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Law on licensed premises and registered clubs

Find out how licensing laws are applied in Northern Ireland. This includes what liquor licenses are and how to apply.

Liquor licences

Liquor licensing is regulated by legislation in Northern Ireland, which provides for 12 types of premises to be licensed to sell alcohol to the public. There are different conditions attached to each type of premises. The premises are:

  • pubs
  • off-licences
  • hotels
  • guest houses
  • restaurants
  • conference centres
  • higher education institutions
  • places of public entertainment (theatres, ballrooms, race tracks)
  • refreshment rooms in public transport premises (railway or bus stations, airports and harbours)
  • seamen’s canteens
  • indoor arenas
  • non-seagoing vessels
  • Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 - Office of public Information website

Applying for a liquor licence

Applicants must apply to the courts for a liquor licence and demonstrate that certain conditions have been met, in particular that:

  • the licence holder is fit to hold a licence
  • the premises are suitable for the sale of alcohol

Registered clubs’ law

Private member clubs who wish to supply alcohol to members and their guests are regulated by legislation in Northern Ireland.  Clubs must apply to the courts for a certificate of registration and demonstrate that they comply with strict conditions which prove that they are run in good faith as a club.

For more information on the relevant legislation, please use the link below:

Reform of the licensing and clubs laws

The current laws will be reformed in two stages. The first stage, which should see legislation take effect in 2011, will introduce stricter enforcement measures to address the growing alcohol-related problems of underage drinking, harm to public health and increasing incidence of public disorder in Northern Ireland.  The measures proposed are:

  • a new penalty points system for persistent offenders
  • new powers to enable the police to close licensed premises in the event of nuisance or disturbance
  • a more flexible accounting system for registered clubs
  • an increase in the number of occasions each year on which registered clubs may keep their bar open to 1.00am rather than the earlier closing time of 11.00pm
  • a new statutory proof of age scheme

The second stage reforms, which would fundamentally change current licensing arrangements, were due to take place once the Review of Public Administration (RPA) was complete and a new system of local government had bedded down.

The aims of the Stage two reforms were to:

  • simplify and harmonise the sale and supply of alcohol
  • make regulation more efficient, effective and accountable
  • make systems more responsive and accessible to local residents, planners, decisionmakers and those on which local economies rely, including the licensed, hospitality, retail and other business sectors

More useful links