The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City on Nov. 20 approved a string of hardship extensions and reopenings for local alcohol licenses and imposed fines following contested violation hearings. The board granted multiple 180‑day hardship extensions and approved reopening requests after applicants and their counsel cited stalled sales, tax holds and administrative issues.

Among the routine approvals, the board voted to grant 180‑day hardship extensions for Lumbini Restaurant (Neha Inc.), Monumental Lodge No. 3 (Whitaker/Walker), Howard Bar Shop, Downtown Lounge (414 LLC), Smith’s Place (Ticuz Inc.), Naked Grill Sushi & Yakitori, Bay Island Seafood and others after applicants produced written requests and gave testimony explaining delays. Counsel Melvin Jacobs and attorney Steven W. Fogleman represented several applicants and urged the board to allow additional time while owners settled outstanding administrative or ownership matters.

The board also moved against multiple licensees for rule or code violations. William Hughes of Barracuda acknowledged using an unlicensed outdoor seating area after paperwork was lost in a fire; the board found violations of rules 4.181 and 4.182 for unlicensed outdoor seating and rule 4.16 (illegal conduct) and assessed fines and 30 days pay as ordered by the chair. Donald Savoy of Indulge Nightclub admitted lapses in maintaining employee records and invoices and said corrective steps were taken; the board found violations of records‑related rules (3.031 and 3.033) and of rule 4.152 (practices and obscenity) and imposed fines with a 30‑day payment window.

The board issued a $2,000 fine and 30 days pay to Rosie’s Sports Bar following a finding that the establishment engaged in after‑hours activity in violation of Maryland Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis §12‑2007(a); the board characterized this as a second offense, which triggers a statutory minimum fine. At Mirage/Ultra Lounge (trading as Mirage), the board found sanitation and safety and records violations related to indoor hookah use and a misnamed trailer/trader license; the chair announced a $22,500 fine for the sanitation violation and $1,000 for the records violation with 30 days to pay. In several other matters the board imposed fines in the low hundreds for rule breaches after admissions or determinations during the hearing.

Board staff and inspectors testified in multiple cases, citing inspection reports, photos and videos. Inspector Jordan, Agent Taro and other board agents provided the investigative details the board used to reach its findings. In several hearings the board emphasized owners’ need to maintain records on premises, keep alcohol invoices available for inspections and ensure employee training and access to required certifications.

The board recessed and adjourned at the close of the docket and scheduled its next session for Dec. 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

Quotes from participants in the record include Barracuda owner William Hughes saying, “I apologize for it happening. I didn’t have a clue that I wasn’t able to do it,” and counsel Steven W. Fogleman noting on behalf of a small restaurant that the license is a “minor part” of the business but an important amenity. The board’s actions included both discretionary hardship relief and statutory fines imposed where the code or the board’s rules required minimum penalties.

The board’s written minutes and the charging documents entered into the record provide the specific rule citations and fine calculations for each matter heard.