That’s what various blog friends are emailing me in the latest.
For those who don’t recall, the city passed a motion a couple of weeks ago to deal with restaurant hours, which will allow a bunch of restaurants to now stay open to 1 a.m. on weekdays, 2 a.m. on weekends. That meant a few got rolled back, but now everyone is on an even playing field.
But, along with that, there was another bylaw change that stipulated that those restaurants, all of them with what’s called a food primary licence, had to serve at least 50 per cent food out of their total billings in any eight-hour period, with 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. being the critical one.
That prompted an uproar from restaurant operators, who claimed they were vulnerable to attacks by anal and nerdy inspectors who would ding them if people were ordering $40 bottles of wine with their $12 hamburgers.
From what I’m hearing via the email vine, that reading of that bylaw has now been withdrawn. Awaiting further word.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Frothingham // Nov 2, 2009 at 9:58 pm
when it comes to licensing of alcohol and restaurants / cafes this city is totally ficken mess!
FB when you were in bologna did you see wanton drunkenness. Did you see abusing alcohol? I’ll venture to say that you did not. In Italy one can consume an espresso with grappa or brandy in a simple coffee bar.. never mind restaurants etc. they serve this very same thing along the freeways of italy in the Auto Grills. And yet in this Presbyterian throttled “city” we have to put up this antiquated laws pertaining to food and alcohol. Frigtards!
2 Not Running for Mayor // Nov 3, 2009 at 7:19 am
Expect the motion to come back almost unchanged, it appears the only change will be the removal of the 8hr rolling block and the 24hr timeframe reinstated. That will buy restaurants room under the cap.
3 some guy // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:09 am
Good god, this city is stuck in the dark ages. Is it any wonder that it was once illegal to operate a business here on Sundays. And this wasn’t that long ago, either. You couldn’t buy baby food on the Sabbath up until 1979! So much for separation of Church and state. Things are changing in Vancouver, but they have a LOOOONG way to go.
4 spartikus // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:14 am
Good god, this city is stuck in the dark ages.
Before everyone starts the 2 minute hate, let’s remember many similar restrictive bylaws exist around the country. It’s a Canadian quirk. Well…anglo-Canadian anyway.
5 some guy // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:39 am
Excellent point.
6 Blaffergassted // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:47 am
And I want more dancing to live music!
7 Rob Cottingham // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:50 pm
As frustrated as I sometimes am by the regulation restaurants face, I find the whole idea of “anal and nerdy inspectors” a lot more intrusive.
Are the folks who inspect the nerdies the same ones who…
…oh, wait. Sorry. Carry on.
8 Wendy // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:34 pm
My favourite rule for a restaurant to obtain a liquor license is the parking requirement.
9 Chris Keam // Nov 4, 2009 at 7:39 am
Drinking and driving is still a problem in Italy. However, they also have a .05 limit, stiff penalties, and regarding drinking near freeways, it’s my understanding that sale of liquor with an alcohol content over 21% is banned between 10pm and 6am.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55396
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6920720.stm
10 Frothingham // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:05 pm
So the “Liquor Police” will taser you in your seat if you are caught drinking a $100 bottle of Burrowing Owl with your $32 Alberta top Sirloin steak. Asshats!
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