this content beneficial. If you have additional questions, I welcome further discussion. If you have general questions or a legal issue involving your liquor license, please, visit my website – book a free case evaluation with me – or simply give me a call and I would be glad to set aside some time to speak with you.