If you’re sad about how early Vancouver bars and restaurants close up shop, some proposed liquor rule changes might brighten your mood.
The changes to the way liquor rules and regulations work in Vancouver could come to pass this week, and it could change your bar and restaurant experience around the City.
A policy is being voted on tomorrow at Vancouver City Council, which would seek to amend the current bylaws regarding late-night drinking. If the policy recommendations by City of Vancouver staff pass, it would not only extend hours for liquor establishments but would expand those hours to more areas.
“The proposed changes would expand the latest closing time of 3 a.m. to all areas downtown and extend latest closing times outside downtown to 3 a.m. on weekends and 2 a.m. on weeknights. Staff also propose to enable liquor service hours at restaurants to 2 a.m. every night,” the City staff report states.
Jane Talbot, the president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, told Daily Hive Urbanized it’s “a step in the right direction for our hospitality sector.”
However, Talbot also believes 3 a.m. isn’t late enough.
“We urge Council to consider allowing 4 a.m. closures, which we have previously advocated for to the City,” she told Daily Hive Urbanized.
Talbot also said, “We also urge the City to ensure that the associated licensing process is streamlined, removing barriers that make it difficult for businesses to access and implement these changes efficiently.”
The City staff policy mentions “additional proposals” to streamline and extend special event hours.
“There are processes in place to address potential public safety and health risks that could be associated with the proposed opportunities,” the City staff report states, adding that the Province and the VPD would be involved in the case-by-case review of applications for new liquor primary licences. The reports notes that the VPD is not opposed to the changes.
Talbot mentions the potential importance of just one extra hour.
“Granville Street, in particular, is facing high vacancy rates and economic strain. One extra hour could help stabilize businesses, drive tourism, and bring renewed energy to our downtown core,” she said.
There are five main things the City is considering in this policy:
- Flexibility and revenue opportunities for establishments
- Public safety
- Public health
- Late-night transit availability
- Uptake on existing opportunities for extended hours of operation
The City staff report points out that VCH does not support the idea of extending hours due to the risk to public safety.
“VCH does not support increasing alcohol access through longer hours, as any expansion will lead to increased consumption and both short-term and long-term public health consequences,” the report states.
Transit is another key issue. The report points out that SkyTrain stops running at 1:30 a.m., but notes that NightBus service starts at the same time. Additionally, the report mentions ride-hailing and taxi services, suggesting that there are options available for late-night partygoers.
If the policy passes, the 3 a.m. closing time would extend the hours of 41 per cent of establishments in the downtown area. For establishments outside the downtown area, a 3 a.m. weekend closing time and a 2 a.m. weekday closing time would change the latest closing time for 97 per cent of establishments.
We won’t have to wait too much longer to find out if the changes will be approved, but do you support the proposed changes? Let us know in the comments.
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