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| Fall decorations on the plaza |
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| 4935 Bar and Kitchen's chef and owner, Ashish Alfred, at the bar in the Gallery's cyberlounge |
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| Gallery Bethesda property manager Manuel Majano and DJ Maxi behind the turntables |
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| Bethesda start-up Spotluck was there to promote its new app that gives new deals on downtown Bethesda restaurants every day |
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| A cornhole game underway |
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| Maybe this will become an annual event |
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| Hay bales on the plaza |
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| New grass added this week |
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| Spotluck was at the party inside, too, with a human demonstration of how the app works |
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| Fun at the photo/video booth |
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| 4935 Bar and Kitchen is at 4935 Cordell Avenue |
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| These signs reminded attendees that beer drinking had to be limited to the indoors |
While the beer-related changes did not spoil the fun of the event, I do mention them because I was not even aware of these particular regulations. And because these should be a topic in the current discussion about the county's and state's outdated liquor laws, and how they are stifling local business and creative events that are vital to our downtown areas.
You may recall the original plan was for an outdoor biergarten, and a German beer list to be supplied by Gallery Bethesda's own convenience store, Aria Beer Wine & Deli. But citing yet more regulations, the County said the beer would have to be consumed inside the building only. And County regulators said the building could not buy beer from its own convenience store, for an event on its own private property!
This is what I mean when I say that liquor "reform" in the county can't just be about a few issues particular politicians want to change. We hear a lot about the need for public gathering space in downtown Bethesda, and here the county's own outdated rules prevented the public from enjoying an outdoor beer garden setting, on just such a gathering space in the Woodmont Triangle. Clearly these two regulations should be added to the list of those needing review and change.
Robert, Montgomery County does have a one-day, outdoor liquor license which this event could have gotten if it had applied for in time.
ReplyDeleteBut again, why would you report all the facts if you're on a crusade against Montgomery County from your mom's basement?
How is trying to improve the county, and make it more competitive with the jurisdictions around it, "a crusade against Montgomery County?" The bad thing to do would be for everyone to pretend everything is fine, as our elected officials so often do. The fact is that the current regulations were an obstacle to having the sort of outdoor event common in urban areas today. While bravely posting as anonymous, you also failed to acknowledge the odd regulation about not being able to purchase beer from a vendor of choice - within the same private property!
DeleteCome on anonymous 5:18, you're better than that.
DeleteRobert's audience is among the most intelligent in the nation...do you really expect to win their support with childish insults?
Fully agree about the antiquated alcohol restrictions in MoCo. It's as if we live in a socialist state, standing in line for rations.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the issue?
ReplyDelete7:16: I'm not sure - these liquor rules are so out-of-date, I'm constantly being surprised by all the arcane details of what government says you can, and cannot, do. The outcome of the event was no different indoors, with a different vendor for the beer, than it would have been outdoors. So the rules didn't serve any purpose, other than to get in the way of private business and the sort of "vibrant" urban scene county politicians claim they want.
DeleteMaybe one day, the Council will allow tax paying MoCo residents to pick up a bottle of wine at the grocery store when buying ingredients for dinner or maybe even a six pack of beer at 7 Eleven.
ReplyDeleteIf we're really good, they may just let us.
Anonymous 5:18 is up to his old ad hominem attacks.
ReplyDeleteRobert isn't out on a "crusade", he's just reporting the facts.
If you want your daily stream of MoCo PR releases, you know where to go. Guess what: not everything is perfect in MoCo! Not even close. It's a great place to live, but it doesn't mean folks can't work to improve things.
Apparently, we'll have backyard chickens before we can pickup a bottle of wine from the grocery store.
@ 11:31 AM - It's not just MoCo. It's most or all counties in Maryland.
ReplyDeleteThe prohibition isn't on "grocery stores" per se, but rather a restriction on the number of locations any licensee may have - two for each. That's why independent grocers and convenience stores can sell booze but not chains.
12:34: The state and county certainly make a great team - when they're not standing in the way of adults buying a Bud Light at the grocery store, they're trying to prevent their residents from using advances like Uber and Lyft. #FightTheFuture is their apparent mantra.
DeleteIn the District of Columbia, you're not allowed to carry your drink from one table to another - the server must do that for you.
ReplyDeleteThis is like how Tesla employees at their Bethesda gallery at the mall can't talk about how to buy the car due to Maryland's arcane dealer laws.
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't be so hard to buy a bottle of wine at the grocery store. Folks shouldn't have to drive all around to get stuff for dinner.
argh... Why do Maryland and MoCo politicians want to fight the future?
Now Barwood hires a PR lobbyist firm to convince us that Uber is dangerous. Do they think we're that stupid? Companies around the DC area have dumped local taxi companies and are adopting Uber in droves. Meanwhile, MoCo is fighting the future to preserve old legacy systems.
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ReplyDeleteI thikn 5:18am brings up a valid point. Would a one-day permit have worked in this situation, and did they apply for one?
ReplyDeleteI agree MoCo has some stupid liquor laws, but this may not be a good example of it if the one-day permit was available and they just didn't apply.
10:21 There is also the issue of being unable to purchase beer from a vendor of choice. Wouldn't you say that's an odd regulation?
DeleteYes, but this is talking about the issues as it pertains to this event so an answer would be nice.
DeleteAria has a retail sales license, but not a serving license.
ReplyDeleteThat was the primary reason.