Restaurants & pubs given more options for drinks to go

VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. government is allowing restaurants and pubs to tap into another revenue-generating option.

Effective today, those businesses can package and sell unmixed drinks for takeout or delivery with the purchase of a meal, such as a glass of wine, cider, draft beer, or an unmixed ounce of a spirit.

“The change responds to industry feedback from the Business Technical Advisory Panel and has the support of industry manufacturers following extensive consultation, a new release from the Ministry of Public Safety stated.

The new measure is in addition to pubs and restaurants already being able to sell full bottles of wine and spirits as well as mixed drinks for takeout and delivery with meal purchases.

“This additional choice for consumers builds on other measures government has approved in recent months to benefit approximately 2,000 liquor-primary and 6,000 food-primary licensees in B.C.,” the release added.

The province says the change could also help limit health impacts associated with increased consumption, as a patron has the option to buy a single serving instead of a full bottle of wine or spirit.