Late-night fun in Vancouver is getting a boost. The city will now allow liquor service until 4 a.m. in the downtown core. In other parts of the city, bars and pubs can stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends and 2 a.m. on weekdays.
City councillors recently voted in favor of these changes. They aim to help small businesses earn more and provide more nightlife options for residents and tourists.
However, the extended hours will not happen automatically. Each business must apply to change its liquor license. This includes a review process that involves feedback from nearby residents and the community.
The new bylaw will also help new businesses. In the past, new liquor-licensed venues faced strict rules during their first few months. The updated bylaw removes those early restrictions, giving new bars and restaurants more flexibility from the start.
City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung said the change comes at a time when many small business owners are feeling financial pressure. She believes longer hours could help businesses earn more and stay open.
“It can really help,” she said. “Many small businesses are dealing with rising costs. This is one more way to support them.”
Vince Marino runs the Junction and Pumpjack pubs in Vancouver. He said the change will give businesses more choice, but won’t force them to stay open every night until 4 a.m.
“It just gives us the option,” he said. “We’ll decide night by night. It doesn’t mean every bar will suddenly be open that late all the time.”
A report to city council looked at the impact of longer service hours. It found that the Vancouver Police Department is not against the idea. The report said most businesses do not use their full legal hours anyway. Any increase in late-night activity is expected to be slow and limited.
In fact, a trial change in 2023 allowed some areas to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. Fewer than 25% of eligible businesses applied for the extra hours.
Still, not everyone supports the changes. Vancouver Coastal Health raised concerns about possible health risks. They warned that longer hours could lead to more drinking, more injuries, and a rise in alcohol-related violence.
City staff also studied how people would get home after 4 a.m. The SkyTrain stops running before 1:30 a.m., but late-night buses and rideshare apps help fill the gap.
TransLink spokesperson Tina Lovgreen said the NightBus system already helps people get home after a night out. It runs every 20 to 30 minutes and connects with the SkyTrain route.
“Our buses run past 1 a.m.,” she said. “The NightBus helps people travel all night. We also plan to improve late-night service under our Access For Everyone plan.”
The new liquor rules will not take effect right away. City staff must update the official bylaws first. These updates are expected to return to council in the fall.
As of April, Vancouver had 209 bars and clubs with liquor-primary licenses and 1,225 restaurants with food-primary liquor licenses.
The city hopes the changes will help boost the local economy while keeping the public safe. With input from the police, health experts, and transit officials, Vancouver is trying to find the right balance between fun and safety.
