Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,
We are delighted to share great news for our Liquor Primary and Liquor Primary Club members today -- bottle service is now allowed!
ABLE BC has long advocated for this change as we know how important it is for clubs, bars, and nightclubs, to offer a VIP service to their guests and to further differentiate themselves from Food Primary licensees.
We're grateful that our government partners at the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) understand the value that bottle service will bring to Liquor Primary licensees.
The full details of this change can be found in Bulletin 25-01: Liquor Primary establishments may offer bottle service.
What's changing
Liquor Primary establishments are now permitted to sell and serve a whole bottle of spirits, commonly known as bottle service.
Bottle service is a VIP experience primarily offered in nightclubs and bars. It may include a reserved table, a bottle of spirits, and a dedicated server at a premium price. The server pours the spirits according to maximum serving sizes. The ice, drink mix and garnishes may be provided at the table for patrons to add themselves.
Licensees who sell and serve a bottle of spirits (bottle service), must follow these terms and conditions:
- You must not pour more than the maximum serving size per patron at any time.
- A whole bottle of spirits must not be sold within the last hour of liquor service.
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You must maintain control of the bottle of spirits during liquor service and have a system to ensure that patrons do not self-serve.
- Any remaining liquor in the bottle can be stored for the patron’s exclusive use if you have created secure and separate storage for this purpose.
- In Liquor Primary Clubs with locker room privileges, the bottle of spirits may alternatively be stored by the member in their locker.
- Any remaining liquor must be disposed of immediately if separate storage measures have not been established.
Read the changes in the LP Terms & Conditions Handbook (page 22).
Helpful information
No application is required, this change will automatically take effect for all Liquor Primary licensees.
If you offer VIP table reservations, they can be tied to an all-inclusive package that includes liquor in the purchase price, as long as:
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The amount of liquor provided is specified and not unlimited, and is separately itemized in the patron’s bill (including the different sales tax for liquor); and
- It is compliant with the maximum serving-size restrictions per patron and all other liquor sales terms and conditions.
Please contact jeff@ablebc.ca or LCRBLiquorPolicy@gov.bc.ca if you have questions.
