Licensee FAQ

The three legal entities eligible to apply for a liquor license are sole proprietorship (individual), partnership, or incorporation. All individuals, officers, or directors must be of the full age of 19 years.

Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation is now accepting online applications through its Liquor Licensing and Compliance Electronic System (LACES).

Applications may also be obtained from NLC’s office at 85 O’Leary Avenue, St. John’s, or you may contact us at (709) 724-1159 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Applications and licenses are subject to the License Fee Schedule which can be viewed below. Please note that application and license fees are not refundable.

Depending on the class of license, there are various approvals/documentation that must be submitted to complete the application process:

1. Personal Data Sheet
   1. If incorporated, each director/shareholder must submit a Certificate of Conduct and Personal Data Sheet.
   2. If a partnership, each partner must submit a Certificate of Conduct and Personal Data Sheet.
   3. If a sole proprietorship, the individual must submit a Certificate of Conduct and Personal Data Sheet.
2. 2. Written Municipal approval (approval is only valid for 6 months);
3. Written approval from the Provincial Fire Commissioner’s Office;
4. One set of original plans, drawn to scale, outlining the proposed licensed area and including dimensions of clearly identified rooms (including storage and the total number of fixtures in the men’s and ladies’ washrooms);
5. A current signed copy of a lease or purchase agreement, or another document that verifies ownership and/or control of the establishment (e.g., Property Tax Bill);
6. Verification of advertising;
7. Written approval from Buildings Accessibility and Fire and Life Safety;
8. If incorporated, a current certified or current stamped copy of Corporations Act, Form 6, Notice of Directors;
9. Approval from Transport Canada;
10. 10. Approval from the Canada Revenue Agency;
11. Approval from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation;
12. Verification of Food Establishment License;
13. Approval from Commanding Officer (CFS Base/Station);
14. Approval from Fire Department (CFS Base/Station); and
15. Letter from Brewery.

Listed below are the licensing requirements necessary for each different type of license:

The advertising requirement that must be fulfilled when the application is being made for an establishment consists of both newspaper advertisements and public notices:

• Newspaper advertisements (measuring at least 2” x 3”) must appear in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. Copies of the ads, along with the name of the newspaper and insertion dates, must be submitted with the application.
• Public notices (measuring 8.5” x 11”) must be posted in three conspicuous places within the specified Municipality or Electoral District (e.g., public bulletin boards, retail outlets, restaurants), in proximity to the proposed site, for three consecutive weeks. After the expiration of the three weeks, officials of the premises on which the notices were posted must sign the back of the notices as verification of posting.  All such notices are to accompany the application.

The required wording for Newspaper Advertisements and Public Notices:

"Public Notice"

"Three weeks from (date of initial publication) application will be made to the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation for a (type of license) to sell spirits, beers, and wines at (give street address or exact location) in the Community of (give name of the community) in the Provincial District of (state provincial district).

(name of applicant)

If you have any concerns regarding this application please forward an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."

Applicants must ensure that the exact type of license is denoted in the advertising (for example, “Lounge License”).

Unless otherwise stated, advertisements to apply for an establishment license are valid for six months from the date of the last publication. If the six month period lapses, the applicant is required to re-advertise.

When you submit your completed application, fee and additional required information, the application will be reviewed. Applications will be considered only after the fee and all approvals/documentation are received. When the premises is completed and an occupancy card is obtained from the Provincial Fire Commissioner’s Office (if applicable), a Liquor Control Inspector from the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation will conduct an inspection of the premises to ensure that all of the requirements have been met and answer any questions you may have regarding the Liquor Control Act or Liquor Licensing Regulations. Once a satisfactory inspection is conducted a license will be issued. Licensees must ensure that their license is posted in a prominent place on the premises.

All spirits and wine must be purchased from the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation or one of its designated Liquor Express Stores and all beer must be purchased from the Corporation, a Liquor Express Store or a brewer’s distributor. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased under the licensee’s license number and all invoices and receipts for such purchases must be kept by the licensee.

For establishment licensees alcohol may only be sold and consumed during the prescribed hours. The hours of sale are from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. (or 3:00 a.m. on the days immediately succeeding Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) with consumption permitted until 2:30 a.m. (or 3:30 a.m. on the days immediately succeeding Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

A Catering License allows the sale of beverages for consumption off a licensee’s licensed premises with food which is supplied by the licensee in the form of meals by way of an off premises catering service. A Catering License will only be issued to an applicant that already holds a liquor establishment license. Click here for more information.

