Alcoholic Beverage Control

Alcohol service is a huge and positive part of the full service restaurant business. It is also a huge responsibility. Virginia, DC and Maryland each have its own laws and regulations governing the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. But what is the same across state lines is the ever changing regulatory landscape.

From new ABC laws to enforcement initiatives, RAMW is an advocate for fair and reasonable legislation and is your resource for information on the alcoholic beverage regulations that affect your business.

Sunday 8am Alcoholic Beverage Service Now Legal

December 1, 2011

Sunday 8amAlcoholic Beverage Service Now Legal Duein large part to RAMW’s efforts, on-premise licensees are now allowed to servealcoholic beverages on Sundays beginning at 8:00am if approved by The ABCBoard. Forthose that are eligible, the application to file a change of hours is on lineat www.abra.dc.gov and THERE IS NO APPLICATION FEE . Clickhere to see full letter from ABRA for details...Read more

Sunday 8am Alcoholic Beverage Service Now Legal

September 20, 2011

Due in largepart to RAMW’s efforts, on-premise licensees are now allowed to serve alcoholicbeverages on Sundays beginning at 8:00am if approved by The ABC Board. Forthose that are eligible, the application to file a change of hours is on lineat www.abra.dc.gov and THERE IS NO APPLICATION FEE . Clickhere to see full letter from ABRA for details...Read more

ABRA Import Permit Inspections Ramped Up

April 15, 2011

ABRA has stepped up inspections and enforcement of the regulations requiring import permits. A violation will likely result in a $2,000 fine, and possibly a suspension of your license. As an ABC licensee in the District, it is your responsibility to assure that the alcoholic beverages served in your business are purchased either from D.C. licensed wholesalers, or have been brought into the District and delivered to you under an import permit issued by ABRA. IT IS NOT THE OUT OF STATE WHOLESALER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROCURE THE IMPORT PERMIT, it is yours. An Import permit is required for...Read more

RAMW Weighs in on proposed Corkage Law in Virginia

February 9, 2011

Corkage Law Passes In Virginia House78-18…With A Nudge From RAMW February 22, 2011- With the passage in the Virginia House ofDelegates, SB1292, aka The Corkage Bill, will now go to the Governor’s officefor final signature. There is every indication that the Governor will sign thisBill. Corkage, which is common in many jurisdictions across the country including theDistrict of Columbia, will allow restaurants the choice of offering corkageservice to their patrons. This optional service will allow patrons to bringwine into an ABC licensed establishment for consumption on the...Read more

Extended Inauguration Hours (DC)

October 15, 2009

Former RAMW Chair (2007-9) Paul Cohn testifies in front of the DC Committee on Finance and Revenue and details how extending restaurant service hours during President Obama’s inauguration benefited the DC restaurant industry. Date: Feb 2009. Issue Status : Stemming from the success of the Inauguration, for 2009 ABRA is allowing on-premise ABC licensees to remainopen one extra hour and serve alcoholic beverages the night before DCand federal holidays. PDF File...Read more

DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA)

October 15, 2009

RAMW President Lynne Breaux testifies in front of the DC Committee on Public Works and Transportation in support of Fred Moosally’s appointment as new ABRA director. Date: June 2009. Issue Status : Mr. Moosally was confirmed as ABRA director in July 2009. PDF File RAMW President Lynne Breaux testifies at a public hearing on the Alcoholic Beverage Enforcement Act of 2008, outlining the excessive fees and culture of over-regulation persistent within ABRA. Date: Nov 2008. Issue Status : The 2008 Act passed and went into effect March 2009, butwith several positive changes, such as allowing...Read more

Government Testimony: Your Membership Dollars at Work

September 9, 2009

RAMW works hard to represent the interests of the metropolitan DC area restaurant community to local governments and representatives. We do this through direct lobbying of elected officials, information campaigns, and analyses of the large tax and regulatory burdens restaurants face. Another vital way we voice the concerns of our members is testimony in front of government committees and at public hearings. Below are some examples of testimony from RAMW’s leadership on key restaurant issues (grouped by issue). DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) RAMW President Lynne...Read more

Government Testimony

September 9, 2009

New ABRA Information Available Online

August 18, 2009

There are two exciting new changes that can be found on the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration’s (ABRA’s) website. These two changes are designed to improvecommunications between the Agency and the public, including licensees. The first change is ABRA’s new E-Feedback Form . This form is intended to allow licensees and members of the publicto submit their suggestions to improve the agency both on-line and inreal time from the ABRA website. ABRA looks forward to receiving yourcomments regarding how they can continue to improve. The E-FeedbackForm can also be faxed...Read more

New ABRA Information Available Online

July 23, 2009

New ABRA Information Available Online There are two exciting new changes that can be found on the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration ’s (ABRA’s) website. These two changes are designed to improvecommunications between the Agency and the public, including licensees. The first change is ABRA’s new E-Feedback Form . This form is intended to allow licensees and members of the publicto submit their suggestions to improve the agency both on-line and inreal time from the ABRA website. ABRA looks forward to receiving yourcomments regarding how they can continue to improve...Read more