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Time to fix D.C.'s liquor licensing mess
By Mark Lee for Washington Blade
June 20, 2012
It’s a pity that hearings conducted by the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board are not videotaped.
If they were, every D.C. Council member and the mayor could be strapped in chairs and forced to view the entire mind-numbing 4-1/2 hour alcohol licensing protest hearing held last week that proved to be a stunning illustration of what is wrong with the city’s current regulatory process. District elected officials would eyeball firsthand the mess they have allowed to plague restaurant and bar alcohol licensing procedures for far too long.
The infamous seven-year battle waged by a group of only six Dupont Circle area objectors against respected and award-winning restaurant Hank’s Oyster Bar exemplifies problems inherent in the current licensing system. The popular neighborhood business operated by lesbian chef-owner Jamie Leeds, located adjacent to the corner of 17th and Q streets, was forced to close half of its outdoor patio beginning on the day the recent Capital Pride parade floated by due to the relentless efforts of the required “gang of five or more” license protesters.
