Gone are the days of cordoned-off beer gardens at family-friendly festivals in B.C., thanks to liquor law changes that open up new opportunities for B.C. families and the province’s multitude of festivals and special events.
Parents will be able to enjoy a beverage and explore the festival grounds together with their kids, rather than being restricted to a caged-off beer garden. Not only does this enhance convenience for families, it also reduces costs for the non-profits that run B.C.’s unique festivals and special events, meaning more funds can go to the various causes they support.
Public safety will continue to be a top priority. All festivals and public special events that wish to sell alcohol will still need to apply for a special occasion licence (SOL) and may be subject to local government or police approval. For large-scale events that expect more than 500 people, event organizers must submit a site plan that demonstrates a safe, secure environment with controls in place to keep liquor out of the hands of minors.
Today’s changes also refresh additional, outdated liquor policies. Sales of mixed spirits, such as gin and tonic or rum and Coke, are now allowed at SOL events, such as music festivals and regattas, offering more choice and selection for consumers, and creating new opportunities for B.C.’s craft distilleries.
Sports and entertainment venues will also see positive changes, thanks to modernized rules around spirit sales and licensing. Rather than only serving beer and wine to those in the general seating area, and spirits to those in private boxes or premium seats, B.C. stadiums and arenas can now serve spirits to all patrons, no matter where they are seated.
Today’s changes are the first of many to be implemented from the Liquor Policy Review – one of the B.C. government’s most successful public engagements. Government launched the review with the goals of increasing choice and convenience for consumers, cutting red tape, spurring the economy and supporting B.C. jobs, while protecting health and public safety.
