Baltimore City — The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City approved a broad set of licensing requests on Dec. 4, 2025, including hardship extensions, transfers of ownership for retail and restaurant licenses, a premises expansion and a new Class B restaurant license contingent on a neighborhood memorandum of understanding.

The board approved 180‑day hardship extensions for multiple licensees who cited paperwork, owner illness or the need to sell, including Brooklyn Boosters Club (644‑46 East Patapsco Ave.), Port Public House (1229 Whole St.) and Ceremony Coffee (1312 Point St.). Andrea Mayer, president of Concerned Citizens for a Better Brooklyn, testified the community organization intends to operate Brooklyn Boosters Club and asked the board to preserve the long‑standing neighborhood institution. "It's an old stable that's just been really great for the community, and we wanna see it stick around," Mayer said.

The board also granted a series of transfer applications. Notable approvals included the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore Hotel ownership transfer (continuation of live entertainment, outdoor table service and off‑premise catering), transfers for retail outlets such as City Liquors and Franklin Garden Liquors (with delivery), and restaurant transfers including Zoa KBBQ and Taco Love Grill. Counsel for several applicants proffered experience, training and plans to comply with the board's rules; commissioners voted to approve the transfers based on those proffers and submitted exhibits.

A new Class B restaurant license for a dual operation described as Nora Blue (upstairs restaurant) and Hush Lounge (basement speakeasy) at 1225 Cathedral St. was also approved, subject to a memorandum of understanding with the Mount Vernon Belvedere Improvement Association. Attorney Bruce Cobay said valuation materials in the file show substantial capital invested and that the applicants had provided an MOU that specifies hours and operations. "They've met with the community association who is fully on board and supportive of their plan," Cobay said.

The board approved an expansion of Bank Street Deli's licensed premises to include an adjoining address to serve an adjacent pickleball facility and approved requests to reopen licenses that had been closed for the required interval after resolving state liabilities.

Most approvals were unanimous on the record and tied to written letters or proffers submitted in October and November 2025. The board recessed at the end of the session and scheduled its next meeting for Jan. 15, 2026.

The actions affect a range of neighborhood retail and hospitality businesses and will determine who may sell alcohol, under what conditions and in what footprints during the coming months.