Selling alcohol

In Northern Ireland, only certain premises are eligible to apply for a licence to sell alcohol. These are:

• pubs
• off-licences
• hotels
• guest houses
• restaurants
• conference centres certified by Tourism NI
• higher education institutions
• places of public entertainment (cinemas, theatres, ballrooms, race tracks)
• refreshment rooms in public transport premises (railway or bus stations, airports and harbours)
• seamen's canteens
• indoor arenas
• outdoor stadia
• non-seagoing vessels
• local producer's premises

There are certain conditions for each type of business. For example, licensed restaurants may only sell alcoholic drinks alongside, or before or after a meal. Off-licences may not sell alcohol on Christmas day. Businesses that are based at a road service area, garage or petrol station can't apply to sell alcohol.

Occasional licence

You may be able to apply for an occasional licence to sell alcohol away from your premises at special events. For example, a local pub or restaurant may apply to sell alcohol at a food festival. If granted, the occasional licence may be valid for up to six consecutive days.

There are certain restrictions on when alcohol can be legally sold in Northern Ireland. The rules relate to the times of the day and Christmas Day.

Alcohol licensing hours

For most licensed premises alcohol may be sold:

• from 11:30am to 11pm (except on Sundays and Christmas Day)
• on Christmas Day from 12:30pm to 10pm
• on Sundays from 12:30pm to 11pm

Off-licences may sell alcohol:

• from 8am to 11pm (except on Sundays and Christmas Day)
• on Sundays from 10am to 10pm

Off-licences are not permitted to open at all on Christmas Day.

Extended hours

Certain licensed premises providing late night entertainment or refreshment can apply for extended hours in several ways. These include applying for an order for additional or further additional permitted hours. Other premises can apply for an extension licence. This allows you to sell alcohol after the usual licensed hours.

These extended hours allow alcohol to be sold from 11pm to 1am, or 2am with additional permitted hours.

Exceptions

If your business provides accommodation, alcohol licensing hours do not apply when selling alcohol to overnight guests. For example, a licensed hotel, guesthouse or inn may sell alcohol to a resident at any time.

In Northern Ireland, premises licensed to sell alcohol must follow set trading rules that specify the permitted hours for sales.

Licensed premises such as bars, hotels and restaurants may normally sell alcohol from 11:30am to 11pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday), or from 12:30pm to 11pm on Sundays. Some licensed premises hold a 'late licence' that allows them to extend sales to 1am, or to 2am with additional permitted hours.

The permitted hours for sales are different for Christmas Day.

Christmas 2025 licensing hours 

 The permitted hours that licensed premises can sell alcohol during the Christmas period are:

Christmas Eve (24 December 2026) alcohol sales

• Licensed premises: 11:30am to 11pm (late extensions to midnight permitted, no sales after midnight)
• Drinking up time: plus 1 hour
• Off-licences (pub liquor licence): 11:30am to 11pm
• Off-licences (shops): 8am to 11pm

Christmas Day (25 December 2026) alcohol sales

• Licensed premises: 12:30pm to 10pm (no late extensions allowed)
• Drinking up time: plus 1 hour
• Off-licences (pub liquor licence): closed
• Off-licences (shops): closed

New Year's Eve (31 December 2026) alcohol sales

• Licensed premises: normal trading day from 11:30am, late extensions apply
• Drinking up time: plus 1 hour

The permitted hours for sales of alcohol in Northern Ireland are set out by the Licensing (NI) Order 1996, as amended by the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (NI) 2021.

Over Easter, the times you can sell alcohol on licensed premises in Northern Ireland are the same as the rest of the year. 

Licensed premises include businesses such as bars, restaurants, hotels and theatres that hold a licence to sell alcohol or 'liquor licence'. Alcohol may normally be sold from 11:30am to 11pm, or on Sundays from 12:30pm to 11pm. 

Some licensed premises have a 'late licence' that normally allows them to sell alcohol as late as 1am or with further additional permitted hours until 2am, instead of the usual limit of 11pm. 

See when can you sell alcohol in Northern Ireland?

Easter licensing hours 

The permitted hours that licensed premises can sell alcohol during the Easter period are the same as any other time of the year. This means that licensed premises may sell alcohol at the following times:

Holy Thursday licensing hours

As usual. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30am - 11pm, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am, or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol 8am - 11pm.

