You might be in the mood to party hard while hanging out in Vancouver's downtown core, but police have issued a stern reminder that "open alcohol in public places is prohibited."
One pressure point is the Granville Entertainment District, where VPD officers report a 607 per cent in liquor pour-outs since June 1, compared to the same period last year. That's an 84 per cent increase since 2019, adds the VPD.
“The Granville Mall is a place people are congregating and drinking. This in turn, is leading to more and more disturbances, assaults and other crimes occurring in the area that are fuelled by liquor," said VPD Const. Tania Visintin in a media release issued Aug. 13.
The uptick in pour-outs comes despite the fact that there has also been an increase in the number of designated spaces in Vancouver, including in and around downtown, where drinking is sanctioned. That includes numerous temporary and pop-up patios operated by private businesses, but also City of Vancouver-designated plazas and parks where drinking alcohol is permitted.
Adding to the lively atmosphere in the area is the recently-launched Granville Promenade that finds Granville between Smithe and Helmcken streets closed to vehicle traffic on weekends. It's a new pilot program gets underway to test out what it's like to make the city's "Entertainment District" a pedestrian-only zone during peak hours. The blocks are closed to vehicles from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and activations include public art and live entertainment, however, open alcohol is not permitted outside of licensed patio space.
Open alcohol allowed at select Vancouver parks and plazas
This spring, the City of Vancouver approved a pilot program to allow alcohol consumption in a handful of plazas, ultimately doubling the original roster for a final total of six. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, drinking alcohol is permitted at the following plaza locations:
- Cambie St and 17th Ave
- 800 Robson St
- Fraser St and 27th Ave
- Granville St and 13th Ave
- Granville St and 14th Ave
- Maple St and 4th Ave
The plazas will remain in operation until Oct. 11, 2021.
From July 12 to Oct. 11 this year, drinking alcohol will be permitted between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., within designated sites at the following 22 Vancouver parks:
- Collingwood Park
- David Lam Park
- Fraser River Park
- Granville Park
- Harbour Green Park
- John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
- Kitsilano Beach Park / Hadden Park
- Langara Park
- Locarno Beach Park
- Maple Grove Park
- Memorial South Park
- Memorial West Park
- New Brighton Park
- Pandora Park
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Quilchena Park
- Riverfront Park
- Robson Park
- Rupert Park
- Stanley Park
- Vanier Park
- Volunteer Park
Vancouver joins a growing list of regional municipalities with ongoing programs allowing adults to consume alcohol in designated areas of public parks.
We've compiled those locations as a map: Which Metro Vancouver parks and plazas can I drink in this summer?
