Selling alcohol
When can you sell alcohol in Northern Ireland?
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.
In Northern Ireland, Easter licensing hours are the same as the rest of the year
Extended hours
There are several ways certain licensed premises providing late night entertainment or refreshment can apply for extended hours. 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.