Good Friday licensing hours

As usual. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30am - 11pm, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am, or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol 8am - 11pm.

Easter Saturday licensing hours

As usual. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30am - 11pm, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am, or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol 8am - 11pm.

Easter Sunday licensing hours

Usual Sunday licensing hours. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 12:30pm - 11pm, those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am, or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol 10am – 10pm. 

Easter Monday and Tuesday licensing hours

As usual. Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30am - 11pm, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am, or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol 8am - 11pm.
 

There are several rules around selling alcohol in Northern Ireland. Your premises must be licensed. See how to apply for a licence to sell alcohol.

Time of day - permitted hours

There are certain hours during which licensed premises may sell alcohol. Certain premises can apply for an extended licence. The permitted hours are slightly different at Christmas. See when you can sell alcohol in Northern Ireland.

General rules for selling alcohol

Rules for selling alcohol include:

• Area - if only part of your premises is licensed, then you may only sell alcohol in this area. Children may only be in parts of your premises that either do not have a bar, or if certain safeguards are in place which are detailed below.
• Conditions of sale - there are conditions for particular types of premises when selling alcohol. For example, restaurants may only sell alcohol as part of a meal. Many premises must ensure they have other drinks and food available when they are selling alcohol. Off-licences must not allow customers to consume alcohol they have bought at the premises on-site.
• Drunk and disorderly behaviour - you must not sell alcohol to anyone who is clearly drunk or allow customers to behave in a disorderly way in your premises.
• Drinks promotions ­- it is illegal to run an irresponsible drinks promotion. This includes promotions that supply unlimited alcoholic drinks for a fixed price.
• Loyalty schemes - you cannot operate a membership scheme which provides rewards to members when purchasing alcohol, and allows members to redeem the rewards to reduce the price of alcoholic drinks or receive it free of charge.
• Weights and measures - drinks including wine, beer and spirits may only be sold in specific quantities. See weights and measures rules for licensed premises.

Children in licensed premises

Licensed premises no longer need a physical children's certificate, however all safeguards remain in place before young people under 18 years of age are allowed in areas of premises which contain a bar or are used mainly or exclusively for the consumption of alcohol. The safeguards include:

• meals must be available
• a young person must be accompanied by an adult and sit away from the bar
• a young person must leave the premises by 9pm (or 9:30pm if consuming a meal purchased before 9pm)

Exceptions to this are that young people are allowed to be in:

• An off-licence if they are with an adult
• A licensed refreshment room at a railway or bus station, airport or harbour terminal
• A bar area in a sporting club until 11pm between 1 May and 30 September and for three prize-giving ceremonies in a calendar year
• Any part of an indoor arena or outdoor stadium containing a kiosk or other sales point which sells alcoholic drinks as well as food and non-alcoholic drinks
• Premises authorised for under 18s functions and also private functions when specific conditions have been met. The conditions have been outlined in the Department for Communities' guide to the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (NI) 2021 in sections 14 and 15 for licensed premises and sections 36 and 37 for registered clubs

Young people and alcohol sales

It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. It is also against the law to sell alcohol to someone who you believe will supply it to someone under 18. You must not let anyone under 18 consume alcohol in your licensed premises.

You must verify the age of anyone who might be under 18. It is recommended that you ask any customer who looks under 25 for ID to prove they are over 18. Acceptable ID includes cards bearing the PASS symbol, passports and driving licences. See alcohol sales and young people and prevent underage sales for more on complying with the rules. 

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association offers retailers advice and resources to check proof of age when selling alcohol.

Businesses that wish to sell alcohol in Northern Ireland must apply for a liquor licence from the county court.

Who can apply for a liquor licence?

Certain types of premises, such as pubs, restaurants and hotels, can apply for a licence to sell alcohol. Only the business owner can apply for the licence.

Local producers of beer, cider and spirits can now apply for a licence to sell their products from their premises on an off-sales and an on-sales basis. Cinemas have also been added to the places of public entertainment category of premises which can apply for a licence.

You must prove you are fit to hold the licence. You will need to disclose any relevant criminal convictions. The court will consider your reputation, financial standing and ability to run the business. It will also take into account your staff's experience and qualifications.

