The Liquor Licensing laws changed on 6 April 2023.
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 (the Act) makes changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. The Department has produced a guide which provides a summary of each of these provisions. All of the changes effected by the Act have now commenced. The tables below show the commencement date for each of the provisions of the Act.
The following provisions came into effect on 6 April 2022.
| PHASE 2 - commenced on 6 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 |
| 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 provision came into effect on 1 June 2022
| Phase 3 - commenced 1 June 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Section | Section name |
| Changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 | |
| 11 | Sales and consumption of intoxicating liquor in local producer's premises |
The following provisions came into effect on 1 October 2022.
| Phase 4 - commenced 1 October 2022 | |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 |
The final provision came into effect on 6 April 2023.
| Phase 5 - commenced 6 April 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Section | Section name |
| Changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 | |
| 20 | Prohibition of loyalty schemes |