Important Notice
February 4, 2026 - City Council authorize the extension of the hours of alcohol sales and service in the City of Toronto to begin at 6:00 a.m. between February 5 and February 22, 2026, to allow the public and local cafes and restaurants to enjoy and benefit from the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Alcohol Sales and Service Hours in Ontario
Alcohol sales and service in Ontario are regulated under the Liquor Control Act and its regulations. These rules help ensure alcohol is sold and served responsibly, safely, and within clearly defined hours.
Serving Alcohol at Licensed Establishments
Under the regulations, Licensed establishments and events operating under a Special Occasion Permit may sell and serve alcohol during the following hours:
Once alcohol service has ended, all evidence of alcohol must be removed within 45 minutes. This includes clearing all glasses, bottles, and containers from tables. On New Year’s Eve, clearing must be completed by 3:45 a.m.
Retail Liquor Sales (Stores and Grocery Retailers)
Retailers authorized to sell liquor in Ontario - including licensed grocery stores and online order pickups - may sell alcohol during these hours:
Permissible Hours of Delivery
Note: Some grocery stores may be open outside these hours (for example, 24‑hour grocery stores). However, liquor sales are only permitted during the approved sale hours. Certain licences may also include additional conditions that further limit when alcohol may be sold.
Liquor Sales on Holidays
Retail stores that sell liquor may be permitted to open on holidays depending on applicable legislation, including The Retail Business Holidays Act (RBHA) and Municipal retail holiday by‑laws.
Note:
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO):
Reporting a Concern
If you believe alcohol is being sold or served outside permitted hours, you may:
Under Section 62.1 (1) of the Liquor Licence Act, the City of Toronto has the ability to extend the hours of the sale of alcohol by the holders of a licence during events of municipal, provincial, national or international significance. Under Section 62.1 (3), such an extension does not prevail over any conditions that may be imposed as a condition of a licence.
While it is not unusual for Council to authorize such extensions, they are usually limited to specific locations. In cases where extensions are done province-wide by the Registrar of the AGCO, they assume responsibility for inspection and enforcement. Should Toronto City Council choose to approve a particular extension, responsibility for inspection and enforcement would fall to the City. Members of council - finding who your councillor is - contacting your councillor or council
Smart Serve Responsible Alcohol Beverage Service Training Program
This program is approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario as a server training program for the Ontario hospitality industry. For more information on the program, visit the Smart Serve website.