Overview

Alcohol manufacturers in the District of Columbia can apply to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) for several types of permits and endorsements that allow the manufacturer to expand their operations. This allows manufacturers to expand operating, permit and endorsement hours to 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Sunday (seven nights a week). It also allows manufacturers to apply for entertainment endorsements. A manufacturer that has already been issued a permit/endorsement and that wants to operate during the new hours of 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Sunday (seven nights a week) would need to apply for a change of hours by completing the form below. The form below may also be completed to apply for a manufacturer permit or endorsement.

The following permits and endorsements are available to manufacturers.

ON-SITE SALES AND CONSUMPTION PERMIT The permit allows a portion of the licensed premises to be used to sell, serve and allow customers to consume products manufactured by the facility during the hours of 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Sunday (seven days a week).

TASTING PERMIT A tasting permit is required to provide samples of products to customers at no cost. A tasting permit allows a portion of the licensed premises to be used for the sampling of products during the hours of 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Sunday (seven days a week). If a manufacturer has an on-site sales and consumption permit, the manufacturer is still required to obtain a tasting permit to provide product samples at no cost.

SIDEWALK CAFÉ/SUMMER GARDEN ENDORSEMENTS A sidewalk café or summer garden endorsement may be applied for if the manufacturer also holds an on-site sales and consumption permit. The endorsements allow the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages on outdoor space. A sidewalk café endorsement would be issued for outdoor public space. A summer garden endorsement would be issued for outdoor private space. A manufacturer is permitted to conduct business on a sidewalk café or summer garden from 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Sunday (seven days a week).

ENTERTAINMENT ENDORSEMENT An entertainment endorsement may be applied for if the manufacturer also holds an on-site sales and consumption permit. Entertainment endorsements permit a manufacturer to provide entertainment, charge a cover, or offer facilities for dancing. A manufacturer could apply for one, two or all three types of entertainment endorsements. Entertainment may be provided during the hours of 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Sunday (seven days a week). 

To Apply

Applications can be submitted by mail, email or in person at ABCA's offices.

Valid Period and Fees

Fees are as following: 

• Annual fee for an on-site sales and consumption permit is $1,000.
• Annual fee for a tasting permit is $130.
• Annual fee for a sidewalk café or summer garden endorsement is $75.
• Annual fee for an entertainment endorsement is 20 percent of the cost of the annual licensing fee.