Applications must be submitted to NLC to obtain permission:

• For minors to be on the licensed premises; 
• To extend the existing premises for a special occasion;
• To renovate or alter the premises; or
• For a Secondary License (Catering or Patio)

You can obtain applications for minors, extension to premises, alter/renovate, and Secondary Licenses HERE on our website, from NLC’s office at 85 O’Leary Avenue, St. John’s, or you may contact us at (709) 724-1159 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yes, to transfer an existing establishment license an application must be made to the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation. The documentation required is the same as above for new licenses. However, you must also have a letter from the current licensee agreeing to transfer the license. If it is the intention to operate the business while your application is being processed, a letter from the current licensee allowing use of license is required. Unless otherwise directed by the NLC, you do not need newspaper advertisements or public notice postings. Click HERE for more information.

Any charitable or nonprofit organization that is raising funds for charitable purposes and does not hold an establishment license is eligible to apply for a special event license.

You can obtain an application from the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation, 85 O’Leary Ave., St. John’s or you can download the application form HERE. Applications and required fees must be submitted to Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation, Regulatory Services, P.O. Box 8750, Station A, 90 Kenmount Road, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V1. To ensure that your application is processed, it should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the date of the proposed event along with the fee.

A special event license authorizes the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at one location only for a specified time. One event can include two venues operating at different times. All alcoholic beverages sold must be consumed the day(s) and during the hours prescribed in that license. All liquor for resale must be purchased from the Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation or one of its designated Liquor Express Stores and all beer must be purchased from the Corporation or a licensed Brewer’s Distributor. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased under the licensee’s license number and any invoices or receipts for such purchases must be kept by the licensee.

A special event license may be obtained for indoor events, outdoor events, or events that combine usage of indoor and outdoor facilities provided all requirements are met.

Indoor Event: For indoor events, submit the completed form and required fee. Please specify the area(s) of the building(s) to be used for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and include a Capacity Card for the location. In a stadium, the area commonly referred to as the “Ice Surface Area” may be used for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, but sale and consumption shall not take place in the seating area of the stadium unless specifically authorized.

Please note that the proposed location must not hold a permanent liquor license.

Outdoor event: To obtain a Special Event License for an outdoor event, the application must be accompanied by a copy of a site plan clearly showing the exit and entrance, the service bar and the location of any buildings or tents to be used in relation to the proposed licensed area. The location of washroom facilities must also be shown. The event area must be adequately enclosed by double fencing which is no less than four feet in height, includes a 7 foot buffer zone, and is secured in such a manner as to ensure that it remains upright and secure during the hours of operation. There must be a distinctive entrance and exit from the enclosure that is supervised at all times. Sufficient lighting must be installed for evening functions.

Combined Event: An event may take place in a combined indoor/outdoor facility or it may begin at an outdoor location and be moved to an indoor facility. For an event combining the use of indoor and outdoor facilities, the requirements for both must be fulfilled. This means that the applicant must specify the area(s) of the building(s) to be used and submit capacity cards as well as a copy of an outdoor site plan.

Note: For all special events, the licensee is responsible for ensuring that the only alcoholic beverages brought onto the licensed area are those which are purchased under his/her license. The licensee is also responsible for ensuring that no alcoholic beverages are removed from the premises by customers.

The following is a list of prices for Special Events licenses:

• For Registered Charities, an application fee of $100 is required per event (one or more consecutive days).
• For Non-Profit Organizations, the application fee is $200 per event (one or more consecutive days).

To ensure the prompt and timely issuance of your Special Event License, submit the applicable fee along with your completed application and event site plan (for outdoor or combined events), to Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation at least two weeks before the scheduled event.

Only Registered Charities may be permitted to conduct beverage alcohol auctions.  To obtain permission, the following criteria shall be included in the request:

• Registered Charity name and number (CRA)
• A guarantee that 100% of the beverage alcohol proceeds will go to the Registered Charity
• A list of all beverage alcohol used in the auction
• The date and time of the auction

Please send requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Please be advised that approved events may be subject to an audit by NLC to ensure compliance.