Update

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners is an agency of the State responsible for regulating the sale, storage, and distribution of retail alcoholic beverages in Baltimore City.

Announcement

Press Release: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) would like to remind all stakeholders about the recent end of the 2023 License Renewal period. In order for a licensed establishment to operate legally, renewals must have been processed and a new license displayed on premises by May 1st. BLLC will continue to monitor for compliance and actively address any licensed establishments that have not yet completed the process.

ANY LICENSEE NOT DISPLAYING A VALID LICENSE WILL BE POSTERED BY BLLC INSPECTORS AS CLOSED TO ALCOHOL SALES UNTIL THE RENEWAL PROCESS IS COMPLETED.

Licensees and the general public can read more in the full Press Release

Announcement: On March 1, 2023, the alcoholic beverages license renewal process for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) begins. As per State law, the license renewal season ends on March 31, 2023. Renewal letters, 2023 Renewal Applications, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet have been sent out to all alcoholic beverage licensees. The renewal application, along with the FAQ sheet, and other applicable renewal documents, can be downloaded from the BLLC’s Renewal Webpage.

Announcement: The BLLC would like to announce a that a drop box is now available so that applicants, attorneys, and others are now able to deliver documents to our office. Please note that aside from the Drop Box option, the BLLC office remains closed to the general public.

Guidelines for Drop Box Use:
-The Drop Box is located outside of the office, accessible for public use as permitted into the building and onto the office floor by building security.
-The Drop Box is available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
-Deposited items and documents should be NO LARGER THAN STANDARD LETTER SIZE.
-All deposited items MUST BE IN A STANDARD LETTER-SIZED ENVELOPE and should contain a clear description of the item(s) contained therein.
-The Drop Box is available for drop off usage only due to health and safety reasons necessitated by the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
-Members of the public who drop off documents should not wait in the elevator area or in the building generally for a response.
-BLLC is not responsible for any loose items or those without an envelope or clear description of their purpose. Any loose or unidentifiable items—including, but not limited to, single checks, money orders, or other negotiable instruments—will be catalogued and marked for destruction.

Please review further guidelines for processing and receipt of Drop Box items in our Standard Operating Procedures 2.26. For any questions, please contact the offices at 410-396-4377.

See Something Say Something

If you would like to report what you believe to be a liquor board violation, please call 311 to report the matter or call our offices at 410-396-4377 during normal business hours and speak to Chief Inspector John Chrissomallis. Also, note that a Baltimore City Police Department (BCPD) tip line and direct email address has been established for complaints regarding illegal bar activity. You can contact the Vice Unit of the BCPD directly via email or you can call at 443-984-7080.

Addiction Service Access: Do you or someone you know struggle with addiction? Call Baltimore’s 24/7 hotline at 410-433-5175 for help getting treatment. For more information about resources to treat addiction and prevent overdose, please visit the Baltimore City Addiction Website.

Postponement Requests

POSTPONEMENT requests must be received via e-mail, fax, or regular mail.
All postponement requests must be addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Liquor Board Douglas K. Paige and received in this office NO LATER than Monday, 4:30 pm, of the week of the scheduled hearing.

Background

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City was created by Act of the State Legislature after the repeal of the Volstead Act in 1933. Prior to Prohibition, alcoholic beverage licenses were issued directly by the Clerk of what was then referred to as the Court of Common Pleas. There was little intervention on the part of the public, zoning or other authorities, and alcoholic beverage licenses were routinely issued as in the case of Trader's Licenses, marriage licenses, etc.

When the Volstead Act was repealed, it became apparent that appropriate controls and licensing of alcoholic beverages at the retail level were necessary for the State of Maryland to ensure public safety. Boards of Liquor License Commissioners were, therefore, created in all of the political subdivisions in the State of Maryland by an act of the Maryland General Assembly. Passed in 2016, the Alcoholic Beverages Article is the controlling alcoholic beverage statute for the State of Maryland.

There have been many changes in the law since 1933, and at each session of the Maryland General Assembly, new laws and statutes are introduced and passed which affect the operation of alcoholic beverage establishments in Baltimore City and throughout the State of Maryland.

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City is an agency of the State. Every two years, the Mayor of Baltimore City and the City Council President, with the advice and consent of the City Senate, appoints three individuals to serve as Commissioners on the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City, one of whom is designated as the Chairman. As a body, the Board administers the statutes, laws, ordinances, and its own Rules and Regulations regarding the operation of alcoholic beverage establishments in Baltimore City. Currently, there are approximately 1,221 alcoholic beverage establishments in Baltimore City which is a reduction from the approximately 2,200 licenses there were in 1968.

Commissioners

Chairman Hon. Albert J. Matricciani, Jr. (Ret.)
Commissioner Aaron J. Greenfield, Esq.
Commissioner Edward L. Reisinger
Alternate Commissioner Harvey E. Jones