QHA November 2017

with Michael Sarquis OLGR
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TRADING:
A QUICK GUIDE
As we approach the end of 2017, here’s a snapshot of
all you need to know about liquor and gaming trading
during the festive season.
CHRISTMAS EVE
The sale and supply of alcohol must finish at 12
midnight regardless of whether you have approved
extended trading hours that allow for later trading.
Patrons must finish alcoholic drinks by 12.30am on
Christmas Day. All gaming machine operations must
cease at 12 midnight on Christmas Eve and may not
recommence before 10am on Boxing Day.
CHRISTMAS DAY
You are permitted to sell and supply alcohol between
10am and 12 midnight in conjunction with a meal
in a part of the premises that is ordinarily set aside
for dining, if the meal is also prepared, served and
intended to be eaten on the premises. Patrons can
purchase alcohol for one hour before eating their meal,
while they are eating their meal, and for one hour after
finishing their meal. Electronic machine gaming is not
to be conducted on Christmas Day, as prescribed by
the Gaming Machine Regulation 2002.
Takeaway alcohol can’t be sold on Christmas Day
and adult entertainment venues are prohibited from
providing adult entertainment from 12 midnight on
Christmas Eve and throughout Christmas Day.
On Christmas Day, licensees with accommodation can
provide alcohol to in-house accommodation residents
and their bona fide guests in their rooms or units only.
They may also serve alcohol to patrons eating a meal
in the dining area of the premises between 10am and
12 midnight. This means that alcohol may be served to
patrons for one hour before dining, during the course
of a meal and for one hour after the meal is finished.
BOXING DAY
Usual trading hours and conditions resume for
Boxing Day.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
On New Year’s Eve, you are permitted to sell or supply
alcohol until 2am on New Year’s Day without any need
for approval from the OLGR. This applies regardless of
your regular approved trading hours. This means that
the bar must finish serving at 2am, unless the premises
is currently approved to trade beyond 2am.
Recent updates to applying for a one-off extended
hours permit for New Year’s celebrations between 2am
and 5am are explained in Update to New Year’s Eve
Extended Hour Permits.
For more information about Christmas and New Year
trading, visit www.business.qld.gov.au/liquor-gaming.
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