Fences come down at B.C. beer gardens

Gone are the days of cordoned-off beer gardens at family-friendly festivals in B.C.

Liquor law changes made today allow parents to enjoy a drink and explore the festival grounds together with their kids, rather than being restricted to a caged-off beer garden.

Festivals and public special events that wish to sell alcohol will still need to apply for a special occasion licence (SOL) and may be subject to local government or police approval.

For large-scale events that expect more than 500 people, event organizers must submit a site plan that demonstrates a safe, secure environment with controls in place to keep liquor out of the hands of minors.

Today’s changes also affect other liquor policies. Sales of mixed spirits, such as gin and tonic or rum and Coke, are now allowed at SOL events, such as music festivals and regattas.

Sports and entertainment venues will also see changes. Rather than only serving beer and wine to those in the general seating area, and spirits to those in private boxes or premium seats, B.C. stadiums and arenas can now serve spirits to all patrons, no matter where they are seated.

Today’s changes are the first of many to be implemented from the Lgovernment’s liquor policy review. John Yap, the parliamentary secretary for liquor reform policy, said the changes will “reflect modern-day society.”