Liquor Licence Classes
Each licence class has its own eligibility requirements and its own licence terms and conditions, outlined in the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and Regulations.
B.C.'s Liquor Control and Licensing Branch issues:
- Agent's Licences – for independent liquor agents who market products from a variety of liquor manufacturers, and BC liquor manufacturers who want to sell their products off-site.
- Food-Primary Licences – for selling liquor by the glass at businesses (restaurants) where the primary purpose is to serve food.
- Liquor-Primary Licences – for selling liquor by the glass at businesses (pubs, bars, lounges, or nightclubs) where the primary purpose is to sell liquor. Private clubs require a liquor-primary club licence.
- Manufacturer's Licences – for making liquor at a winery, brewery or distillery (wineries can also apply for an endorsement to their manufacturer's licence to sell wine by the glass, at an on-site winery lounge).
- Special Occasion Licences – for individuals and groups holding special events, such as community celebrations, weddings or banquets.
- UBrew/UVin Licences – for businesses that sell their customers the ingredients, equipment and advice they need to make their own beer, wine, cider or coolers.
- Olympic/Paralympic Licences – for organizations and businesses with a direct link to the 2010 Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games such as international sports federations, sponsors and foreign governments.
In addition, although no new licences are available at this time:
- Liquor Retail Store Licences – for selling liquor by the bottle at retail stores (often called Private Liquor Stores, operated in association with licensed hotels, bars or pubs.
- Off-site Retail Wine Store Appointments – for off-site retail wine stores including winery-operated stores, independent wine stores, VQA stores and tourist wine stores.
For details about how to apply for a particular kind of liquor licence, please see If You Want a Liquor Licence.
