SMART SERVE REGULATIONS 2025
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 conditions the law and regulations
that along with the Standards influence the selling, serving, and delivery of
alcohol in Ontario. True or False? ANSWER TRUE — The Liquor Licence and
Control Act, 2019 conditions the law and regulations that along with the
Standards influence the selling, serving, and delivery of alcohol in Ontario.
Liquor Sales Licenses are provided by the government of Canada. True or
False? ANSWER FALSE — Liquor Sales Licenses come from the Alcohol and
Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO is also entitled to
suspend or take away a liquor sales license.
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) ANSWER The Liquor
Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) is the legislation that controls the sale,
service, and delivery of alcohol in Ontario.
A Liquor Sales Licence from the AGCO is required for businesses to sell or
serve alcohol.
To serve alcohol at events held other than in licensed establishments or private
places, Special Occasion Permits are required.
Selling or serving alcohol to anyone under 19 in Ontario is a violation of the
LLCA.
The LLCA and AGCO ensure responsible and safe handling of alcohol in
Ontario.
Service Times - ANSWER Acceptable hours for the sale and service of
alcohol in a licensed establishment are:
Monday to Sunday:9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
New Year's Eve (December 31st):9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
, Daylight savings:
Fall: The clock is to be set back from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and you may then
continue to serve until the stop-service time of 2:00 a.m.
Spring: Spring the clock forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. At this time the
sale of liquor must stop.
House Rules - ANSWER An establishment shall not have a minimum drink
purchase as a condition of entry to, or to remain on the premises.
Orders taken for alcohol must be served prior to the stop-service time. Example:
You cannot serve drinks after 2:00 a.m. if you took the order at 1:55 a.m.
(except on New Year's Eve).
All alcohol and its containers (including empty glasses and bottles) must be
cleared away within 45 minutes of the stop-service time on the licence. For
example, by 2:45 a.m. for most establishments where the stop-service time is
2:00 a.m.
Alcohol Service - ANSWER Only sell and serve alcohol purchased on licence
from the LCBO, The Beer Store and/or manufacturer's retail stores.
Do not substitute one type of liquor for another without the customer's
permission.
Do not dilute a drink or otherwise tamper with it without advising the customer
of the modification at the time of sale or service. Record the modification and
date for at least one year.
Offer a number of drinks that contain no alcohol.
Licensed Area ANSWER Licensees may choose to license their entire
premises - often referred to as ancillary areas - under their liquor sales licence.
This would permit customers of that licensed establishment to have unrestricted
mobility and retain their alcoholic beverages in their possession in all licensed
areas. This could include washrooms, hallways and stairwells.
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 conditions the law and regulations
that along with the Standards influence the selling, serving, and delivery of
alcohol in Ontario. True or False? ANSWER TRUE — The Liquor Licence and
Control Act, 2019 conditions the law and regulations that along with the
Standards influence the selling, serving, and delivery of alcohol in Ontario.
Liquor Sales Licenses are provided by the government of Canada. True or
False? ANSWER FALSE — Liquor Sales Licenses come from the Alcohol and
Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO is also entitled to
suspend or take away a liquor sales license.
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) ANSWER The Liquor
Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) is the legislation that controls the sale,
service, and delivery of alcohol in Ontario.
A Liquor Sales Licence from the AGCO is required for businesses to sell or
serve alcohol.
To serve alcohol at events held other than in licensed establishments or private
places, Special Occasion Permits are required.
Selling or serving alcohol to anyone under 19 in Ontario is a violation of the
LLCA.
The LLCA and AGCO ensure responsible and safe handling of alcohol in
Ontario.
Service Times - ANSWER Acceptable hours for the sale and service of
alcohol in a licensed establishment are:
Monday to Sunday:9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
New Year's Eve (December 31st):9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
, Daylight savings:
Fall: The clock is to be set back from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and you may then
continue to serve until the stop-service time of 2:00 a.m.
Spring: Spring the clock forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. At this time the
sale of liquor must stop.
House Rules - ANSWER An establishment shall not have a minimum drink
purchase as a condition of entry to, or to remain on the premises.
Orders taken for alcohol must be served prior to the stop-service time. Example:
You cannot serve drinks after 2:00 a.m. if you took the order at 1:55 a.m.
(except on New Year's Eve).
All alcohol and its containers (including empty glasses and bottles) must be
cleared away within 45 minutes of the stop-service time on the licence. For
example, by 2:45 a.m. for most establishments where the stop-service time is
2:00 a.m.
Alcohol Service - ANSWER Only sell and serve alcohol purchased on licence
from the LCBO, The Beer Store and/or manufacturer's retail stores.
Do not substitute one type of liquor for another without the customer's
permission.
Do not dilute a drink or otherwise tamper with it without advising the customer
of the modification at the time of sale or service. Record the modification and
date for at least one year.
Offer a number of drinks that contain no alcohol.
Licensed Area ANSWER Licensees may choose to license their entire
premises - often referred to as ancillary areas - under their liquor sales licence.
This would permit customers of that licensed establishment to have unrestricted
mobility and retain their alcoholic beverages in their possession in all licensed
areas. This could include washrooms, hallways and stairwells.
