Liquor Licences

There are four types of liquor licence available. The one for you simply depends on what you are looking to do.

In order to assist you in getting a licence, please contact our Liquor Inspectors, who will assist you through the application process and to identify any potential issues to ensure you get your licence as quickly as possible.

The process is generally:

• Submit a complete application to us.
• Publicly notify your application in the Otago Daily Times within 20 working days of lodging your application.
• display a notice attached in a conspicuous place on or adjacent to the site the application refers to.
• We will forward a copy of your application to the Police and Medical Officer of Health (on and club licence applications only), who are required under the Sale of Liquor Act to provide a report within 20 working days on applications. Copies of their reports will be sent to you.
• Any person with an interest greater than the public generally may object to your application within 10 working days of the publication of the first public notice. If any are received, these will be forwarded to you too.
• If there are no objections lodged, we will consider and determine your application.
• If the Licensing Inspector, Police, Medical Officer of Health raise matters in opposition to your application, or objections are received, your application will be referred to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority for determination.

On-Licence – for bars, restaurants and cafes, BYO restaurants and anywhere that sells alcohol to be consumed on the premises.

All on-licences need to have food available on the premises at all times. Under the Queenstown Lakes District Liquor Policy on-licences outside the Queenstown CBD can have the maximum trading hours of 7.00am until 2.30am the following day, those within the CBD can trade from 7.00am until 4.00am the following day. The Alcohol Regulatory and Licencing Authority (ARLA) has issued several decisions stating that restaurants may only trade until 1.30am. (All times listed above are subject to resource consent conditions).

Off-Licence- for bottles stores, on-line stores, supermarkets selling alcohol, caterers and cellar doors, this type of licence is where alcohol is sold with the intention that is taken away to be consumed off the premise.

Under the Queenstown Lakes Liquor Policy off-licences can have the maximum trading hours of 7.00am until Midnight (these hours are subject the resource consent conditions).

Club Licence – this is for any club that is registered as an incorporated society. You will also need to employ someone with a General Managers certificate or Club Managers certificate.

Special Licence – this is needed where

• An event is being held in a place that is not licensed e.g. a park or community hall
• The event will run outside the licensed premises current hours.

Anyone can apply for a special licence, but must demonstrate that an event is taking place, and it will be managed in a responsible way. In general special licences will need to have a certified manager. If you are attending an event where you will be selling liquor please contact the event organiser first.