You must also show that your premises are a suitable place to sell alcohol. You must send a plan of the premises along with your application.

How to apply for a liquor licence

You can apply for a licence at your county court.

Before you apply, you must:

• publish a notice in at least two local newspapers of your intention to apply for a licence, at least two weeks (but not more than six) before the opening of the court sitting
• notify the local police station and the local council of your intention to apply for a licence, at least three weeks before the opening of the court sitting
• display a notice on or near your premises stating your intention to apply during three weeks before the opening of the court sitting

If your business is a hotel, guest house or conference centre, you will need to be certified by Tourism NI and obtain a licensing letter before you apply for your liquor licence.

How liquor licences are granted to pubs and off-licences

For applications for pubs and off-licences, the county court will decide to grant your licence based on a number of conditions. The court will only grant a licence if either:

• there is a lack of similar facilities in the local area
• an existing licence has been surrendered or will be surrendered

Renewing your liquor licence

Licences to sell alcohol are granted for up to five years. You must apply to the magistrates' court to renew your licence before the deadline every five years. The current licensing period will end on 30 September 2027. Any alterations to your premises will affect your renewal application.

Occasional licence

If you hold a pub, hotel or restaurant licence, you can also apply for an occasional licence to sell alcohol at functions away from your premises. For example, a local pub or restaurant may apply to sell alcohol at a food festival. If granted, the occasional licence may be valid for up to six consecutive days.

Selling alcohol without a licence

Selling alcohol without a licence is illegal. You could be fined up to £5,000 or face up to six months in prison, or both, if found guilty.

In Northern Ireland, private members clubs who wish to supply alcohol to members and guests on their premises must register with the county court. You must also register if you allow members to bring their own alcohol onto your premises.

Clubs that are eligible to register

Only private members clubs, such as certain sports clubs and social clubs, can register to supply alcohol.

Proprietary clubs are those that are owned by a proprietor and essentially operate as a business. They cannot register and must obtain a licence if they want to supply alcohol. See how to apply for a licence to sell alcohol.

You can only register your club if:

• affairs are carried out by an elected committee of a secretary, treasurer and at least five ordinary members
• you hold yearly elections to decide committee members
• you display the names and addresses of anyone who wishes to be elected as a member at least one week before the election
• all members of the club have a vote in the election process
• the committee holds meetings on the running of the club
• you don't allow people to become honorary members unless they have specific qualifications
• members pay an annual fee
• you keep an alphabetical list of the names and addresses of every member of the club

How to register as a club

In order to register to supply alcohol you must apply to the county court for a certificate and pay an application fee. Find information on court fees in Northern Ireland.

You must follow the procedure in order to apply. The secretary of the club must:

• give a year's notice to the court, local police and council of your intention to apply
• advertise the application in at least two newspapers in the area between four and eight weeks before you make the application
• display a notice outside your premises at this time

There will be a hearing in the county court to decide the outcome of your application. The court may ask for further information or documents to help make their decision. They will also consider the information given by other parties.

Your application will only be accepted if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you have followed the registration process
• your club meets the qualifying criteria
• the premises are considered suitable and proper - regarding the objects of the club and the maximum number of members
• the club's rules are satisfactory, and complied with
• the club is conducted in good faith for at least one year
• none of the officials have unspent convictions

If you are applying for a nightworkers club, you must be able to show that the members of the club require these opening hours, and that guests are not allowed to enter between the hours of 12am and 10am each day.

When you are registered

If your application is successful, you will be issued with a certificate of registration. The certificate specifies the name of the club, address of the premises, the name and address of the owner. For nightworkers clubs, it will include the hours fixed by the court. These details will also be entered on the register of clubs.

Your certificate lasts for five years or until the end of the current registration period - whichever is sooner. The current five-year registration period ends on 31 March 2028.

Renewing your club's registration follows a process similar to the initial registration but with some differences. Unlike the initial registration, the renewal application is submitted directly to the magistrate's court without needing to notify the court a year in advance. You must submit to the court your renewal application at least four weeks before the registration renewal date, which is 1 March of the year your current registration expires.

As a registered club, you must comply with all ongoing obligations that relate to:

• opening hours
• conduct of registered clubs - such as supply of alcohol, conduct of members
• inspections and rights of entry by police