In Vancouver, and the rest of British Columbia, alcohol can be purchased at goverment run liquor stores, wine stores, beer and wine stores, pubs, bars, lounges, clubs and some restaurants. It is also available at many golf courses and at concerts, sporting events and festivals.

Besides government run liquor stores, you can purchase wine at private wine shops and at BC VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) shops. Private wine shops often have wine that is not available in government wine stores. BC VQA shops sell only BC VQA wines.

Alcohol is not sold in supermarkets, convenience stores or vending machines.

The legal drinking age in British Columbia is 19.

Most Canadian beers contain 5% alcohol. You can check the can or bottle for the exact percentage of alcohol since alcohol content is listed on all Canadian beer.

In some US states, including California, beer with a 5% alcohol content cannot be called beer. It has to be called stout, lager, ale or something else. So if you're used to drinking American beer, you may be in for a surprise with the stronger Canadian beer. Also note that some American beer brewed in Canada may have a higher alcohol content than its American counterpart.

Government liquor stores sell no soft drinks. Beside hard liquor, they sell soft cider and "non-alcoholic" beer and wine with an alcohol content of about .5%.

Government liquor stores recycle everything they sell: beer and wine bottles, beer cans and the boxes they came in. They refund the 10 or 20 cent deposit you paid on cans and bottles. About 85% of all cans, bottles and packaging sold in BC Liquor Stores is returned.

For more information, go to www.bcliquorstores.com

Broadway International Wine Merchant 2752 West Broadway Vancouver, BC 604-734-8543
Liberty Wine Merchant Point Grey Place Vancouver, BC 604-224-8050
Marquis Wine Cellar 1034 Davie Vancouver, BC 604-684-0445
Dundarave Wine Cellar 2448 Marine Drive West Vancouver, BC 604-921-1814

Government Liquor Stores Open on Sunday

Most liquor stores are closed on Sunday. Recently, the policy was changed, and now the following liquor stores in Vancouver and the North Shore are open seven days a week:

5555 Cambie St at 39th 11-6 Sunday
1191 Robson Street 12-7 Sunday
1120 Alberni at Thurlow 11-7
570 Park Royal North West Vancouver 12-6

There are 31 liquor stores in Vancouver and the North Shore:

16 in Vancouver West
7 in Vancouver East
5 in North Vancouver
3 in West Vancouver

For more information, go to www.bcliquorstores.com