Washington DC Liquor/ABC License

Today was my first time applying for a DC liquor/ABC license and I thought I would share my experience to help those who might be need to get the same thing.

First, go to the DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration's website. If you are getting a license for a wedding, you will either need a Temporary/One-Day Class F (beer & wine) or Class G (beer, wine & spirit) license. Print out all the forms, instructions, and fees schedule.

Second, get a police clearance from DC and from your local police station of which you live (if you don't live in DC). The location for DC Police is on the instruction form. Basically, they do a background check to make sure you are not wanted for something evil. Fill out the application form and get it notarized. There are NO notaries at the ABC office so do this before going to the ABC office.

Third, get a letter from your venue (content of letter listed in instructions). Also get their certificate of occupancy and a floor plan for the event.

Don't even think about trekking down to the ABC office until you have EVERYTHING done correctly. Feel free to call the office to confirm that you have all the right paperwork.

Be sure that your caterer who will be serving the alcohol is licensed to do business in DC because the Tax and Revenue people will check.

Now, you can go to the ABC building at 941 N. Capitol Street NE. You may have someone take the forms in for you. Take your Clean Hands form to the Tax and Revenue office on the 1st floor. They will check to make sure you don't owe any money to the city and stamp your form. Take your application, the 2 police clearances, the venue letter, occupancy certificate, and floorplan, along with a valid drivers license to Ste. 7200 in the same building. If someone is bringing the application in for you, remember to give him/her a photocopy of your driver's license. They use the license to check the age of the applicant (you). They will process your paper work and give you some forms to take back down to the cashier's office on the 1st floor to pay for the license. Check website for fees. You can pay by check or credit card. Take your stamped form back up to the 7th floor.

Now, the receptionist at the ABC office told me that first thing in the morning is the best time to go. It's pretty busy at lunch time. I got there around noon and it took me about 1.5 hours to get all the work done. Allot another hour each for both clearances.

Now, what they do is submit the paper work to the ABC board for approval. According to the website, the board meets on Wednesdays. The lady that works there told me that they should be calling me on Thursday with the results. You must submit at least 10 days prior to your event. UPDATE: We picked up our license on Friday.

Good luck!