Liquor special events in a licensed establishment

A special event can be held in a space that already has a liquor licence, for example, at a liquor manufacturer's lounge or restaurant. However, the licensee may have to temporarily de-licence their establishment for the special event. 

An event can only operate under one licence or permit. As an alternative to de-licensing, 

• A licensee can apply to temporarily extend a licenced area
• A manufacturer can choose to use their special event area endorsement

On this page

• Eligible liquor licences
• Eligible types of events
• Liquor supply
• Legal responsibility
• De-licensing process
• Resources
• Get help

Eligible liquor licences

Temporary de-licensing is allowed with a:

• Food primary licence
• Liquor primary licence
• Manufacturer licence
  • A liquor manufacturer can temporarily de-licence for a special event held in a designated lounge endorsement area

Eligible types of events

The event can be either:

• Public
• Private
• Catered

Liquor supply

A separate liquor supply must be bought for the special event. The licensed establishment’s existing liquor stock cannot be used, even if the liquor Special Event Permit (SEP) holder is the current holder of the regular liquor licence. The SEP holder is responsible for purchasing all liquor.

For more information about liquor supplies, read Section 7 - Sources of liquor in the Special Event Permit Policy Manual (PDF, 533KB).

Legal responsibility

If you take out a liquor Special Event Permit to run an event at an already licensed establishment, you are legally responsible for the event, not the owner or manager of the space. That means that if there are any contraventions to liquor laws or terms and conditions, the permit holder and not the restaurant owner is responsible.

For more information about liability, read Section 2 - Applicant Eligibility in the Special Event Permit Policy Manual (PDF, 533KB).

De-licensing process

For licensees

To temporarily de-license a licenced area, log into the liquor and cannabis licensing portal and select 'Temporary suspension request'.

• The application fee is $110

Temporary changes to a licence are limited to a maximum of 6 times a year.

• De-licensing for a Special Event Permit is one example of a temporary change.
• Other temporary changes include a temporary extension of a licenced area

If you have questions about what type of change is most suited to the event, contact the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to discuss.

For special event hosts

If your event location already has a liquor licence, it must be temporarily de-licensed for your event dates. The request for a temporary de-licensing must be done before you can apply for a liquor Special Event Permit.

• The person who holds the liquor licence is responsible for requesting a temporary suspension for the event dates
• If the event location has a liquor primary club licence, they may not need to de-licence for your event 
  • Check with the liquor license holder

Resources

For more information about the rules on de-licensing, refer to Section 17.3 of the Liquor Policy Manual (PDF, 2.5MB).

Contact the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch at 1-866 209-2111 with questions.