Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensing Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frederick County liquor board grants conditional approvals to several restaurants and venues
Summary
At its Feb. 9 meeting the Board of License Commissioners granted conditional approvals or transfers for The Banyan (rooftop venue), Umi Sushi (new Japanese restaurant), Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, Habanero Bar and Grill, Orioles Nest Ladies Auxiliary, Saffron Grill and Bar and extended JB's on Main's conditional approval.
The Frederick County Board of License Commissioners on Feb. 9 granted conditional approvals and transfers for a string of restaurant and entertainment license applications, clearing multiple businesses to complete required inspections and paperwork before final issuance.
Votes at a glance
- The Banyan (Application 262,661): conditional approval to 10/31/2026, pending reinspection and verification of all state, county and local permits; passed, voice vote (3-0). - Umi Sushi (Application 262,315): conditional approval to 09/30/2026, pending reinspection and outstanding items (retail sales/use certificate, business license, occupancy, tax release); passed, voice vote (3-0). - Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre (Application 262,319): transfer approved to 03/31/2026 pending staff verification; passed, voice vote (3-0). - Habanero Bar and Grill (Application 262,320): transfer approved to 03/31/2026 pending outstanding items and reinspection; passed, voice vote (3-0). - Orioles Nest 331 Ladies Auxiliary (Application 262,322): conditional transfer through 10/31/2026 to preserve continuity while IRS-related paperwork is resolved; passed, voice vote (3-0). - Saffron Grill and Bar (Application 262,321): conditional approval through 09/30/2026 pending staff verifications; passed, voice vote (3-0). - JB's on Main (extension request for application 261,715): Board extended conditional approval through 12/31/2026 to accommodate construction delays; passed, voice vote (3-0).
Applicants provided brief presentations of operations and staffing. The Banyan's representatives described a three-level venue with dining and event spaces and a rooftop with limited acoustic music and security; the applicant said the rooftop will include food service and additional locked storage and cameras. "We're not gonna have big solo drum kits, where they're doing drum solos on there," the Banyan presenter said when describing plans to keep rooftop music low-key.
Umi Sushi's applicant described a 5,700-square-foot full-service Japanese restaurant with roughly 700 square feet of outdoor seating and said managers and staff will complete alcohol-awareness training; staff emphasized reinspection will be required before any license is issued. Way Off Broadway's new owners said they intend to preserve the dinner-theater tradition and will train staff under Frederick County rules. Several applicants noted they already operate similar licenses in other jurisdictions and have limited or no violation history there.
Most approvals were granted conditionally to give staff time to verify paperwork, inspections and the usual state and local requirements; commissioners said that practice avoids repeated return hearings if construction or permitting takes longer than anticipated.
The board recorded all the listed motions as passing unanimously, 3-0. Staff said applicants will receive a summary email listing outstanding items and next steps.
