The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) is a set of laws and regulations in

Ontario, Canada, that governs the sale, service, and delivery of alcohol.
In Ontario, prohibition lasted from 1916 to 1927.
To control and regulate alcohol after prohibition ended, the Ontario government
passed the Liquor Licence Act in 1927.

Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA): This updated act replaced the original Liquor Licence Act. It
modernizes the regulation of alcohol to make the process more flexible and current.

Special Occasion Permits (SOPs): Needed for events serving alcohol in locations that are not already
licensed (e.g., wedding receptions in non-licensed venues).

Required if alcohol is sold at private places (except private homes).

Endorsements: These are additional permissions that can be added to a Liquor Sales Licence for specific
circumstances.

Liquor Sales Licence

Who Can Get It: An individual or a corporation can apply for a Liquor Sales Licence. The person or entity
that holds the licence is called the licensee.

Display Requirement: The licence must be displayed in a place where customers can easily see it.

Do Not Serve Intoxicated Customers: If a customer appears drunk or is already intoxicated, do not serve
them any more alcohol.

Intoxicated Persons on Premises: Do not allow anyone who is drunk to enter or stay in your
establishment.

Always allow entry to on-duty AGCO Inspectors, Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and government
inspectors.

Regular Days: Serve alcohol from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

New Year's Eve: Serve alcohol from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Daylight Savings (Fall): Continue serving until 2:00 a.m. after the clock is set back to 1:00 a.m.

Daylight Savings (Spring): Stop serving at 2:00 a.m., even though the clock will jump to 3:00 a.m.

Service Rules
No Minimum Drink Requirement:

Licensed establishments cannot force customers to buy a minimum number of drinks to enter or stay on
the premises. This means you can't have a rule like "You must buy at least two drinks to stay here."
Stop-Service Time:

All alcohol orders must be served before the stop-service time. All alcohol must be served before 2:00
a.m. (or 3:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve).

For example, if the stop-service time is 2:00 a.m., you cannot serve drinks after 2:00 a.m., even if the
order was placed at 1:55 a.m.

If a customer orders a drink at 1:55 a.m., you must ensure they receive their drink before 2:00 a.m. You
cannot serve or deliver the drink after 2:00 a.m.

Clearing Alcohol and Containers:

All alcohol and its containers (including empty glasses and bottles) must be cleared away within 45
minutes after the stop-service time.

For most establishments where the stop-service time is 2:00 a.m., this means all alcohol and containers
must be cleared by 2:45 a.m.

Summary of Alcohol Service Guidelines

Authorized Purchases: Buy alcohol only from the LCBO, The Beer Store, or manufacturer's retail stores.

No Substitution Without Consent:

Do not substitute one type of alcohol for another without getting the customer’s permission first. For
example, if a customer orders a specific brand of vodka, you cannot give them a different brand
without asking them.

Transparency in Modifications: Inform customers of any alterations to their drinks and keep a record for
at least a year. Do not water down or alter a drink unless the customer is informed at the time of sale or
service.

Offer Alcohol-Free Beverages: Always have a variety of alcohol-free drinks available. This provides
options for non-drinkers or those who wish to limit their alcohol intake.

Encourage Responsible Drinking:

 Serve drinks in flat-bottomed containers.

 Offer light meals during alcohol service hours (recommended).

Licensed Area
Where customers are allowed to carry and consume alcohol
Licensees can choose to extend their liquor sales licence to cover the entire premises, allowing
customers to move freely with their drinks.

Ancillary Areas: These additional areas (like washrooms, hallways, and stairwells) are included in the
licensed area if the whole premises are licensed.

Maximum capacity is the total number of people (both customers and employees) allowed in the
establishment at one time. This number is specified on the Liquor Sales Licence. Each area (e.g.,
dining area, patio, private room) within the establishment might have its own capacity limit.

Adhering to the maximum capacity ensures the safety and comfort of everyone in the establishment. It
helps prevent overcrowding, which can be a safety hazard.

