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Alcoholic beverages on BC Ferries later this summer

bc ferries, cafe
Coastal Cafe on a BC Ferries vessel.
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Tuesday May 31, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends


Alcoholic beverages in the Coastal Cafe menu on BC Ferries will be introduced by later this summer, it was announced by the transportation provider yesterday.

There were “no issues” with a pilot project. There was successful introduction of wine and beer service in the Pacific Buffet during October 2019 through March 2020, says BC Ferries.

wine, glass

BC Ferries has applied for licences to sell alcoholic beverages with the purchase of a meal in selected Coastal Cafes on board its vessels that sail the three major routes connecting Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Recently, the company received approval in principle, subject to inspectors’ review, from the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for these licences.

Wine, craft beer, ciders and other alcoholic beverages will be introduced to the menu in Coastal Cafes on vessels sailing the following routes:

  • Tsawwassen (Vancouver) – Swartz Bay (Victoria)
  • Tsawwassen (Vancouver ) – Duke Point (Nanaimo)
  • Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) – Departure Bay (Nanaimo)

The new offerings are expected to be introduced by “the end of summer 2022”.

Mitzi Dean

Alcohol will be served in limited quantities by staff who have their Serving It Right certification. The limit will be two drinks per customer age 19+, and must be purchased with a meal.

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