B.C. government reduces red tape around restaurant lounges and entertainment rules

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      The restaurant industry has welcomed the latest relaxation around liquor rules.

      The announcement occurred at Luke's Corner Bar and Kitchen in the South Granville neighbourhood.

      There the parliamentary secretary for liquor reform, John Yap, said restaurants don't have to provide a separate lounge area for customers who want to drink alcohol.

      The government is also no longer requiring restaurants to apply for a permit to host live entertainment as long as patrons aren't participants.

      Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, told the Straight that the old rules were an inconvenience to the public.

      "Before, it was...go sit over there if you want a drink [and] if you decided to eat, sit over here," he said. "It made no sense. This was a good change."

      Tostenson noted that this will make it more efficient for restaurants to seat customers.

      He also pointed out that if restaurants bring in live entertainment, they will have to conform to municipal noise bylaws.

      But he said there are virtually no restrictions on who could perform apart from customers.

      "We've been doing this liquor consultation for about a year and a half, and there's a lot more to go," Tostenson said. "I think John [Yap] is sort of halfway there." 

      So could this result in live strip shows in restaurants?

      Tostenson acknowledged that this would be a possibility provided all patrons were 19 years or older.

      Under Section 50 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, a municipality or regional district may still restrict or prohibit any form of entertainment within its boundaries.

      Any business that violates the regulation around exotic dancers or strippers could face fines of $5,000 to $7,000 and a licence suspension of four to seven days on a first offence.

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