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Liquor licences
Lounge licence
A lounge licence is required for selling liquor in public places such as bars or nightclubs. A lounge licence does not permit persons under the age of nineteen to be on the licensed premises without parental or spousal accompaniment.
The licensing fee must be received with the initial application.
- 30 seats or less - $325
- Over 30 seats - $850
Licensing Registration Form Permanent Liquor Establishment (PDF 688 KB)
Dining-room licence
A dining-room licence is required for selling liquor in public places such as bars, restaurants or pubs that sell food.
The licensing fee of $350 must be received with the initial application.
Licensing Registration Form Permanent Liquor Establishment (PDF 688 KB)
Wine serving licence
A wine serving licence is required to serve wine supplied by a customer who is 19 years of age or older. The wine serving licensee may not hold any other licence under the Liquor Control Act (meaning no liquor remains on site).
The application fee of $50 must be received with the initial application.
Special facility licence
A special facility licence is required to sell liquor in a public place such as a sporting, cultural or theatrical establishment, as well as a trade and convention centre, hotel/motel complexes, excursion boats, and federal/provincial/municipal parks.
The licensing fee must be received with the initial application.
- 25 seats or less - $325
- Over 25 seats - $850
Licensing Registration Form Permanent Liquor Establishment (PDF 688 KB)
Club licence
A club licence is required to sell liquor in a forces canteen or a non-profit organization that is not operated for the personal benefit of any member or shareholder.
The licensing fee of $175 must be received with the initial application.
Licensing Registration Form Permanent Liquor Establishment (PDF 688 KB)
Catering licence
A catering licence is required by someone who holds another liquor licence under the Liquor Control Act and wishes to cater liquor with food outside of their licensed establishment.
The application fee of $175 must be received with the initial application.
Licensing Registration Form Permanent Liquor Establishment (PDF 688 KB)
Special event licence
A special events licence is required for events of seven or fewer days where liquor will be served in public places such as festivals and community events, including outdoor areas. Special events licences issued for public events must be conducted without the intention of commercial or personal gain or profit.
The application fee is $100 per day for the duration of the event.
Licensing Registration Form Permanent Liquor Establishment (PDF 688 KB)
Entertainment/exotic licence
An entertainment/exotic licence is required for live entertainment within an existing liquor licensed establishment.
The application fee is $75 for live entertainment or $750 for exotic entertainment.
Sacramental wine vendor’s licence
A sacramental wine vendor's licence is required for persons who sell wine to the clergy.
The licensing fee of $100 must be received with the initial application.
Brewer’s licence
A brewer's licence is required for a manufacturer of beer for commercial purposes. To manufacture beer, licensees are also required to be duly licensed by the Government of Canada under the Excise Tax Act of Canada
- Where 500,000 litres of beer or less are manufactured per year - $100
- Where more than 500,000 litres are manufactured per year - $2,500
Distiller’s licence
A distiller's licence is required for a manufacturer of spirits for commercial purposes.
- Where 75,000 litres of liquor or less are manufactured per year - $100
- Where more than 75,000 litres of liquor are manufactured per year - $2,500
Winery licence
A winery licence is required for a manufacturer of wine for commercial purposes.
- Where 100,000 litres of wine or less are manufactured per year - $100
- Where more than 100,000 litres of wine are manufactured per year - $2,500
Other licensing information
A licence extension can be authorized for a special event for a fee of $150.
Additional application fee for a dining room licence, lounge licence, club licence, special facility licence or an in-house brewery licence - $100.
For more information refer to the designated Fact Sheets or SNB’s hospitality information.
Liquor permits
Special permit (scientific pursuit)
A special permit is required for liquor use by a pharmacist, dentist, veterinary or medical practitioner. It is also required for liquor use by a person engaged in a mechanical or manufacturing business or in scientific pursuits.
The application for, or renewal of, the special permit requires a completed Special Permit Application (PDF 540 KB) and a $10 fee.
Special permit (food preparation/overnight accommodations)
A special permit is required for the use of liquor in the preparation of food. The application for, or renewal of, the special permit requires a completed Special Permit Application (474 KB) and a $50 fee.
Special occasion permits
A special occasion permit (no sale) is required for the giving of liquor at a one-day event (i.e wedding, family reunion, milestone birthday). Applicants will need a completed Special Occasion Permit Application (PDF 561 KB) and a $30 fee.
A special occasion permit (resale) is required for the selling of liquor at one-day events such as weddings, family reunions, milestone birthdays, etc. Applicants will need a completed Special Occasion Permit Application (PDF 561 KB) and a $65 fee.