Liquor license


A liquor licence is a governmentally issued permit for businesses to sell, manufacture, store, or otherwise use alcoholic beverages.

Canada

In Canada, liquor licences are issued by the legal authority of each province to allow an individual or business to manufacture or sell alcoholic beverages. Usually several types of liquor licences are available to apply for within each certain province. There are many regulations which apply to all types of liquor licences. For example, each licence must indicate the time, place and the maximum amount of sale. These licences also apply to special events, which may occur outside of the normal setting in which alcohol is served. Licence holders must strictly follow all the terms and rules to avoid suspension, fines for non-compliance or revocation. Most provinces also specify identification regulations in determining eligibility of patrons. It is also law in 2 provinces that all individuals under 25 years of age must provide sufficient photo ID upon request.

Alberta

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission licences liquor activities in Alberta, pursuant to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, other provincial and federal legislation, and AGLC policies. The AGLC regulates Alberta's liquor industry, which was privatized in 1993 enabling the private sector to retail, warehouse, and distribute liquor in the province.
In Alberta, five classes of general licences are issued for the sale or other distribution, manufacture, storage, and other uses of alcoholic beverages:
  • Class A licences
  • Class B licences
  • Class C licences
  • Class D licences, and
  • Class E licences
  • Class F licences
  • Several special, limited licenses
What is now Class F was originally part of Class E, originally a general alcoholic-beverage manufacturing license.

British Columbia

The British Columbia government regulates and monitors the liquor industry to protect the public from the harm that may be caused by making and selling liquor or products that contain liquor. The B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch regulates liquor service in bars and restaurants, private liquor stores, liquor manufacturers and importers, Ubrews and UVins as well as liquor service at special occasion events. The Liquor Distribution Branch is responsible for the importation and distribution of liquor in B.C. and also operates government liquor stores, it is against the law to provide liquor that has not been certified by the Liquor Distribution Branch. Inspectors will visit establishments unannounced and if the establishment fails to comply with laws and regulations, seizure of liquor, fine or suspension of licence may follow.

Manitoba

Established in 1923, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission serves as a regulating agency of alcohol sales and distributions in Manitoba. Its licensing board provides 12 types of liquor license applications, including Dining Room License, Cocktail Lounge Licence, Spectator Activities Licence, etc. Beside basic requirements for licensed premises such as proper seating capacities, the licensing board also reviews criminal record check and security plans before issuing a liquor licence.

Nova Scotia

Established in 1930, and headquartered in Halifax, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation is the sole distributor and runs all retail outlets selling alcohol except for four private wine specialty shops and, in rural areas where there is not an NSLC location, 23 private "agency" liquor stores. In the former Liquor Commission was restructured as a Crown corporation and became the Liquor Corporation.

Ontario

The Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario was the regulatory agency responsible for issuing liquor permits and regulating the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Ontario to promote moderation and responsible use within the province. Established in 1947 under the Liquor Licence Act, the agency is not to be mistaken with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, an alcohol retailer. The LLBO was replaced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in 1998 under the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act passed in 1996. The LLBO name lives on in many eateries and entertainment establishments which display official certification to indicate the location is legally licensed to serve alcohol.

Quebec

The province of Quebec has its own special laws concerning selling liquor and acquiring a liquor licence. The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux is in charge of liquor distribution and sets the laws on liquor consumption. The permits authorizing the sale or service of alcoholic beverages within the territory concerning liquor permits concluded between the Government and a Mohawk community are determined in the agreement and issued by the authority designated in the agreement. For example, in Quebec all places that are able to receive a liquor licence except grocery stores are able to operate every day, from 8 o’clock in the
morning to 3 o’clock in the morning in selling liquor. In Quebec, strong liquors and spirits are restricted for sale only in SAQ outlets as well at bars and other establishments with the requisite permit. All other types of liquor, as well as beer, shooters and other alcohol-derivative beverages are permitted to be sold at gas stations as well as supermarkets.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority is the corporation responsible for the distribution and regulation of alcohol in the province of Saskatchewan.
Types of personal use permits issued in Saskatchewan include:
  • Sale permit: These permits last for 12 hours and are authorized for charitable, educational, religious or community service functions. Prices for the alcoholic beverages served are set by the permit holder.
  • Non-sale permit: These permits are used to authorize the serving of alcohol at functions outside a private dwelling, including weddings, staff parties, or reunions. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be sold with this permit.
  • Cost-recovery permit: These permit are issued to private individuals for private functions such as weddings and reunions that are not eligible for a regular sale permit. Alcoholic beverages can be sold with this permit, but the price is limited to $2 per drink or the cost of the beverage. Due to the price limit, these are often referred to as "toonie bars."
Businesses seeking authorization to serve alcoholic beverages must complete the Commercial Liquor Permit Application
Types of commercial liquor licences issued in Saskatchewan include:
  • Tavern licence: Issued primarily for the purpose of selling alcohol in public establishments including bars, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.
  • Special-use licence: Issued for restaurants that do not primarily focus on alcoholic beverages but are served on special occasions.
  • Manufacturer licence: Issued to authorize applicants with establishments primarily based on the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages.

