Liquor Takeout & Delivery — Eligibility Requirements

To support restaurants, bars and other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government temporarily expanded opportunities in liquor sales, including the sale of liquor with food takeout and delivery orders. These changes were made permanent on December 9, 2020.

To offer the sale of liquor with food takeout and delivery orders, a business must hold a Liquor Sales Licence for the sale, service and consumption of liquor at the licensed premises.  

While all types of businesses may be eligible for a liquor sales licence, not all businesses that hold a liquor sales licence may sell liquor for takeout and delivery.

To help determine if a licensee is eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery, see below for some of the key requirements. 

Note: These requirements do not represent all aspects of requirements for takeout and delivery of liquor with food and only act as guidance. They should not be considered comprehensive or exhaustive.

Licensees should familiarize themselves with applicable sections of the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, Regulation 746/21 (Licensing), and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor to ensure they are in compliance. 

  • Does the business hold a Liquor Sales Licence for sale, service and consumption of liquor at the licensed premises?
    • Yes: Eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery
      If all other requirements are met

      Is the licensed premise a convenience store, grocery store, department store, or big box store, or located within such a store?
      • Yes: Not eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery
      • No: When was the licence issued or transferred?
        • Before Dec 9 2020: Eligible to sell liquote with food for takeout and delivery
        • After Dec 9 2020: Is the sale and service of food and liquor for consumption on premises the primary purpose of the licensed premises?
          • No: Not eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery
          • Yes: Is the licensed premise located within another commercial establishment other than a shopping mall?

            NOTE: A commercial establishment refers to another business (or part of a business) where activities other than the sale, service and consumption of liquor take place at the same location (i.e. a bar within a hotel, a restaurant within a grocery store).
            • No: Eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery
            • Yes: Not eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery
    • No: Not eligible to sell liquor with food for takeout and delivery.