February 22, 2021
"As a result of improved health metrics associated with Covid-19 in Frederick County, County Executive Jan Gardner today announced that Executive Order 02-2021, which temporarily limited the hours of operation and the late night sale of alcohol at local food establishments, will be permitted to expire today, February 22, 2021." For more information click HERE.

February 5, 2021
The Frederick County Liquor Board has been working with our local and state partners to get a better understanding on the order and it’s intent.  The information below comes directly from the County Executive’s newest order.  

The Liquor Board is asking our licensed establishments to use good judgement in following the10pm cut off of alcohol.  We are asking that you make every reasonable effort to finalize the sale of alcohol prior to 10pm.  A patron may finish a drink purchased prior to 10pm. 

Broken down it prohibits:

1.  The sale of alcohol to be drunk on premises between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
2. BYOB to be drunk on premises between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

It does not state that alcohol must be off the tables at 10:00 p.m. Again, the Liquor Board emphasizes the use of good judgement when allowing a patron to finish a drink purchased prior to10pm.

Jan’s Executive Order:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAN H. GARDNER, COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CHARTER AND LAWS OF FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND THE LAWS OF MARYLAND, AND SPECIFICALLY GOVERNOR’S ORDER 21-01-28-01, HEREBY DECLARE THAT: 

1. FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS. THE PROVISIONS OF THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER 21-01-28-01 ALLOWING FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS TO REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 P.M. AND 6:00 A.M. BEGINNING AT 12:01 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 1, 2021, SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE IN FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, WITH THE MODIFICATIONS BELOW, UNTIL 12:01 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2021, AND MAY BE REEVALUATED AT THAT TIME. 

 A) FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS MAY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10:00 P.M. AND MIDNIGHT; AND

B) FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS MAY NOT PERMIT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO OCCUR ON PREMISES, INCLUDING MUSIC, KARAOKE, OR DANCING, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 P.M. AND 6:00 A.M.; AND

C) FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS MAY NOT SELL ALCOHOL FOR CONSUMPTION ON PREMISES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 P.M. AND 2:00 A.M., OR ALLOW ALCOHOL TO BE BROUGHT ONTO THE PREMISES TO BE CONSUMED BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10:00 P.M. AND 2:00 A.M.

February 1, 2021
The Frederick County Board of License Commissioners (also known as the “Liquor Board”) is committed to helping control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within Frederick County.  Accordingly, the Liquor Board’s staff will investigate any complaint it receives regarding an alleged violation of any applicable Executive Orders of either the Governor of the State of Maryland and of the County Executive of Frederick County.  This includes, without limitation, any complaints received regarding violations of occupancy requirements, mask wearing and hours of operation.  

Any foodservice establishment that has a Class B or Class C license issued by the Liquor Board and does not comply with the applicable executive orders is subject to being issued a violation by the Liquor Board pursuant to the Maryland Alcoholic Beverages Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  In addition, the Liquor Board staff may, if appropriate, refer any such matters to the Maryland Department of Health, which regulates foodservice establishments.  

County Executive Gardner’s Executive Order No. 01-2021, dated January 29, 2021, sets forth the currently applicable requirements with respect to the hours of operation for foodservice establishments within the County.  If a municipality within Frederick County has taken official action to follow the Governor’s Executive Order No. 21-01-28-01 with respect to hours of operation, then a Class B or Class C licensee in such municipality will not be subject to the County’s Executive Order with respect to the hours of operation requirements in said order.  

If you have any questions or complaints, you may e-mail them to liquorboard@FrederickCountyMD.gov or call (301) 600-2984. 

January 29, 2021
Per County Executive Jan Gardner, Frederick County will stay at the 10pm closing time for bars and restaurants. For more information and Executive Gardner full text of Executive Order 01-2021 click HERE.

January 25, 2021
The Frederick County Liquor Board is currently working on updating the Alcohol Beverages Regulations. The Board has developed two documents; one tracking the changes  to easily identify what has been changed, and the other accepting those changes for an easier to read version.  The Board will vote on these changes in a public hearing scheduled for February 8, 2021. Questions or comments regarding these changes should be emailed to the Liquor Board at LiquorBoard@FrederickCountyMD.gov.