“Tied House” Liquor Licence
A person may make an application to the AGCO for a “tied house” liquor sales licence for the manufacturing site of a winery, distillery or brewery in Ontario.
A tied house liquor licence permits a restaurant/establishment that shares a municipal or property address with the manufacturing site, where a manufacturer’s products may be showcased on their own or in conjunction with other brands and types of liquor. Under a tied house licence, the licensed establishment is exempt from the requirement of having to sell a variety of brands.
The holder of a tied house liquor sales licence may also apply for a catering endorsement to sell and serve the manufacturer’s products at any eligible location (i.e. including offsite the manufacturer’s location).
If a manufacturer has a retail store on the manufacturing site and there is a Tied House that shares a municipal or property address with the manufacturing site, the licensee may bring sealed, unopened liquor purchased from the retail store onto the licensed premises for the purposes of selling it to a patron. This allows restaurant patrons that wish to purchase product for personal use from the retail store to pay for the product on their restaurant bill.
Licensees are able to select a two or four-year term duration when applying for and renewing authorizations, with fees payable to match the length of the term. For a description of the fee structure, please visit the Alcohol Licensing Fees page.
Applications, Transfers and Renewals
For more information on “Tied Houses” please visit the Liquor Sales Licence Owner/Operators portal.
“By the Glass” Manufacturer´s Limited Liquor Sales Licence
Wineries, breweries and distilleries that hold a manufacturer’s licence under the Liquor Licence Act may make an application to the AGCO for a Manufacturer´s Limited Liquor Sales Licence (commonly known as “By the Glass”) to sell and serve their products for consumption on their manufacturing site(s) where the sale is primarily aimed at promoting the manufacturer´s product and either providing an enhanced tourist experience or fulfilling an educational purpose.
Under a “By the Glass” licence, guests are allowed to carry and consume wine, beer and spirits on the manufacturing site in areas that are under the sole control of the manufacturer and approved under the licence. Note that wine and beer are not be permitted in such areas as public roads, thoroughfares, driveways and parking lots, or in other areas that may raise public safety concerns.
A wine, beer or spirits manufacturing site may have both a tied house and a “By the Glass” licence. Patrons are permitted to move freely between the licensed areas with their beverages, however, licensees must ensure adherence to rules regarding the permissible hours of sale for each licence type. These hours may not be extended and no liquor sales licence endorsements are available for this type of sales licence.
Temporary Extensions
Important Update: Pursuant to section 153 of Regulation 746 made under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, filed on November 9, 2021, the Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, has approved a temporary physical extension of the premises, for the period beginning no earlier than November 29, 2021, until 3:00 a.m. on January 1, 2023, for those liquor sales licensees including premises that are boats and manufacturers with a by-the-glass endorsement that meet the following criteria, as applicable:
- The physical extension of the premises is adjacent to: (a) the premises to which the licence to sell liquor applies; or (b)a dock to which the boat is attached and may include land adjacent to the dock; or (c) the licensed premises under the by-the-glass endorsement to a Manufacturer’s Licence.
- The municipality in which the premises is situated has indicated it does not object to an extension;
- The licensee is able to demonstrate sufficient control over the physical extension of the premises;
- There is no condition on the licence or endorsement prohibiting a patio;
- The capacity of any new patio, or extended patio space where the licensee has an existing licensed patio, allows for at least 1.11 square metres per person; and
- In the case of a by-the-glass endorsement to a Manufacturer’s Licence, the sale and service of the wine, beer and/or spirits manufactured by the manufacturer within the physical extension of the premises is primarily aimed at promoting the manufacturer’s product and either providing an enhanced tourist experience or fulfilling an educational purpose.
The licensee is not required to submit documents to the AGCO to demonstrate compliance with the above criteria, however, licensees are required to produce such documents should the AGCO request them.
Licensees that do not meet the above criteria are required to follow the usual application process for a temporary extension of premises and apply through iAGCO.
If you do not meet the above criteria and still wish to apply for a temporary extension, please see below for more information on how to apply.
Similar to other liquor sales licensees, manufacturers who hold a “By the Glass” licence from the AGCO are also able to apply for a temporary extension of their licensed premises (for a special event or occasion).
The Registrar may approve a temporary physical extension of the licensed premises under the “By the Blass” licence, if the extension is adjacent to the areas under the “By the Glass” licence.
The application, including all supporting documentation, must be submitted by “By the Glass” licensees online through the iAGCO portal and received 30 days in advance of the temporary extension/event. Event Organizers cannot submit applications on behalf of licensees. No licensing fee is required.