Who needs a retailer’s license class C: restaurant (CR), tavern (CT) or nightclub (CN) in District of Columbia?
Issued by Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.
6 of the 20 kinds of business in District of Columbia
A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement. Apply with the lease, the floor plan, the certificate of occupancy and the Clean Hands certificate; ABCA posts a placard at the premises for 45 days, during which the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (within 600 feet) and groups of residents can protest, and a protested application goes to mediation and a Board hearing. Most applicants negotiate a settlement agreement with the ANC on hours and noise before the Board votes.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 5 of 6: Alcohol permits
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board.
Sources and dates
ABCA license fee and renewal schedule; D.C. Code 25-113 (on-premises retailer classes); ABCA new license application. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement.
Yes. A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement.
Yes. A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement.
Yes. A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement.
Yes. A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement.
Yes. A CR license needs a kitchen and food sales; a CT or CN serves drinks without the food requirement.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In District of Columbia it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board.
Step 5 of 6, alcohol permits. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax, approve the space and get the permits for your kind of business.
Who needs a retailer’s license class C in District of Columbia?
