01 Apr 2015

Bottle stores will not be opened during Good Friday and Easter Monday while bars will only be opened between 3pm and 10pm

A press release from the Ministry of Trade and Industry states that restaurants that sell liquor are only permitted to sell liquor to bona fide diners at those restaurants between 12 noon and 2:30pm in the afternoon as well as between 6:30pm and 10:30pm on a daily basis.

The ministry reminds the general public and liquor traders that the official trading hours as stipulated in the second schedule of the Liquor Trading Regulations of 2008 will prevail during the Easter Holidays.

With Good Friday and Easter Monday being official holidays, the Saturday and Sunday between them normal weekend days, and the Thursday before the holidays also a normal weekday, those official trading hours are as follows:

1.     A bar liquor licence authorises the sale and consumption of liquor on the licensed premises between 14:00 and 22:00 from Monday to Thursday, 12:00 to 23:00 on Friday and Saturday, and 15:00 to 22:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

2.     A bottle store licence authorises the sale of liquor to members of the public for consumption off the premises between 10:00 and 19:00 on Monday to Saturday.  On Sundays and public holidays no bottle store shall be open.

3.     A wholesale and distributor liquor licence authorizes the sale of liquor for consumption off the premises between 08:00 and 17:00 on Monday to Saturday.  On Sundays and public holidays no wholesale liquor and distributor shall be open.

4.     A discotheque/night club license authorizes the sale and consumption of liquor on licensed premises between 19:00 and 00:00 from Monday to Thursday, 19:00 and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 15:00 to 22:00 on Saturdays and public holidays.

5.     A club liquor license authorizes the sale and consumption of liquor on the licensed premises between 14:00 and 22:00 from Monday to Thursday 12:00 and 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 15:00 and 22:00 on Saturdays and public holidays.

6.     A liquor depot license authorizes the sale and consumption of traditional beer on the licenses premises between 14:00 and 22:00 from Monday to Thursday, 12:00 and 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 15:00 to0 22:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

7.     No liquor shall be served in restaurants except between 12:00 and 14:30 and between 18:30 and 22:30 on a daily basis.  Licencees are also reminded that intoxicating liquors should only be served to bon-fide diners in the restaurants, and for consumption on the premises.

8.     A temporary liquor licence for festivals and other public activities authorizes the sale of liquor between 14:00 and 00:00 on Mondays to Saturdays.

9.     A temporary liquor licence for picnic authorizes the sale of liquor between 12:00 to 19:00 on Mondays to Saturdays.

10. A temporary liquor licence for trade fairs authorizes the sale of liquor between 12:00 and 19:00 on Mondays to Saturdays.

The public and traders are also reminded that licensees are not permitted to sell intoxicating liquor to any person known or could reasonably be believed to be under the age of 18 years.

All liquor business operators and/or managers are therefore adviced to observe and comply with the provisions of the Liquor Act and its regulations as stated above. ENDS