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Baltimore City liquor board approves multiple license transfers and new permits, including Lexington Market
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Summary
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City on March 26 approved a string of hardship extensions, ownership transfers and new licenses — including a public‑market license for Lexington Market — while conditioning approvals on memoranda of understanding with neighborhood groups.
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City approved several license actions on March 26, 2026, granting hardship extensions, transfers and new restaurant and tavern licenses while incorporating community memoranda of understanding as enforceable conditions.
At the start of the meeting the board granted a 180‑day hardship extension to Baltimore Sports Bar, LLC (The Penthouse Club) for its Class B/D7 beer, wine and liquor license and Class AE adult entertainment license after counsel cited city permitting delays and material‑sourcing issues. The board also approved a 90‑day transfer hardship for Vivian’s (3100 E. Baltimore St.) on counsel’s representation of a sales‑tax related delay.
Several transfers and new licenses were approved by voice vote. The board cleared an amended transfer and relocation for Baltimore Spice, allowing off‑premises catering and delivery; approved a new Class B restaurant license for Swan House (909 N. Charles St.) subject to a neighborhood MOU; and licensed Ovenberg Bakery (Highlandtown) for on‑premises alcohol with live entertainment, outdoor table service and off‑premises catering contingent on an executed MOU and compliance with the 46th Senate District food‑sales requirement.
Counsel for Ovenberg, Brooke Hutchins, told the board the Highlandtown project would represent a capital investment exceeding $1,000,000 and that live entertainment would be limited in scope and hours under the MOU. "We executed that MOU," Hutchins said, adding the applicant would follow exterior noise limits and tip‑certification requirements.
The board granted a new Class B D7 license to Urbano Baltimore to operate inside the Rye Street Market (Port Covington). Counsel described Urbano as a Tex‑Mex tavern concept with on‑site management, surveillance cameras and TIP‑certified staff. The board also reinstated a public market license for Lexington Market with vendor‑control measures limiting alcoholic beverage sales to a subset of vendors and hours; the applicant noted the market renovation exceeded the $5,000,000 statutory capital threshold.
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that approvals incorporating MOUs would be enforceable by the board. Chair (recorded as the presiding commissioner) and at least two fellow commissioners announced votes in favor of each approved application, with the approvals recorded on the public record.
Votes at a glance: - Penthouse Club (615 Fallsway): 180‑day hardship extension — approved (voice votes recorded in favor). - Vivian’s (3100 E. Baltimore St.): 90‑day transfer hardship — approved. - Swan House (909 N. Charles St.): new Class B restaurant license — approved subject to MOU. - Baltimore Spice (413 W. Baltimore St.): amended transfer with catering/delivery — approved. - Ovenberg Bakery (3925 Goff/Golf St.): new Class B restaurant license with live entertainment/outdoor seating — approved subject to MOU and food‑sales compliance. - Urbano (Rye Street Market): new Class B D7 license — approved. - Lexington Market (public market license): approved with vendor rules limiting alcohol sales; live entertainment/outdoor table service and off‑premises catering approved.
The board closed its session and recessed until April 9, 2026. Several applicants were reminded by commissioners to maintain open lines of communication with neighborhood groups and to ensure MOUs are finalized and filed with the board.
