BC liquor rules for diners: bringing your own wine, ID, PST on drinks and what is on the bill

Eating out in British Columbia is straightforward, but the liquor rules and the tax on alcohol catch people out. Here are the points a diner is most likely to meet, from ID and corkage to the extra tax on a glass of wine. For the current rules, the BC government's liquor and sales tax pages are the place to look.

How old do you have to be to drink in British Columbia?

The legal drinking age is 19. A restaurant or bar can ask for photo ID, and can refuse service without it. Carry a driver's licence, passport or BC identification card. A server who refuses you is following the law, not making a personal judgement.

Can you bring your own wine to a restaurant in BC?

Sometimes. Since 2012, restaurants in British Columbia have been allowed to let diners bring their own wine. It is the restaurant's choice, so it is not a right. Those that take part set their own corkage fee, which is a charge for opening and serving your bottle. Fees vary by restaurant. The rule covers wine only, not beer or spirits.

Practical tips:

• Phone the restaurant first. Ask if they allow it, what the corkage fee is and whether there is a limit on bottles.
• Bring a bottle that is not on their list, as a courtesy.
• Do not be surprised if a fine-dining room declines.
• Tip on the full value of the service, including the work done opening and pouring the wine.

Why do some restaurants ask whether you are eating?

In British Columbia, a restaurant normally holds a food-primary licence, which exists for businesses whose main purpose is serving food. Others hold a liquor-primary licence, which covers bars and pubs where drinking is the main activity. The licence type can affect the rules for minors, the hours and the layout. A food-primary restaurant must make food available while it serves alcohol.

Who is allowed to serve you?

Licensees, managers and servers who serve alcohol need a Serving It Right certificate, a provincial responsible service course. It teaches them to spot signs of intoxication and to refuse service. If a server declines to pour you another drink, it is because the law says they must not over-serve, and the business can be held responsible.

What tax is added to alcohol?

The bill in a British Columbia restaurant works like this:

Item	Tax usually added
Food and non-alcoholic drinks	5% GST
Alcohol	5% GST plus 10% PST

So a glass of wine costs more at the till than its menu price suggests. Most menus show prices before tax, though a few include it, so look at the foot of the menu. The BC government's sales tax pages list the current rates.

How should you tip on drinks?

A tip of 15 to 20 percent on the pre-tax total is customary, and that includes drinks. At a bar, many people tip a dollar or two a drink for simple pours, or 15 to 20 percent on a tab. Card terminals may calculate suggested percentages on the taxed total, so use the custom option if you want to tip on the subtotal.

What if you are driving?

British Columbia has strict impaired-driving laws, including administrative penalties that apply even below the criminal limit. Plan a driver, a taxi or transit. Many restaurants will call a taxi for you.

What if a restaurant gets the bill wrong?

Check the bill before you pay. Look for the correct GST on food, the PST on alcohol, any automatic gratuity for large groups and any corkage fee you agreed. If something looks wrong, ask politely at the table, and a good restaurant will fix it. If you cannot resolve a charge on your card, contact the card issuer. Keep your receipt until the charge settles.

What about alcohol-free drinks?

Most restaurants now offer a good selection of alcohol-free options, including zero-proof cocktails, craft sodas and non-alcoholic beer. They do not carry the extra PST that alcohol does.

Where do you check the current rules?

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch of the provincial government publishes the current rules, and the BC government's sales tax pages list the current tax rates. If a restaurant tells you something that does not match, ask politely.

How does Mosey fit a night out with wine?

Mosey is about the food on the table. When a dish pairs well with what is in the glass, rate the dish in the Mosey app and add a tag so the next diner knows what to look for. Keep a list of the restaurants worth a special evening and share it with the friends you would take, and rate the best dish of your next dinner out.

More guides to read next:

• Kelowna food and wine guide: Bernard Avenue, the farmers market and winery lunches
• Penticton and Naramata wine country guide: benches, orchards and where to eat
• Whistler food guide: Village, Creekside and Function Junction, plus après ski

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.