The Liquor Licensing laws changed on 1 October 2021.
In Northern Ireland, alcohol may only be sold to the public in licensed premises. The Licensing (NI) Order 1996 specifies the categories of premises for which a licence may be granted.
Private Members’ clubs which wish to supply alcohol to members and guests may apply for a certificate of registration under the Registration of Clubs (NI) Order 1996.
The Department is responsible for liquor licensing and registration of clubs legislation; the courts are responsible for administering it; and the PSNI is responsible for enforcing it.
The Licensing and Regulation of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 makes changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. Not all changes will come in at the same time. A guide to the Phase 1 changes that came in on 1 October 2021 is available. Detail of the remaining changes along with indicative dates is now available. Phase 2 is scheduled to come into effect in April 2022 and the following provisions are expected to be included in phase 2.
| PHASE 2 - Expected commencement date: April 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Section | Section name |
| Changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 | |
| 7 | Major events |
| 9 | Places of public entertainment: inclusion of cinemas |
| 10 | Licence for off-sales |
| 11 | Sales and consumption of intoxicating liquor in local producer's premises |
| 12 | Requirement for off-licence |
| 13 | Removal of requirement for children’s certificate, etc. |
| 14 | Underage functions |
| 15 | Private functions |
| 16 | Delivery of intoxicating liquor to young persons |
| 17 | Restaurants and guest houses: notice displaying licence conditions |
| 22 | Occasional licences: conditions |
| 26 | Body corporate: change of directors |
| Changes to the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 | |
| 28 | Sporting clubs |
| 34 | Major Events |
| 35 | Removal of requirement for children’s certificate, etc. |
| 36 | Underage functions |
| 37 | Private functions |
| 38 | Young people prohibited from bars |
| 40 | Restrictions relating to advertisements |
The following provisions will not come into effect until at least October 2022, but are expected to come into effect by October 2023.
| Remaining Provisions Expected commencement date 2022/23 | |
|---|---|
| Section | Section name |
| Changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 | |
| 18 | Prohibition on self-service and sales by vending machines |
| 19 | Restrictions on off-sales drinks promotions in supermarket’s, etc. |
| 20 | Prohibition of loyalty schemes |
| 25 | Code of practice |
| Changes to the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 | |
| 29 | Consent required for alterations to premises |
| 39 | Prohibition on self-service and supply by vending machines |
| 41 | Code of practice |