The festive season is upon us once again!
Whether you're stocking up for your seasonal party, planning a 12 pubs of Christmas venture, or just need to make a late-night tipple run - you'll want to keep the licensing laws in mind.
Over Christmas , the times during which alcohol may be sold on licensed premises in Northern Ireland is slightly different to the rest of the year.
Licensed premises include businesses such as bars, restaurants, hotels and theatres who hold a licence to sell alcohol or a ‘liquor licence’.
Some licensed premises have a ‘late licence’ that normally allows them to sell alcohol as late as 1am, instead of the usual limit of 11pm.
NI Business Info have shared all the information you'll need for planning your night out this Christmas.
Northern Ireland Christmas licensing hours 2019
The permitted hours that licensed premises can sell alcohol during the Christmas period are:
- Christmas Eve, 24 December 2019 - Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30 - 23:00, those with a ‘late licence’ may sell alcohol until midnight. Off-licences may sell alcohol 08:00-23:00.
- Christmas day, 25 December 2019 - Licensed premises may sell alcohol 12:30 – 22:00, even if they hold a late licence. Off-licences are not allowed to sell alcohol at all.
- Boxing Day, 26 December 2019 – As usual. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30 - 23:00, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 01:00. Off-licences may sell alcohol 08:00-23:00.
- New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2019 - As usual. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30 - 23:00, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 01:00. Off-licences may sell alcohol 08:00 - 23:00.
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