§ 22-2501

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and otherwise provided in this article, a person may not knowingly allow the consumption, possession, or transfer of alcoholic beverages in an establishment that is a restaurant, tavern, hotel, club, dance studio, disco, or place of public entertainment if:

(1) the establishment is not licensed by the Board;

(2) the person possesses or controls the establishment as owner, lessee, or user; and

(3) the establishment is:

(i) open to the public or licensed by the State; or

(ii) licensed by the State or a county unit other than the Board.

(b) (1) The prohibition under subsection (a) of this section does not apply to:

(i) the room of a registered guest in a hotel, motel, or hospice; or

(ii) the property of:

1. a volunteer fire company;

2. a catering establishment;

3. a community or civic association;

4. a swim club;

5. a social, civic, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal, patriotic, educational, or public service organization; or

6. a religious institution that has been in existence for at least 3 years.

(2) The Board may exempt a place similar to one listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection on a case–by–case basis.

(3) The Board shall adopt regulations to administer this subsection.

(c) An owner, a manager, or an employee of an establishment subject to the prohibitions of this section who knowingly allows the prohibited consumption in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.