# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 18. Charles County

### Subtitle 25. Unlicensed Establishments

#### Section 18-2501

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an unlicensed establishment that offers or provides live entertainment may not, at a location under the control or possession of the establishment, sell, serve, keep, or allow to be consumed:

  (1) alcoholic beverages;

  (2) setups; or

  (3) other component parts of mixed alcoholic drinks.

(b) As long as live entertainment is not offered or provided on more than 8 days in a calendar month, the following are exempted from the prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section:

  (1) the room of a registered guest in a hotel or motel;

  (2) property owned by a volunteer fire company;

  (3) property owned and operated by a community or homeowners association composed only of property owners in a single subdivision; or

  (4) property owned by a religious institution.

(c) A person that violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.

#### Section 18-2502

(a) Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into an establishment and consumed or transferred if the establishment is a place of adult entertainment that provides entertainment listed under Sec. 4-605 of this article.

(b)

  (1) An operator of a place of adult entertainment that knowingly allows a violation of this section in the establishment is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 for each violation.

  (2) Each day of operation in violation of this section is a separate violation.

#### Section 18-2503

(a) From 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on any day, an individual may not consume alcoholic beverages in:

  (1) an establishment open to the public;

  (2) a place of public entertainment; or

  (3) a place at which setups or other component parts of mixed alcoholic beverages are sold under a license issued under the Business Regulation Article.

(b) An owner or a manager of an establishment or a place specified in subsection (a) of this section may not knowingly allow consumption of alcoholic beverages between the hours specified in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50.

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Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)