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The City of Vancouver (COV) is proposing extensions to liquor service hours for bars, pubs, nightclubs and restaurants. COV is proposing the changes in response to “feedback from businesses and aim to modernize the City’s liquor serving hours policy”. Vancouver has sometimes been called “No Fun City” because of policies that affect the quality of the city’s nightlife. Finding late night drinks in Vancouver has always been a challenge.
On February 18, 2024, COV published a news release about proposed liquor service hours changes, inviting those who “live, work and play in Vancouver to share their thoughts on proposed changes to extend liquor service hours at restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs”. The public feedback survey was open from February 18 to March 9, 2025.
Summary of Proposed Changes
As the news release points out, Vancouver’s current liquor services hours have been in place without changes since 2004. Below is a summary of proposed updates to Vancouver liquor licensing:
- Bars, pubs, and nightclubs in Downtown can apply to stay open until 3 am every night of the week. Current hours of service range from 1-3 am, depending on location and day of week.
- Restaurants across Vancouver with liquor licenses can apply to serve alcohol until 2 am every night of the week. Currently liquor service in restaurants ends at 1 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends.
- Businesses that want to amend their Vancouver liquor license to extend service hours, must apply to both the Province and the City, with each application reviewed individually, including public input on potential impacts.
For details of proposed changes, download the COV PDF “Expanding Liquor Establishment Operating Hours”.
Get Help Updating Your Liquor License
When you need to update your Vancouver liquor license, Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors makes it easier than you think. Whether you plan to renovate, make other structural changes, or extend service hours if the COV proposal goes ahead, we can help. If you have questions about BC liquor licensing, give us a shout!
