Baltimore City liquor board approves multiple transfers and expansions, including Pickett Brewing’s live entertainment

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City met July 9 and approved a series of license transfers, new licenses and expansions, including a request to add live entertainment and outdoor table service at Pickett Brewing (1130 South Paccus Street).

Pickett Brewing’s request was presented by counsel Steven W. Fogelman, who introduced Kate Conway, identified by counsel as the brewery’s co‑owner and chief of operations. Conway testified the outdoor area would accommodate about 20 patrons and said the brewery closes no later than 9 p.m. on any night; she described the proposed music as low‑impact ("bluegrass") and said neighbors had submitted letters of support. After questions about hours and capacity, the board voted to approve the addition of live entertainment and outdoor table service. Chair (voting member) and two fellow commissioners recorded affirmative votes.

The board also granted a 90‑day transfer hardship extension to JANO (Selam Enterprise LLC, 34 South Utah Street). Counsel said the transfer was approved in December but the applicant was waiting for a sprinkler permit from the fire department after pulling a building permit; that delay was presented as the basis for the hardship request and the extension was granted.

City Liquors Inc. (4300 Bel Air Road) and another applicant seeking to transfer an existing Class A license (Edmondson Liquors and Food Store, 2000 Edmondson Avenue) each received board approval to transfer ownership and to include delivery of alcoholic beverages. For City Liquors, the applicant’s representative said the transfer checklist was complete and only a trailer license remained; the board approved a 90‑day extension to complete the transfer.

Vivian’s LLC (3100 East Baltimore Street) received approval for a new Class B beer, wine and liquor restaurant license. Counsel Melvin Jay Kanetsky said this was effectively a "do over" after an earlier transfer failed because the prior licensee had sales‑tax problems; the board approved the application for a new license that, by statute, requires $500,000 in capital investment, at least 51% food sales and seating for between 75 and 150. The approval included outdoor table service, off‑premises catering and delivery of alcoholic beverages.

Sri Sanath LLC (North Cafe, 3716 West Belvedere Avenue) was approved for a transfer of ownership of a Class B D7 license with delivery; counsel said the prospective owner had completed required training. Game On Bar and Arcade (relocating from 1113 to 1118 South Charles Street) was approved for transfer and relocation; the board noted live entertainment and outdoor tables were already on the license. Poppy’s Laurelville LLC (Alexander SoHa, 4801 Hartford Road) had its request to add outdoor table service and off‑premises catering approved after the applicant said the seating is entirely on private property and supported by neighborhood letters.

Several approvals were delivered orally with commissioners putting their votes on the record after counsel’s presentations and testimony by applicants or representatives. The board recessed until Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Pickett Brewing (add live entertainment; outdoor table service) — Approved (Chair and at least two commissioners recorded yes votes). - JANO / Selam Enterprise LLC (transfer hardship extension, 90 days) — Approved. - City Liquors Inc. (transfer hardship extension / transfer completion, 90 days) — Approved. - Vivian’s LLC (new Class B restaurant license; outdoor table service; off‑premises catering; delivery) — Approved. - North Cafe / Sri Sanath LLC (transfer with delivery) — Approved. - Edmondson Liquors (transfer with delivery) — Approved. - Game On Bar and Arcade (transfer and location change; live entertainment/outdoor tables) — Approved. - Poppy’s Laurelville / Alexander SoHa (outdoor table service; off‑premises catering) — Approved.

How we reported this

Quotes and attributions in this article come directly from testimony and statements made on the record at the July 9, 2026 meeting. The record shows counsel, applicants and board members spoke during each item; where a speaker’s formal name or title appears on the record it is used. Where testimony was given by an applicant or representative who was not named in the adjacent oath or introduction, the article uses the functional description recorded in the proceeding (for example, "the applicant" or "the applicant’s representative").