British Columbians can now bring their own bottle of wine into participating restaurants.
“We want to provide our restaurant industry with greater flexibility in terms of the services it can offer to its customers,” said Rich Coleman, minister responsible for liquor.”
Patrons will be required to have the wine served in the same manner as wine selected from the menu, and restaurants may charge a corkage fee for this service.
This change is supported by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association and the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
Participation in this service by licensed restaurants is voluntary.
Licensees are still liable if patrons are over-served or liquor service is provided to minors. As it is in other provinces, there are no plans to broaden this program beyond wine to include beer and spirits.
