Vancouver mulls over extended drinking hours

City council will consider recommendations that would allow bars to stay open later and restaurants to extend liquor service – and reaction is mixed.

Last call in Vancouver could soon be extended.

On Tuesday, the chief liquor inspector’s report will go to the Vancouver city council, outlining potential changes to the licensing bylaw that could push closing time to 3 a.m. for parts of the city.

The report intends to modernize and streamline the regulation process.

According to the city document, the proposed changes would extend the latest closing time of 3 a.m. to all areas downtown and to 3 a.m. on weekends and 2 a.m. on weeknights outside downtown.

The report also states that staff propose to extend liquor service hours at restaurants to 2 a.m. every night.

City councillor Peter Meiszner spoke to CTV on Monday about the report, saying it’s been years in the making. It dates back to 2023, when a hospitality working group was created to focus on cutting red tape and regulation that may have conflicted with provincial rules.

“One of the things that many bar owners asked for in order to support their businesses during this really tough economic time is the ability to extend their hours,” said Meiszner.

He continued to say that the intention is to help small businesses and make the city more vibrant, especially leading up to welcoming the world next summer for the FIFA World Cup.

The push to get this approved has been applauded by the hospitality industry, business owners and a Vancouver neighbourhood business improvement association.

Ian Tostenson, the president and CEO of BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, says not every restaurant or bar will apply for the extension. Still, it allows for options to extend business hours.

“If we’re going to be an international city we’ve got a lot of work to do, and I know the mayor has got a plan on growing the economy,” said Tostenson.

He went on to say that the industry is faced with increasing costs, and having tools that can help offset the financial strain should be explored.

The Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association’s executive director, Neil Wyles, explained that the recommendation will impact the neighbourhood’s vibrancy and increase revenue, but he believes all eligible businesses should be allowed to stay open until 3 a.m. regardless of neighbourhood.

“Let the market decide,” said Wyles.

David Dupris owns and operates several restaurants in Vancouver, including Uncle Abe’s on Main Street in Mount Pleasant.

Over the years, Duprey has watched as governments have been slow to implement changes to city liquor bylaws. He says this possible change to liquor licensing will hopefully accelerate other adjustments and level the playing field with other international cities.

“I’m super excited about it,” said Duprey.

“We fought really hard against ‘No Fun City’ for a long time.”

Concerns raised

Tim Stockwell, Canadian Institute for Substance Use scientist and University of Victoria professor, is advising officials on possible changes to how liquor is served.

He explained that this has been raised with city councils around the world for decades and has been framed as a way to “modernize” and streamline the process to be more effective.

“It’s a particularly precarious time for violent incidents to occur, and if people are inebriated, they don’t deal with conflicts as well,” said Stockwell.

He continued on to explain that there are dozens of published reports from cities around the world showing that physical and sexual violence increases when service hours are extended.

Stockwell mentioned that typically these are in areas with a high density of establishments, which in turn compete for customers by lowering the price of alcohol, causing further intoxication.

“Out of sight, out of mind for most people,” said Stockwell.

“It’s a very lucrative market. So the stakes are very high, and I hope the city council in Vancouver consider police and emergency service experts.”

Mother Against Drunk Driving Canada is also warning the city of the potential dangers of increasing access to alcohol.

The group is calling for officials to adjust recommendations to include further safety training for bar staff, additional signage to ensure people are being ID’d, and that safe transportation is available to avoid drinking and driving.

“We want to make sure that there are options available for people to make good decisions,” said Tanya Hanson Pratt, the M.A.D.D Canada national president.

According to Meiszner, the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Coastal Health were consulted along with many in the hospitality sector ahead of Tuesday’s council decision.