Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D – Ward 5) introduced a bill today that will provide a process for artisan alcohol manufacturers to apply for outdoor seating.
Currently, breweries, wineries and distilleries with either a tasting permit or a sales permit can serve samples or sell their products for consumption within their facility. Endorsements for sidewalk cafés and summer gardens have been unavailable to manufacturer licensees because the brewery, winery and distillery industries in the District are still relatively new and burgeoning.
The “Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Sidewalk Café Endorsement Amendment Act of 2015” will allow breweries, wineries, and distilleries that possess a tasting license or sales permit to apply for a sidewalk café or summer garden endorsement. “The brewery, winery and distillery industries have been fantastic examples of the adaptive reuse of industrial land which I have championed since taking office,” stated McDuffie. “This bill builds on that success by allowing them to apply for sidewalk cafés or summer gardens, which could further enhance the aesthetic quality of their business and the surrounding neighborhood. Moreover, the District stands to gain from any potential increase in tax revenue.”
“We are excited to work with the Council on Councilmember McDuffie’s bill,” added Justin Cox, Founder & CEO of Atlas Works. “Outdoor space will make our guests’ experience even more enjoyable, and help continue attracting visitors to our Ivy City neighborhood.” The bill was co-introduced by the entire Council of the District of Columbia.
Councilmember McDuffie has introduced several bills to sustain and expand the brewery and distillery industry in the District of Columbia:
- The “Manufacturer Tasting Permit Second Amendment Act of 2014” allows liquor and wine distillers to offer their products for consumption on premises.
- The “District of Columbia Distillery Pub Licensure Act of 2013” creates a new distillery pub permit for an establishment that manufactures alcoholic spirits for on-premises consumption, resale to other licensees, or sale to patrons for off-premises consumption.
- The “Manufacturers’ Sunday Sale Amendment Act of 2013” allows manufacturers (breweries, distilleries, and wineries) to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages between 7:00 AM and midnight, seven days a week (before the bill passed, the law did not allow manufacturers to sell their products on Sundays, which significantly hampered this growing industry).
- The “Manufacturer Tasting Permit Amendment of 2013” authorizes licensed manufacturers to offer tastings of spirits and beers between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM, seven days per week (previously, tastings were only authorized Thursday through Saturday.
