Effective immediately British Columbians can now bring their own wine into participating restaurants to enjoy with their meals.
There is no list of participating restaurants, as the decision to participate is voluntary, but restaurants can advertise if they are taking part in the incentive.
The decision also applies only to wine, and there are no plans to broaden this to include beer and spirits.
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“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. “Today’s change does just that – it allows customers to pair their favourite wine with their favourite restaurant.”
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 could be up to $20 – $25 in some cases.
“The government continues to introduce common-sense solutions such as the Bring Your Own Wine program,” said Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Service Association. “This gives industry the needed flexibility to get people out and dine more.”
Licensees are still liable if patrons are over-served or liquor service is provided to minors. “By allowing people to bring their own bottle of wine into their favourite dining establishment, we’ve provided restaurant owners with a great opportunity to create a new type of dining experience that will further promote our wonderful restaurants here in British Columbia,” said Coleman.
These changes build on the B.C. government’s commitment to modernize B.C.’s liquor laws.
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