Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Center
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District of Columbia
These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 3, 2020.
For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in the District of Columbia, we recommend that you visit D.C.'s COVID-19 Recovery Resources or Food Resources.
Description of Program and Relief
Sales of Beer, Wine, or Spirits for Takeout or Delivery
As part of the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020, select Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) licensees that register with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (“Board”) may temporarily sell beer, wine, or spirits in closed containers to individuals for carry-out to their home, or may deliver beer, wine, or spirits in closed containers to the homes of District residents, provided that each such carry-out or delivery order is accompanied by one or more prepared food items. The prepared food requirement is not satisfied by pre-packaged items, such as chips.
Government or Lead Agency
Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
Dates Available
From March 17, 2020 until the end of the Public Emergency and Public Health Emergency
Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions
Eligible establishments are limited to ABC-licensed:
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Food retailers with commercial street footage at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
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Hotels
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Multipurpose facilities
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Nightclubs
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Private clubs
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Restaurants
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Taverns
Before an eligible ABC licensee can commence alcoholic beverage carry-out and delivery sales, it must register with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (“ABRA”) and confirm receipt of an email approving them to proceed. There is no fee to register. Establishments found ineligible to participate will be contacted and must immediately cease sales. Once appropriately authorized, beer, wine, and spirits can be sold for carry-out and delivery with prepared food between 7:00 a.m. and midnight. Deliveries of alcoholic beverages may only be made to residences located in D.C. Third party vendors are permitted to deliver alcoholic beverages on behalf of ABC-licensed establishments.
The Coronavirus Omnibus Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (the “Omnibus Act”), which was signed into law on May 13, 2020, expanded the rights of registered retailers to allow them to sell alcohol in closed containers (along with the requisite food item) at one location in addition to the licensed premises. Approval from the Board is not required for the additional registration so long as the retailer follows a number of guidelines, including separately registering and receiving written authorization from the ABRA for such additional location, confirming the additional location has a valid certificate of occupancy (unless the location is outdoors) and insuring the additional location is in a commercial or mixed-use zone within D.C. The additional licensed premises cannot be located on public space unless such space has been issued a public space permit by the District Department of Transportation. Any registered retailer may only offer alcohol for carry-out or delivery at such additional location between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and midnight for up to thirty days unless the Board approves a request to extend such right, which it may do for up to one additional 30-day period. Any further extensions will require a completed application be filed with the Board and public notice posted.
The Omnibus Act also clarified that if a licensed establishment is closed during the period in which a Public Health Emergency is in effect, such closure does not trigger the 21-day clock in terms of the licensee being required to notify the Board of its closure and to surrender the license issued by ABRA.
Application Deadlines (If Applicable)
N/A
Contact for More Information
List of Additional Information
© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.