You can soon enjoy booze at these Vancouver public plazas year-round & here’s what to know

Get ready for some serious summer sips, Vancouver, because the City just announced the return and expansion of its Drinking in Public Plazas Program. The best part? You’ll be able to share a couple of drinks with friends all year long!

After three successful seasons, the Vancouver City Council has voted to expand the program into a year-round initiative for 2023 and 2024, which include the following six participating plazas:

• Cambie Street and West 17th Avenue (Plaza steward: Cambie Village Business Association)
• Cambie Street and West 18th Avenue (Cambie Village Business Association)
• Granville Street and West 13th Avenue (South Granville Business Improvement Association)
• Granville Street and West 14th Avenue (South Granville Business Improvement Association)
• Lot 19, 855 West Hastings Street (Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association)
• Main Street and East 21st Avenue (Coco et Olive, Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, residents)

As well, the plaza at Maple Street and West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano will allow public drinking for the first time, and will be open from May 15th to October 31st.

“Time and time again we have seen that Vancouverites can be trusted to safely and responsibly enjoy alcoholic drinks in shared public spaces,” says Mayor Ken Sim. “Community connection and spaces for public life are so important for our well-being and quality of life. Having plazas that allow alcohol consumption year-round will help make our city more vibrant while supporting local businesses.”

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Plaza hours

From May 15th to October 16th, all participating plazas will operate daily between 11 am and 9 pm. For the rest of the year (October 17th to May 14th, 2024), plazas will operate from 11 am to 5 pm.

“We’re committed to supporting vibrant public spaces that offer something for everyone,” says Lisa Parker, Director of Public Space and Street Use. ”The Drinking in Public Plazas Program continues to be a success because of our plaza and community partners, who steward and care for these spaces daily, making sure they are safe and inclusive for residents and visitors.”

Note that temporary portable washrooms will be installed in plazas that are not already within walking distance of public washrooms.