Unique Tavern License Up for Grabs in Georgetown

For the first time in 20 years, there is one tavern liquor license now available in Georgetown, which remains under a neighborhood liquor license moratorium.

Because the defunct Saloun, formerly at 3239 M Street, did not renew its tavern license, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board cancelled its license Oct. 30.

So, who has applied for this one-of-a-kind, tavern-nightclub license?

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration told the Georgetowner Nov. 18 that it “has received two applications for the tavern license in Georgetown. Gypsy Sally’s Acoustic Tavern LLC, trading as Gypsy Sally’s at 3401 Water St., NW, applied to transfer its restaurant license to become a tavern in Georgetown. The second is from Restaurant Enterprises, Inc., trading as Smith Point at 1338 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. They also submitted an application to transfer their alcoholic beverage license from a restaurant to a tavern in the area. Applications are being reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.”

 
Last week, ABRA announced: ” … Restrictions  have  temporarily  been  lifted  on  alcoholic beverage  licenses  for  taverns  in  the  Georgetown  Historic  District.  The  change  occurred  after  the  number  of  licensed   taverns  within  the  historic  area  fell  below  a  legislative  cap  of  six. … Taverns  located  in  the  Georgetown  Historic  District  are  permitted  to  transfer  alcoholic  beverage  licenses  to   new  owners  and  new  locations  within  the  area.  An  existing  restaurant  in  the  historic  district  will  also  be  able  to  apply  to   become  a  tavern  or  nightclub  in  the  neighborhood.  Applications  to  make  any  of  the  changes  would  need  to  be  filed  with   the  Alcoholic  Beverage  Regulation  Administration for  consideration  by  the  Alcoholic  Beverage  Control  Board.”

“The  Alcoholic  Beverage  Control  Act  and  Rules  Reform  Amendment  Act  of  1994  freezes  the  transfer  or   sale  of  tavern  and  nightclub  licenses  in  the  Georgetown  Historic  District  when  there  are  six  or  more  taverns  and/or  nightclubs  licensed  in  the  area,” according to ABRA.

There are no nightclubs licensed in Georgetown. Once a sixth tavern license is issued, ABRA noted, “the  ability  to  transfer  tavern  licenses will  end  once  the  legislative  cap  of  six  taverns  and/or  nightclubs  is  reached  in  the   Georgetown  Historic  District.”

There are five neighborhood moratoriums in effect in D.C.: Adams Morgan, East Duport Circle, Georgetown, Glover Park and West Dupont Circle.