Even if the establishment has reached its maximum capacity, certain officials must always be allowed
entry. These officials include:

 AGCO Inspectors
 Law enforcement officers (police)
 Firefighters
 Government inspectors (e.g., building code inspectors, health inspectors)

Sandy's Law: Requires establishments that sell or serve alcohol to display a warning sign about the risks
of drinking during pregnancy.

Warning Sign: Must inform about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Prominent Display: The sign must be easily visible to customers.

Regulatory Requirement: Selling or supplying alcohol without displaying the sign is a violation of the
LLCA.

Premises Needing Signs:

 Restaurants, bars, and other liquor-selling businesses.

 Areas with liquor sale endorsements.
 Ferment on premises facilities.
 Licensed retail stores (grocery, winery, beer stores).
 LCBO stores and Convenience Outlets.

LCBO compliance falls under their own regulatory authority.

Endorsements are permissions granted to licensed establishments, allowing them to sell and serve
alcohol under specific circumstances. Each endorsement type is governed by its own set of regulations
and conditions.
 Brew Pub Endorsement
Authorization:

The Brew Pub Endorsement allows the holder to sell and serve beer that is brewed on the premises
where the pub is located.

Ownership Requirement: The licensee must own and operate both the pub and the facilities where the
beer is brewed.

Sales and Consumption: Beer brewed under this endorsement must be sold and consumed only within
the licensed area of the pub if it's intended for on-premises consumption.

Off-Premises Sales: Beer manufactured by the licensee can only be sold, served, and consumed in the
licensed premises where it was brewed. However, there are exceptions:

 If the licensee owns at least 51% of another premises and that premises holds a valid Liquor
Sales Licence.
 If a liquor sales licence applies to the other premises.

Caterer's Endorsement: Beer brewed by the licensee can also be sold and consumed under any caterer’s
endorsement attached to the licence containing the brew pub endorsement.

Takeout and Delivery: The holder of the Brew Pub Endorsement can offer their beer for takeout and
delivery if they comply with the regulations outlined in the endorsement.

Compliance: It is the responsibility of the endorsement holder to comply with all federal requirements
related to brewing and selling beer. Contacting the nearest Regional Federal Excise Office can provide
more information on this matter.

Wine Pub Endorsement:

 Authorization:

 The Wine Pub Endorsement permits the holder to sell and serve wine that is produced
on the premises where the pub is located.

 Ownership Requirement:

 Similar to the Brew Pub Endorsement, the licensee must own and operate both the pub
and the facilities where the wine is produced.

 Sales and Consumption:

 Wine produced under this endorsement must be sold and consumed only within the
licensed area of the pub if it's intended for on-premises consumption.

 Off-Premises Sales:
  Wine manufactured by the licensee can only be sold, served, and consumed on the
premises to which the licence applies.

 Takeout and Delivery:

 The holder of the Wine Pub Endorsement can offer their wine for takeout and delivery if
they meet the eligibility requirements set out in regulation.

 Testing Contacts:

 For more information on the testing process for wine produced under this endorsement,
the licensee can contact the LCBO Quality Assurance Laboratory. Alternatively, they can
search for other analytical and testing laboratories that meet the requirements.

Understanding and adhering to these regulations is essential for establishments with a Wine Pub
Endorsement to operate legally and responsibly.

A caterer is a business or person that provides food and drink services at various events like weddings,
parties, or corporate gatherings.

With a Caterer’s Endorsement, the caterer can bring and serve alcohol at these events, even if the event
is not at their own restaurant or facility.

The event where the alcohol is served must be organized or sponsored by someone other than the
caterer. For example, if a company is hosting a corporate dinner and hires the caterer, that company is
the sponsor, not the caterer.

Only the caterer's own employees are allowed to sell and serve the alcohol at the event. This means that
the caterer’s trained staff handle all aspects of the alcohol service, ensuring proper control and
compliance with laws.

