Press Release Archives

Press Release: On Monday, January 4, 2021 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced personnel changes for the agency. The agency recognizes and thanks Mr. Thomas R. Akras, outgoing Deputy Executive Secretary, and welcomes a new member to the team, Mr. Nicholas T.R. Blendy, as the incoming Deputy Executive Secretary. The BLLC also announced the hiring of Ms. April Bennet-Burman to the role of Inspector I. To read the full press release with remarks for Mr. Akras and background for Mr. Blendy, click here. 

Announcement: On March 25, 2021 the BLLC released guidance for Baltimore City’s licensed establishments concerning Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Updated Executive Order as it pertains to licensee operations and requirements, which went into effect March 26, 2021, at 6AM. 

To see a copy of Mayor Scott’s Executive Order click here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Contract Tracing Restaurant Sign-In Sheet provided by the Baltimore City Health Department and Mayor Scott, please click here.

Announcement: On March 9, 2021 the BLLC released a statement concerning the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday. In anticipation of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday, the BLLC reminds all our stakeholders that we remain amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. Pub Craws / Tours remain prohibited and licensees and the public should expect to see an increased presence from the BLLC staff to monitor establishments to ensure they are in compliance with current restrictions. We encourage members of the general public to review the clarifications below, and we also remind licensees of BLLC’s expectations of them in our full release, found here.

Announcement: On March 12, 2021 the BLLC released guidance for Baltimore City’s licensed establishments concerning Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Updated Executive Order as it pertains to licensee operations and requirements, which went into effect March 12, 2021, at 6am. 
 
This guidance and the Mayor’s Executive Order supersede Governor Hogan’s announcement. The BLLC reminds all our stakeholders that we remain amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. Additionally, Pub Crawls / Tours remain prohibited and licensees and the public should expect to see an increased presence from the BLLC staff to monitor establishments to ensure they are in compliance with current restrictions. 

To see a copy of Mayor Scott’s Executive Order click here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Contract Tracing Restaurant Sign-In Sheet provided by the Baltimore City Health Department and Mayor Scott, please click here.

Announcement: On March 5, 2021 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) released updated guidance for Baltimore City’s licensed establishments concerning Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s updated Executive Order as it relates to Mayor Scott’s Revised Executive Order and restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining, effective March 5, 2021, at 3pm.

The updated guidance reflects the allowance of adult entertainment live performances, and provides clarification on capacity and inspections expectations for licensees.

To see a copy of Governor Hogan’s  Executive Order, please click here. To see a copy of Mayor Scott’s Executive Order click here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Contract Tracing Restaurant Sign-In Sheet provided by the Baltimore City Health Department and Mayor Scott, please click here.

Announcement: On February 19, 2021 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) released guidance for Baltimore City’s licensed establishments concerning Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s updated Executive Order as it relates to Mayor Scott’s Revised Executive Order and restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining, effective February 22, 2021. To see a copy of Governor Hogan’s  Executive Order, please click here. To see a copy of Mayor Scott’s Executive Order click here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Contract Tracing Restaurant Sign-In Sheet provided by the Baltimore City Health Department and Mayor Scott, please click here.

Announcement: On February 1, 2021 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) released guidance for Baltimore City’s licensed establishments concerning Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s updated Executive Order as it relates to Mayor Scott’s Executive Order and restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining. To see a copy of Governor Hogan’s  Executive Order, please click here. To see a copy of Mayor Scott’s Executive Order and Phase One Flyer, please click here and here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Contract Tracing Restaurant Sign-In Sheet provided by the Baltimore City Health Department and Mayor Scott, please click here..

Announcement: On January 21, 2021 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) released guidance for Baltimore City’s licensed establishments concerning Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Mayoral Executive Order Restricting Gatherings and Indoor and Outdoor Dining issued on January 21, 2021, which becomes effective on January 22, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. To see a copy of Mayor Scott’s Executive Order and Phase One Flyer, please click here and here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Contract Tracing Restaurant Sign-In Sheet provided by the Baltimore City Health Department and Mayor Scott, please click here.

Announcement: On November 9, 2020, Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young announced a new $6.5 million grant fund that will be available, specifically, for restaurants in Baltimore City. This funding is made available by the State of Maryland to help offset COVID-related expenses incurred or to be incurred, by restaurants. The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) will administer these funds and will begin taking applications starting Thursday, November 12 through November 24. These grants will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A portion of the funds will also be used to support the Baltimore Public Markets. The maximum grant award is $50,000.

Full grant criteria, terms and conditions, and the link to the application will be posted at www.baltimoretogether.com.  The intent is to distribute these much-needed grant funds to local restaurants by the end of the calendar year. The information packet can be viewed here.