Vancouver City Council has unanimously approved, with amendments, updates to the City’s liquor serving hours policy aimed at increasing opportunities for businesses, boosting the local economy and supporting a vibrant nightlife.
“We’re taking real steps to support our restaurants, bars, and the entire hospitality industry,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “Extending liquor hours is part of a bigger push to modernize outdated rules, cut red tape, and create conditions for businesses to thrive. These updates boost our nighttime economy and give businesses more flexibility to meet the needs of their customers.”
Expanded liquor serving hours
Updates to the liquor policy follow engagement with the those who live, work and play in Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), hospitality industry leaders, business improvement associations, and community serving organizations. The City received strong support for expanded hours and simplified rules. Updates to allowable liquor serving hours include:
- Aligning opening hours for bars, pubs, and nightclubs citywide. They are now eligible to apply to open as early as 9 am.
- Extending closing time for bars, pubs and nightclubs. They can now apply to close at 4 am nightly in Downtown, excluding the Downtown Eastside, and 3 am on weekends / 2 am on weeknights outside Downtown.
- Extending liquor-serving hours for restaurants. Restaurants that serve liquor can now apply to extend their alcohol service hours until 2 am every night, previously 1 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends.
Additional changes to modernize and simplify the City’s liquor regulatory framework include:
- New businesses will no longer have probationary restrictions on operating hours.
- Special event hours may be extended to 4 am for a broader range of events, subject to approval by the Chief Licence Inspector.
- Security requirements will be updated to provide more flexibility for operators.
Supporting Livability and Public Safety
In developing the updates, City staff considered potential risks to public health and safety, which will be mitigated through existing policies. The VPD will monitor any potential impacts and the City will reassess its policies as needed to support public safety and neighbourhood livability.
City Council also directed staff to report back on the potential need for funding increases to support sexual violence prevention programs such as Good Night Out.
“These updates reflect a collaborative approach, shaped by feedback from those who drive our nightlife economy and those impacted by it, said Corrie Okell, General Manager, Development, Buildings & Licensing. "We’re excited to support Vancouver’s nightlife and local businesses with changes that are simple to implement, aligned with City standards, and designed to keep our city lively, safe, and welcoming for everyone.”
Next Steps
Updates will be enacted into the bylaws in the fall. Businesses interested in extending their hours can apply through the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), with City input and public consultation forming part of the review process.
