Here's all the ways Vancouver is changing its liquor laws
Jun 17 2017, 1:17 am
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In a full pint’s worth of policy changes, the City of Vancouver has introduced a number of changes to its liquor laws.
In a release, the city said the changes are meant to “streamline regulations, boost local business, and enhance the City’s social vibrancy.”
Some of the changes on the way are:
- Allowing grocery stores to sell wine, beer and/or liquor through a wine-in-store model; which will mean a separate area for alcohol sales, and only in grocery stores that meet certain physical requirements;
- Creating more outdoor patio space;
- Extending hours for breweries and and distilleries until midnight;
- Allowing arts and culture establishments, like museums and galleries to sell alcohol;
- Supporting restaurants to operate as bars after 10pm, withdrawing the requirement that kitchens need to stay open while alcohol is being served.
In what the City says are steps to support public health and safety, other regulations will also include:
- Requiring liquor establishments to publish drink sizes and strengths on their menus so patrons can have better information when making drink choices.
- Partnering with the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch and Vancouver Coastal Health on education and support programs as well as enhanced enforcement.
- Piloting a “last entry” program that will see Granville Street establishments disallow entrance of new patrons a full one hour before closing time.
In a statement, the city’s General Manager of Development, Buildings and Licensing Kaye Krishna said the updates “will let us to move forward in a fair and balanced way that will enhance community vitality, support local businesses, and mitigate the negative impacts of alcohol on residents.”