Baltimore City — The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City found Raquel Almeida Cruz Stratton’s Birdhouse Bar in violation of board rules after inspectors said staff sold alcohol outside the licensed premises and allowed patrons to leave with open containers on two dates in September 2025.

Agent Taro of the Baltimore City Liquor Board testified investigators saw “an outdoor seating area was extending past the permitted licensed premises into the street” and that a large blue cooler was used to display beer for sale, with staff selling directly from it. Inspector Jordan corroborated the observations for the Sept. 19 inspection and said staff complied when asked to cease sales and remove the cooler.

The board’s proffer and testimony showed the establishment had not obtained board approval for the outdoor extension nor the required right‑of‑way permit from the Department of Transportation. Steven W. Fogelman, counsel for the licensee, said the new owner had attempted to obtain permits and relied on phone calls and incomplete communications with DOT; he told the board the licensee and staff were “very contrite” and described the incident as a “lesson learned.”

After hearing testimony, the board found violations of rule 4.181 (alterations), rule 4.071 (open containers and unlawful possession/consumption), and rule 4.16 (illegal conduct) for both Sept. 10 and Sept. 19, 2025. The board imposed a $250 fine for each violation and set a 30‑day deadline for payment.

The board record shows inspectors made on‑scene contacts, ordered outdoor sales stopped during the inspections and admitted photographic evidence into the record. Counsel acknowledged the licensee had planned to use an off‑premises catering arrangement for an opening weekend and that communication with DOT proved incomplete during the licensing period.

The board closed the matter with the fine and mitigation comments from counsel; no further administrative sanctions were announced at the hearing. The Liquor Board adjourned its Dec. 4 session and recessed until Jan. 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.