B.C. bars and restaurants can now buy from private liquor stores
Three-year trial lets hospitality venues purchase directly from private retailers, addressing supply issues that hit during last year's BCGEU strike.
B.C. bars, pubs, and restaurants can now purchase liquor from private retailers under a three-year trial program announced Friday by the provincial government.
The change gives hospitality venues more flexibility to restock during busy nights or source specialty products—a flexibility they've lacked since they were restricted to purchasing from government-run BC Liquor stores and eligible B.C. wineries, breweries, cideries, and craft distilleries.
The policy was driven in part by frustration from the hospitality industry during last year's BCGEU strike, when all BC Liquor store employees were called out and bar and restaurant supply chains faced severe disruption.
"This change allows a bar that runs out of a product during a busy night to restock from the closest open liquor store," the government said in a release, noting the trial aims to "give bars, pubs and restaurants more flexibility to meet surges in demand and deliver the best possible customer experience."
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) will remain the sole wholesale importer and distributor of liquor in the province, maintaining wholesale pricing to all retailers. The government said it does not expect any impact on revenue, since the LDB and BC Liquor stores will continue selling alcohol to private retailers at wholesale rates.
"We're finding ways to support hospitality businesses, while protecting the good jobs and public revenue from B.C.'s public retail and distribution system," said Lana Popham, minister of agriculture and food.
The trial runs until June 2029.