B.C. government to end cordoned-off beer gardens at music festivals

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      Those pesky fences will soon be coming down at beer gardens at music festivals in B.C.

      Actually, the beer garden is going away all together at festivals and entertainment events, the B.C. government announced today (January 31).

      "Once legislative changes are made, festival goers will be able to roam the grounds with a pint, rather than being restricted to a cordoned-off beer garden. This will help decrease costs for festival organizers and allow parents with kids to enjoy a beer and remain with their family, as they might at a hockey game. In addition, mixed spirit drinks - rather than only beer, wine, cider and cooler products - will also be permitted at events like music festivals and regattas, with continued restriction of sales to minors," a Ministry of Justice news release states.

      Bob D'Eith, executive director of Music BC, likes the idea.

      "Opening up music festivals to whole-site licensing over the 'beer garden' model is a very positive move," D'Eith said in the province's release. "This will allow families to stay together at events, reduce costs for festival organizers and make the festival experience that much better for all fans of live music. We are optimistic that this and other positive changes announced today will help to keep B.C. venues and festivals going strong for years to come."

      The government also plans to allow spirit-based liquor sales in the stands at stadiums and arenas. This is currently only permitted in private boxes or premium seats.

      As well, it will be easier to get liquored up at hotels. The government plans to permit visitors to carry alcoholic drinks from the hotel bar to their room.  

      "The B.C. government will also extend the hours that patrons can receive liquor through room service, enabling further growth opportunities for the industry and enhancing guests' experiences," the release states.

      The government says it supports all 73 recommendations in the final report of its liquor policy review.

      Comments

      22 Comments

      Alex T

      Jan 31, 2014 at 12:36pm

      At a time when alcohol is easy to get, we're making it even easier, despite the health and social costs. Meanwhile we continue to spend police time & money to lock up people for simple pot possession. The government has its priorities badly screwed up.

      Mark

      Jan 31, 2014 at 1:05pm

      About time!

      Robb

      Jan 31, 2014 at 1:44pm

      From my understanding, by a mistake, the liquor license that covered the Burnaby Roots and Blues festival site did not require a fenced in beer garden and reflected the new change and rules and from my years of experience attending the site I never once saw an incident or problem where you could purchase beer and head back to your piece of grass to enjoy the show. Its about time.

      Nicole Chaplain-Pearman

      Jan 31, 2014 at 1:47pm

      All restrictive laws do is make life miserable for law abiding people. Good for the B.C. gov't on this one! If people get obnoxious, punish THEM not everybody else. I maintain the idea of "Do whatever as long as you don't bug anybody else." We need to do away with more of this nanny state stuff.

      John

      Jan 31, 2014 at 1:53pm

      About time!

      Bruce Dean

      Jan 31, 2014 at 2:39pm

      ...oddly, BC keeps loosening the liquor laws while arresting record numbers of marijuana smokers.

      John K

      Jan 31, 2014 at 2:49pm

      The BC Govt may be looking for ways to continue their cash cow with the new unconstitutional drinking and driving laws in BC. As they and various private entities and corporations are all profiting very well by the changes put in place a few years ago, at the expense of the taxpayer (once all hidden costs and job losses leading to welfare roles filling up are factored in)

      Alan Layton

      Jan 31, 2014 at 4:29pm

      I look forward to the time when we can bring in our own booze and just get fucking hammered. There's nothing better than hurling a beer bottle at an act when they don't play the songs I want them to play.

      Bitcoin

      Jan 31, 2014 at 6:29pm

      Canada has finally reached the 21st century in terms of liquor laws!

      YAAA

      Jan 31, 2014 at 6:31pm

      Bc enters this century, 114 years late but road blocks on every corner in a ten mile radius for each festival.