MarylandBaltimore restaurants get license options as district alcohol hours change
Two restaurants can seek alcohol licenses under neighborhood and Board conditions, while most license holders in four district areas face set selling hours.
What it does
Two restaurants in the 40th district may receive beer, wine, and liquor licenses if they sign neighborhood agreements and the Board waives the usual seating minimum.
In four defined parts of the 40th district, most alcohol license holders may sell only from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m.; several license types are excluded.
Argument forTwo restaurants could serve beer, wine, and liquor if they sign neighborhood agreements and meet the Board’s conditions.
Argument againstThe set selling hours may limit when customers can buy alcohol from covered businesses, including places near West North Avenue.
More detail
The Board may issue a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license for each of two restaurants. One restaurant must be on the odd side of the 1000 block of West Baltimore Street; the other must be on the even side of the 800 block of North Charles Street. Each applicant must sign an agreement with the neighborhood association named for that location. The Board must waive the usual minimum seating requirement. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
Most alcohol license holders in four defined areas of the 40th district may sell alcohol only from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. The rule covers license holders in the listed areas of Baltimore City’s 40th alcoholic beverages district. The rule applies in four defined areas, including West North Avenue and locations within 250 yards of that area. Several license types are excluded, including some restaurant and Class C licenses, arenas, marketplaces, and municipal family fun centers. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 822Became Law
- Apr 10Returned Passed
- Apr 10Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 10Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 10Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 26
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 20Referred Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 19Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 18Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 18Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 18Favorable with Amendments Report by FinanceMinor
- Mar 6Hearing 3/13 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 4Rereferred to Finance
- Mar 3
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 14First Reading Senate RulesIntroduced