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Lounge endorsement

Last updated on April 5, 2024

This webpage summarizes information from the terms and conditions handbook and Liquor Policy Manual. Please refer to those policy documents for the most complete and updated information. 

Overview

The lounge endorsement allows Manufacturer licensees to:

  • Sell liquor by the glass or bottle for onsite consumption with food
  • Sell samples without a daily maximum volume per patron
  • Offer entertainment and amplified sound

Preparing your application

Local approvals

Before you apply, check with your local government or Indigenous nation to confirm that zoning permits a licensed lounge. This helps prevent any unexpected delays in your application. If zoning does not permit a lounge, you'll have to apply for rezoning before the LCRB can approve your lounge endorsement. 

An application for a lounge endorsement requires local government or Indigenous nation notification and public input. Local governments and Indigenous nations often have their own permits and requirements for liquor licences.  Local approvals can take some time. See Section 11 of the Liquor Policy Manual to learn more.

If you are located on the Agricultural Land Reserve, the size of your lounge service area is restricted. Contact the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to learn about their requirements.

Location and floor plan

A lounge can be located:

  • Indoors and outdoors on a patio
    • Patios must have signage and perimeter barriers

You must submit a floor plan with an occupant load for each proposed service area determined by the local government or local building authority. 

Your floor plan must minimize the need for servers to bring drinks through an unlicensed area to a patio. 

Floor plans for lounges must show all service areas and the following details:

  • Names for each room
  • Patio(s)
  • Liquor service bars
  • Dance floor
  • Stage
  • Sound or DJ booth
  • Washrooms
  • Overlapping areas

A lounge can overlap with a(n):  

Fees

The application fee is $330 and the yearly renewal fee is $330. 

Add a lounge endorsement

Operational requirements

Type of service

Liquor and non-alcoholic drinks

A lounge is primarily for the sale of drinks made under your licence, though you may sell liquor of other manufacturers too. The cost to purchase liquor by other manufacturers must not exceed 20% of the total value of liquor purchased for the lounge (measured in dollars), in any given quarter: 

  • January 1 to March 31
  • April 1 to June 30
  • July 1 to September 30
  • October 1 to December 3

Non-alcoholic beverages must also be available to patrons when liquor is served. 

Outdoor sampling

A lounge endorsement permits outdoor sampling. However, you can also apply for a structural change to have an outdoor sampling area without endorsement. 

Maximum serving sizes 

See the terms and conditions handbook for information on maximum serving sizes for samples and full pours.

The lounge endorsement allows you to sell samples without a daily maximum volume per patron. 

Food 

Food must be available to patrons when liquor is served. Your menu must have a variety of hot or cold options. Packaged snacks commonly found in vending machines such as chips and nuts do not meet this requirement. 

Entertainment

Lounges can have amplified sound and entertainment (unless restricted by the LCRB or local bylaws). Please ensure that noise from your lounge is not disruptive to residents and businesses near you.

Hours

Hours of liquor service are noted on your licence and may be between 9 a.m. and 4 a.m. the next day, subject to local government or Indigenous nation approval. 

Policy documents

Contact information

Contact the the LCRB client support team for questions and technical support. 

Client support team
LCRBLiquor@gov.bc.ca

Contact information

If your manufacturer licence is located on the Agricultural Land Reserve, contact the Agricultural Land Commission about their requirements. 

Agricultural Land Commission
https://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/contact/