Police are reminding local people of the liquor licensing hours that will apply over the Easter weekend.
Thursday 24th: 11.30 am – 11pm (with half an hour drinking up time).
Premises with an Article 44 licence or a ‘late licence’ may remain open to serve alcohol until Midnight only (with half an hour drinking up time) provided an entertainment licence is in force
Good Friday: 5pm – 11pm only (with half an hour drinking up time). Premises can open earlier than 5pm for the sale of goods other than intoxicating liquor, for example. lunches and soft drinks.
No additional hours allowed
Off Licences: 8am – 11pm
Saturday 26th: 11:30am – 11pm (with half an hour drinking up time).
Premises with a ‘late licence’ may remain open to serve alcohol until midnight (with half an hour drinking up time) provided an entertainment licence is in force.
Easter Sunday: 12:30pm – 10pm (with half an hour drinking up time).
No additional hours allowed
Off Licences: No opening hours
Easter Monday and Tuesday: Normal licensing hours.
The hours are similar for Licensed Clubs. Those with an Article 26 Authorisation may remain open to serve alcohol to their members and guests until midnight only (with half an hour drinking up time) provided a function is being held for the benefit of its members. EXCEPTIONS: Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
It is at Easter in Coleraine that I am well made up that I drink in an old fashioned pub whereby you knock on the back or side door to be let in to have a an alcoholic drink. The plus side is that, as the pub is not supposed to be open, you can have a beer and a fag with heating and there is no need to stand outside for a smoke. I can’t abide with the Free Presbyterian licensing hours at Easter. Surely the Free P’s could do a deal with normal folk; if normal people don’t interfere with the Free P’s beating up their wives then the Free P’s leave the licensing hours alone. Simples!!