Festival goers will be able to enjoy a cool one at this year’s Uptown Live.
Donnelly and Associates, which has been contracted by the Uptown Business Association to oversee liquor service at the event, has applied to the Liquor Distribution Branch for a special occasion license to operate three enclosed beverage gardens at Uptown Live. New Westminster city council has approved the beer gardens, provided the Uptown Business Association and Donnelly and Associates meet requirements set out by the police and fire departments.
“The proposed total capacity of all three areas is 578,” said a staff report to council. “The proposed hours of operation are from 12 noon to 7 p.m.”
According to Donnelly and Associates, the three bars will be restricted to serving beer, wine and coolers, and all alcoholic beverages will be consumed in the enclosed licensed areas.
Uptown Live, being held on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the vicinity of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street, will include live music on several stages, food trucks and more. Two entertainment stages will be located on Sixth Street, one near Seventh Avenue and another near Belmont Street, and another stage will be on Sixth Avenue near Seventh Street.
Coun. Betty McIntosh expressed concerns about having three designated areas for liquor sales that could be serving close to 600 people. With a pub and a Legion in close proximity to the proposed beer gardens, she felt it would be more appropriate to limit the event to two beer gardens.
“To have three seemed to be a little bit more adult focused than I thought this event would be,” she said.
New Westminster Chief Const. Dave Jones said police consider whether alcohol is being served to complement an event or whether the event is alcohol driven. From what police have seen, he said Uptown Live isn’t an alcohol-driven event.
“People are not going to go here to power drink,” said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr.
In other booze news, city council has approved the sale and sampling of liquor at Royal City Farmers Market. The number of liquor vendors will be limited to two, and the city will review the matter if any issues arise from the sale at the market.
A staff report states that Pacific Breeze Winery, Steel & Oak, Four Winds Brewing, the Bridge Crew Brewing and Central City Brewing have expressed an interested in attending the Royal City Farmers Market. New changes to B.C. liquor laws allow licensed manufacturers to sell their products at farmers’ markets.