Only the caterer's own employees are allowed to sell and serve the alcohol at the event. This means that
the caterer’s trained staff handle all aspects of the alcohol service, ensuring proper control and
compliance with laws.

Returning Unused Alcohol:

After the event, any alcohol that wasn't used must be taken back to the caterer’s licensed premises. This
means that leftover alcohol cannot stay at the event location or be given away; it goes back to where the
caterer is licensed to store and serve alcohol.

In simple terms, a Caterer’s Endorsement lets a caterer legally sell and serve alcohol at events that are
held away from their main location, as long as:
  The event is organized by someone else.
 Only the caterer’s staff handle the alcohol.
 Any leftover alcohol is returned to the caterer's main location.

Room Service Endorsement

A Room Service Endorsement allows a business, such as a hotel, to sell and serve
alcohol to guests who are staying overnight in rooms that are next to or close to the
main licensed area of the business.

A Mini Bar Endorsement allows a hotel to provide a secure mini bar in guest rooms
rented for overnight stays. The mini bar includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic
drinks and must be locked separately from the room key. Only guests aged 19 or
older can access the mini bar, and the hotel must keep track of sales for a year to
ensure everything is done legally and responsibly.

A Golf Course Endorsement allows a golf course to sell and serve alcohol to
customers while they are playing on the golf course via mobile vending carts.
Players can carry their drinks in their golf carts while riding, but they must not
drink or hold alcohol while driving the carts to ensure everyone’s safety. Carrying
a drink means transporting the beverage container from one location to another.
Holding a drink refers to physically grasping and having control over the container
containing the beverage. Alcohol must stay within the licensed areas of the golf
course. It cannot be taken into non-licensed areas such as parking lots, public
walkways, or roadways.

A Bring-Your-Own-Wine (BYOW) Endorsement allows the holder of a Liquor Sales

Licence to permit patrons to bring sealed, unopened bottles of commercially made
wine to a restaurant or banquet room for their own consumption. This does not
include wine made at Ferment on Premise facilities, wine made at premises with a
wine pub endorsement, fortified wine, or homemade wine.
The BYOW Endorsement cannot be used in combination with a caterer’s
endorsement attached to the licence.

"Take Home the Rest" allows patrons to take home partially consumed bottles of
commercially made wine purchased at the establishment. The wine must be
resealed with a cork by the licensee or an employee. Combining wine from multiple
bottles before resealing is not permitted.
Intoxicated patrons cannot participate in "Take Home the Rest,"
"Take Home the Rest" only applies to wine and does not include spirits, beer,
fortified wine, or homemade wine.
MUST NOT be intoxicated.
A customer must not be allowed to take home an unopened bottle of wine
purchased from the licensed establishment unless it's ordered with food for takeout.
SOPs are required for one-time or occasional events where liquor is sold or served
outside of licensed establishments or private places.
They are typically used for events such as weddings, fundraisers, or public festivals.
Once the event is over, the permit expires.
Endorsements are modifications or additions to existing liquor licences, allowing
licensees to conduct specific activities beyond the standard scope of their licence.
Endorsements are integrated into the existing liquor licence and are applicable for
the duration of the licence's validity unless revoked or amended.
SOPs are needed for events serving alcohol in locations other than licensed
establishments, private office boardrooms, or homes. However, if alcohol is being
sold at a private location like a boardroom, an SOP is required, except for private
residences where alcohol sales are not permitted.
The designated individual named on the SOP, or their delegate must be present at
all times during the event and is responsible for ensuring compliance with alcohol-
related regulations and standards outlined in the LLCA.

