Alcoholic Beverage License Administration

Applying for an alcoholic beverage license can be a confusing and intimidating process. Below are the basic steps to applying for your licenses from the City of Maysville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Step 1: Download the City of Maysville Alcoholic Beverage Application here. The completed application, supporting documentation, and fee payment should be returned to the City of Maysville, 216 Bridge St., Maysville, KY 41056.

For more information, contact Maysville City Clerk/ABC Administrator Lisa Dunbar at lisadunbar@cityofmaysvilleky.gov or 606-564-2718. She can help you determine the type of license you need and avoid possible obstacles. 

Step 2: Go to the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Administration licensing page here. You will need to go to eServices and create an account — click on the first box Request or Apply to Login/Register. All state applications and renewals must be made online. After creating an account, you can download and review the eServices Applicant/Licensee User Guide

Step 3:   Following the User Guide, you will submit your application online. After you have submitted your online application to the state, a notice will be sent to the local ABC Administrator for approval. If more documentation is needed, you will be notified by email. 

Step 4:   You may make an application for your City license simultaneously with your state application. Keeping a copy of your City application will help you complete the Kentucky online form.

Please note that these guidelines only apply to businesses within the Maysville city limits. Those outside the city limits but within Mason County should contact the Mason County Judge-Executive’s office at 606-564-6706.

Businesses may renew licenses online and pay by card or ACH/Electronic Check at this ABC renewal link or by downloading a renewal form here and paying by cash, check, or credit card. No licenses will be released prior to payment.

An EDC is an area with distinct borders in which alcoholic beverages can be purchased and enjoyed within a common area.

The boundaries are roughly from the Ohio River bank to Third Street and from Wall Street to Bridge Street. 


The City of Maysville holds an Entertainment Destination Center license from Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Administration. The EDC is a part of the economic development plan for Maysville’s historic downtown in coordination with the new B-Line bourbon trail and tourism.

The Entertainment Destination Center allows businesses within or adjacent to it to apply for by-the-drink licenses. Their patrons can leave their businesses with drinks in an appropriate cup and walk within common areas of the EDC. Alcoholic beverages cannot be taken outside the borders of the EDC. Likewise, alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into the EDC to be imbibed publicly. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from licensed vendors within the EDC can be drank publicly within the EDC.

Licensed businesses within the EDC may also set up bars in the common area, if they have received permission from the City Manager and purchase a supplemental bar license from the state.

With the Entertainment Destination Center now licensed, any business within and adjacent to the district can apply for a by-the-drink license (NQ-2). No business can serve alcoholic beverages without a license from both the City of Maysville and the state. The state ABC license is $830, and the City of Maysville license is $550. Vendors are also required by state law to purchase alcohol from a licensed distributor.

Under no circumstances, may a business with just a by-the-drink license sell packaged beer or liquor.

The City passed the EDC ordinance in January and applied for the license at the end of July when state statute went into effect reducing the price. Over the past two weeks, city staff has met with ABC Enforcement to go over the district boundaries and issues regarding enforcement. In addition to signage showing the boundaries of the EDC, the city plans to install security cameras in common areas.

While the City of Maysville has the responsibility to ensure safety in common areas, licensed vendors are still responsible for not over-serving customers and not serving anyone under the age of 21.

Some citizens have expressed concerns about noise, fighting, and other disturbances, which might be associated with public drinking. The city will hold businesses accountable if there are recurring instances of public disturbances associated with their business up to and including revoking their license.

Any business within or adjacent to an EDC can apply for a by-the-drink alcoholic beverage license.

The City of Maysville will be able to apply for its EDC license on July 7. When the City receives its license, it will announce that the businesses within the EDC can begin applying.

The City is responsible for providing security for common areas and ensuring safety for pedestrians from vehicular traffic.

A business wishing to do so, must request permission from the City Manager and then apply for a supplemental bar license from the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control.

No, the licenses specific to EDCs are only for alcoholic beverages sold by the drink.

Patrons may purchase and drink alcoholic beverages in any appropriately licensed premises, the common area or other licensed businesses – but not outside the EDC boundary. All drinks taken off site must be in a plastic cup.

Too many acronyms for you? An EDC is an Entertainment Destination Center. You may have heard that the City of Maysville passed an ordinance in January establishing an EDC. Maybe you weren’t able to make it to the informational meeting last Thursday. Here’s some information to answer some frequently asked questions.

Under Kentucky law, alcoholic beverage licensees and their employees cannot permit those under the age of 21 from remaining where alcoholic beverages are sold by the drink or consumed on the premises unless the usual and customary business of the licensee is a hotel, motel, restaurant, convention center, convention hotel complex, racetrack, simulcast facility, golf course, private club, park, fair, church, school, athletic complex, athletic arena, theater, small farm winery, distillery, brewery, winery, convenience store, grocery store, drug store, entertainment destination center, licensed APC premises, or any other business type as determined by the board through the promulgation of administrative regulations, whose operations allow it to adequately monitor and prevent alcohol sales to minors.

Additionally, the Alcoholic Control Board has exempted other types of businesses from that prohibition, including:

1. Barber shop – established and licensed under KRS Chapter 317
2. Bed and Breakfast – as defined by KRS 241.010(5)
3. Bowling alley – containing several lanes of tenpin bowling
4. Commercial airplane – providing regularly scheduled or charter flights
5. Commercial airport – as defined by KRS 241.010(5)
6. Department store – retail establishment offering consumer goods including but not limited to clothing, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, etc.
7. Designated drinking area – an area containing a bar, counter, or similar structure, where employees prepare and serve alcoholic beverages to customers, that is separated from the remainder of the premises by a barrier or that has no more than two entrances and exits accessible from the remainder of the premises. The designated drinking area may contain employee access by keyed entry and emergency exits equipped with crash bars.
8. Museum
9. Not-for-profit event
10. Organized civic or community-sponsored event
11. Paint and sip business – a business that provides paid group painting lessons accompanied by alcoholic beverages
12. Qualified historic site as defined by KRS 241.010(54)
13. Riverboat
14. Salon and spa – established and licensed under KRS Chapter 317A
15. Train

Businesses that serve alcohol by the drink may permit minors to remain on the premises if the licensee only conducts drink sales and allows consumption in a designated drinking area from which minors are excluded.

Regardless of the above provision, a licensee may exclude minors from parts or all of its premises.

Operators of premises in which alcohol is sold by the drink for consumption on premises where minors are prohibited or designated drinking area must post in a prominent place near the door a sign (at least 8 by 11 inches in 100 points or larger type): NO PERSONS UNDER 21 ALLOWED.

For more information, check KRS 244.080, 244.085, 244.090.