Municipal Alcohol Policy

 

• Start to plan at least 6 months before your event takes place
• Check with City Staff to find out what applications must be completed
• Apply for your Special Occasion Permit (SOP) www.agco.on.ca
• Meet with the Supervisor of the event location to develop your operations plan
• Understand your role and responsibilities as the event organizer

PREPARE

• Arrange for special event liability insurance ($5 million) that names the City of Hamilton as additional insured
• Develop a safe transportation strategy to get your guests home safely
• Use event workers with Smart Serve training
• Recruit enough event workers to meet the worker-to-guest ratio
• Organize training for your event workers. Outline their roles at the event to ensure the MAP is followed.
• Arrange for food to be served at your event
• Have paper or plastic cups for serving drinks
• Plan to offer a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks
• Buy alcohol approved under your Special Occasion Permit (SOP) from the LCBO or Beer Store, or hire a caterer with a catering endorsement
• Have copies of your SOP, event worker Smart Serve cards, rental permit and insurance certificate at the event

PROTECT

• Make sure event workers are visible. They should wear identifiable clothing or identification.
• Post necessary signage at your event
• Do not permit entry or service to people who appear to be intoxicated
• Check identification and accept only government-issued photo identification
• Serve only standard drinks. These are:
• 12 oz (341 mL) bottle of 5% beer
• 5 oz (142 mL) glass of 12% wine
• 1 1/2 oz (43 mL) shot of 40% spirits
• You and your event workers must not consume alcohol during the event
• Follow the rules outlined on page 15 of the Municipal Alcohol Policy (pdf), including: no "last call" and serving a maximun of two drinks at a time
• Offer a selection of food at the event such as sandwiches or a light meal

Downloads & Application Forms:

City of Hamilton MAP information

• The complete Municipal Alcohol Policy (Operating Standards and Procedures) (pdf)
• Municipal Alcohol Policy brochure (pdf)
• City of Hamilton Designated Properties List (pdf) 

Special Occasion Permit (SOP) & Temporary Liquor License application information

• Online: Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario www.agco.on.ca
• Notifying the City of  Hamilton of your application:
• NOTIFYING THE CITY INFO SHEET
• SOP/TEMPORARY EXTENSION IN HOUSE APPLICATION FORM
  

Social Host Responsibilities & Liability

• Tips for Hosting a Party
• Parties and Liability
• Standard Drinks and Low Risk Drinking Guidelines 

Smart Serve Training

• Online: www.smartserve.org
• In Person through Mohawk College's Continuing Education Hospitality & Travel program