If you're having a gathering outside of homes and not charging for drinks, you
might need a "No Sale" permit.
If you're selling alcohol and charging for admission, you'll need a "Sale"
permit.
The private events are invite-only, and they can have either cash or non-cash
bars, like at birthday parties, weddings, or bridal showers. Cash bars are where
guests pay for drinks or non-cash bars where drinks are provided at no cost to
guests. They cannot be advertised, including via public social media. They cannot
profit from the sale of alcohol. They cannot encourage drinking contests/games that
lead to excessive drinking. Homemade wine and beer can be served at a private
event as long as it is not sold. The beer or wine must be made by a member of the
family hosting the event and provided free of charge.
The public events are inclusive gatherings where alcohol sales are allowed, often
serving as platforms for community involvement, entertainment, and fundraising
efforts.
The industry promotional events are opportunities for manufacturers to
showcase their products through sampling, without the intention of generating
profit from alcohol sales.
A tailgate event is an outdoor gathering near a sports event where people bring
their own food, drinks (including alcohol), and often their vehicles.
To get a Tailgate Event Permit in Ontario, the event must:
 Be connected to a professional, semi-professional, or post-secondary
sports event.
 Take place outdoors, usually in a parking lot near the sports venue.
People 19 years or older can bring their own alcohol (BYOB) for consumption. Only
the permit holder can sell alcohol bought under the permit. Homemade alcohol or
alcohol from a brew/ferment on premise facility is allowed for personal use but can't
be sold.
The permit sets the hours alcohol can be sold, served, and consumed, usually
between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Alcohol can't be taken out of the permitted area unless it's sealed and unopened
or in closed containers.

Grocery Stores: Licensed grocery stores can sell beer, cider, and wine.
 Although a retail store cannot sell alcohol before or after the legal times, they
may choose to further limit their hours for alcohol sales and exchanges.
 Grocery stores must not allow exchanges for other alcohol products outside
of the legal hours of sale. However, they may process refunds at any time.
 Permissible hours for the retail sale of alcohol: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 a.m.
to 11:00 p.m.
Manufacturer's On and Off-Site:
 Eligible products (wine, beer, or cider) can be sold at manufacturers’ on- and
off-site stores.
 Alcohol can be sold between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday
Farmers’ Markets
 Manufacturers can sell their 100% Ontario wine or cider made from 100%
Ontario apples at farmers’ markets.
 Spirits may also be sold at a farmers’ market if at least 50% of the volume in
the container is made, from start to finish, at a production site in Ontario.
 Beer is eligible to be sold at farmers’ markets only if the full brewing process
takes place at a production site in Ontario.
 Eligible wine and eligible spirits may be offered for sale during the hours of
operation of the Farmers' Market, although farmers' markets may choose
to further limit these hours.
Never sell alcohol to a second-party purchaser. A second-party purchaser is
someone over the age of 19 who attempts to buy alcohol on behalf of another
individual who is either intoxicated or under the age of 19.
a licensed store must arrange beer and cider together, while wine can be separate.
They must also offer products from local producers and ensure that alcohol not on
display is kept securely away from customers.
A licensed store must arrange beer and cider together, while wine can be
separate. They must also offer products from local producers and ensure that
alcohol not on display is kept securely away from customers.
No Profit from Samples:
When offering samples, never sell them to make money. Only charge enough to
cover the cost of providing the sample itself.
All liquor must be purchased or obtained from:
 The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario),
 An LCBO Agency Store (also known as LCBO Convenience Outlets),
 The Beer Store,
 A licensed grocery store,
 Or a manufacturer’s retail store,
 An eligible liquor sales licensee

All individuals delivering liquor must be at least 18 years of age and carry a copy of
the Liquor Delivery Service licence.
Eligible liquor sales licensees are allowed to sell liquor for takeout or delivery
along with food.
The sale and delivery of liquor with food is only allowed between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Deliver to the person who paid for the order or to another individual at the delivery address who is at
least 19 years old.

Liquor must not be delivered to a patient in a medical institution or a patient in an institution for the
treatment of alcohol addiction.

The liquor must be delivered to a private place or residential address.

The sale and delivery of liquor with food is only allowed between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Orders of food and liquor must be delivered at the same time.

Liquor can be delivered to a private place or residential address.