Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. & Cannabis § 20-1008
Redline — January 1, 2019 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2025
As of January 1, 2019
(a) In this section, “drafthouse” means a theater where:
(1) a motion picture is shown to the public; and
(2) patrons may purchase food, beer, wine, and liquor on the premises while watching the motion picture.
(a) There is a Class EC (entertainment center) license.
(c) (1) The Board may issue the license to an applicant for use in a drafthouse that:
(i) has a minimum auditorium size of 3,500 square feet;
(ii) has a minimum investment of at least $150,000 in tangible property, including kitchen equipment, furniture, and interior improvements;
(iii) presents a family matinee every Saturday and holiday that the drafthouse is open for business;
(iv) intends to provide beer, wine, and liquor at tables and seats in the drafthouse; and
(v) does not have a bar other than a service bar.
(2) Before the Board may issue the license, the applicant shall obtain the Board’s prior written approval of the menu the drafthouse intends to offer, which shall include both hot and cold food.
(d) (1) The license authorizes the license holder to sell beer, wine, and liquor at retail in the drafthouse described in the license for on–premises consumption.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the license holder may make beer, wine, and liquor available for purchase only before and during a motion picture show and shall end service at the end of the motion picture.
(3) The license holder may not make alcoholic beverages available for purchase when showing a family matinee.
(b) The Board may issue the license to a person for use in conjunction with:
(1) a Class 7 micro–brewery license that the person then obtains from the Executive Director; or
(2) a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license that the person has been issued by the Board.
(c) (1) The Class EC license authorizes the license holder to sell, in an entertainment center for on–premises consumption:
(i) malt beverages that are brewed in the license holder’s micro–brewery, if the license holder also holds a Class 7 micro–brewery license; or
(ii) beer, wine, and liquor, if the license holder also holds a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license.
(2) The entertainment center may:
(i) contain:
1. rides and games such as bowling lanes, billiard tables, and go–carts; and
2. one or more food service facilities, bars, or lounges; and
(ii) allow the playing of music and dancing.
(d) The Board may issue not more than 10 licenses to the same license holder.
(e) The license holder may sell beer, wine, and liquor during the hours and days as set out for a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license under § 20–2005 of this title.
(e) The license holder may sell beer, wine, and liquor during the hours and days as set out for a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license under § 20–2005 of this title.
(f) A license holder may charge an admission fee to the drafthouse.
(f) The annual Class EC license fee is $1,500.
(2) The fee shall be:
(i) paid before the license is issued; and
(ii) distributed as provided under this article.
Official source: Maryland General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Maryland statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.