    Europe

Finland

In Finland a liquor licence from the Regional State Administrative Agency is needed for businesses manufacturing, serving or importing alcohol. Licences are usually non-limited but licences for limited periods also exist.
A liquor licence can be granted to any mature natural or legal person who has not been declared bankrupt. Persons applying for a licence also need to be able to support themselves financially and be generally trustworthy. There also separate rules for the premises alcohol is served in. Liquor licences are not transferable.
Before 2018 Finnish liquor licences were divided into classes A, B and C. A class A licence allowed serving alcohol up to 80% per volume, a B class licence up to 22% volume and a C class licence only fermented beverages up to 4.7% per volume.
In 2020 the typical cost for a liquor licence in Finland was 450 to 650 euro. In November 2020 Finland had about 9 thousand active liquor licences.

Germany

Germany does not require any licenses for the production, wholesale, or retail sale of alcoholic beverages. A is required when alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises.

Sweden

In Sweden retailers are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages above 3.5% alcohol by volume. Only Systembolaget, the government-owned alcohol monopoly, is allowed to sell these products.
Liquor licenses for restaurants, bars, and similar premises are issued by the local municipality. There are some basic provisions in the Alcohol Act to take into account, for example:
  • Serving of alcohol must not be carried out before 11:00
  • The premises must also serve food to serve alcohol
  • Serving of alcohol is not allowed to people below 18 years of age
  • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be served to a person that is visibly intoxicated
Most licenses allow liquor service between 11:00–01:00, but there are exceptions. Some restaurants have limited hours on weekdays but are allowed to serve longer on weekends. Many dance venues are allowed to serve until 03:00 or 05:00, often combined with the condition that the restaurant has doorman or similar control.

United Kingdom

Throughout the United Kingdom, the sale of alcohol is only authorized for pubs, restaurants, shops, and other premises that are officially licensed by the local authority. The individual responsible for the premises must also hold a personal licence. Premises licences can be categorized into two different kinds:
In the United States, liquor licenses are issued separately by each individual state. Majority licenses are often specified by each state and localities that have laws and regulations in acquiring such a license. Otherwise, general categories that are covered under license laws include when and where liquor may be served, the amount that can be served, how much it may be served for, and to whom it may be served. Across the United States it is very common to have further specified protocols in restaurants such as limits on drinks per customer, zero discounts on drinks, and to have unfinished bottles of wine to remain in the restaurant. Furthermore, there may be several choices of license classes depending on how one intends to sell the alcoholic beverages. The most common overall types of licenses required for bars and restaurants include:
  • Beer-and-wine license: Depending on jurisdiction, this may be the most common or second most common type. It does not include any strong alcohols or spirits, and typically permits sales of beer, wine, cider, and malt liquor beverages up to the alcohol-by-volume range of wines.
  • Restaurant liquor license: Also known as the all-liquor or general license, it is the most or second-most generally used license, depending on jurisdiction. Some states, counties, and municipalities permit most or all restaurants only to have beer-and-wine licenses, or may limit restaurants to such a license for a period of time. Some states issue so few all-liquor licenses that newer restaurants can only obtain a beer-and-wine license unless a full license becomes available and the venue can afford the high price for which it will sell.
  • Tavern liquor license: This license is commonly required for businesses with 50% or more of their sales in liquor, and this may include many restaurants that serve alcohol as well as food. Not all jurisdictions separate this license from the all-liquor restaurant license.
Most US jurisdictions also divide licenses by on-premises consumption and off-premises sales. Certain venues can sometimes have both license types, e.g. a craft brewery that both operates as a tavern and sells bottled beer to go.
It is important for wholesale liquor vendors in the United States to verify authenticity and validity of liquor licenses before selling, because insurance companies do not cover claims related to alcohol if there is no valid liquor license involved.
In addition, some states have mandated "server permits" for those who serve alcoholic beverages.