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
Announcement: In accordance with House Bill 733/Senate Bill 895 adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in the 2024 legislative session, the new alcoholic beverage licensing fees in Baltimore City are as follows.
Copy of the updated fee listing
Press Release: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) would like to remind all stakeholders about the end of the 2024 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
Press Release: On Friday, February 16, 2024 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) will be moving its offices to 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2300, Baltimore, MD 21202, and will close its office currently located at 1 N. Charles St., Suite 1500, Baltimore, MD 21201, at 12:30pm to facilitate the moving process.
Effective Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. the BLLC will be open for business to the public to conduct all regularly scheduled business at its new offices located at to 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2300.
Press Release: On Friday, January 12, 2024, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced personnel changes for the agency. Effective Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the agency will welcome Michelle Wirzberger, Esq., as the new Deputy Executive Secretary. The Board thanks Nicholas Blendy, Esq., outgoing Deputy Executive Secretary, for his work and commitment in advancing the agency’s goals and efforts.
Ms. Wirzberger comes to the BLLC having most recently served as Chief of Staff to Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley. In her time at the BPD, she also served as Director of Legislative Affairs, and prior to that the Chief of the Consent Decree Implementation Unit.
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 Edward L. Reisinger
- Commissioner Granville Templeton, III, Esq.
- Alternate Commissioner Harvey E. Jones