It’s long been a phrase that our neighbours south of the border have referenced – and fellow Canadians have been able to utter – but until very recently has been shunned by BC law makers… Happy Hour was simply not a term that establishments could endorse. Well, thanks to several new liquor reforms rolling out in early 2014 that’s all about to change. So bottoms-up, Vancouver!
Discounted post-work drinks are about to officially make their debut in YVR with Premier Christy Clark announcing that new liquor reforms will go into effect this Spring. (Yay!) BC’s licensed establishments will now be able to offer daily discounts on drinks during off-peak hours in order to fill seats.
Long gone will be an age-old rule forbidding restaurants and bars from changing liquor pricing during the day, so get your liver ready for deeply discounted drinks of all kinds. The same outdated law that also required you to order a meal with your beverage of choice is also being ousted – alongside the requirement that restaurants and bars be ‘food or drink primary’ establishments. It’s a bit convoluted, we know, but the bottom line is this shift will keep more money in your wallet and help boost business overall.
In addition, you’ll soon be able to grab a drink at the bar or lounge area of popular restaurants while you wait for your table and carry it with you to your seat (as opposed to having to settle, down and dash). These major changes are just part of about 70 different modifications set to be made (expect to hear more about this once the official report makes an appearance in February 2014).
Other pretty exciting changes to the province’s dusty old liquor laws: Liquor licences will be available to galleries, culinary schools and even spas, and we may see grocery stores stocking up on our favorite wines sometime soon as well. Ah… the future has arrived!
