The Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in North Vancouver has applied to change a portion of its existing food primary licence to a liquor primary licence for its lounge and patio areas. The application, submitted by Rising Tide Consultants on behalf of the hotel, seeks approval from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to reduce food service requirements in the lounge during later hours.
The application will be discussed at the District of North Vancouver council today.
All areas of the hotel, including its restaurant, lounge, and meeting rooms, operate under a primary food licence, which mandates food service alongside alcohol. The proposed change would apply to Medley’s Lounge and its patio, allowing the lounge to serve alcohol without a full meal requirement after the kitchen closes. However, a limited food menu will still be available.
Under the proposal, the lounge and patio hours would be extended from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, while the patio’s closing time would be limited to 11 p.m. to address noise concerns raised by residents. The lounge’s capacity will remain at 37, with an additional 20 patrons on the patio. The application was reviewed by external agencies, including the RCMP, which raised no specific concerns, though they noted a potential increase in calls for service.
A staff report to council notes that the District has not received any bylaw complaints regarding the establishment, and staff will continue to monitor its operations. The Holiday Inn has committed to adhering to the District’s Noise Bylaw and will display signage to remind guests to minimize noise when leaving the lounge. Most patrons are expected to be hotel guests, and the lounge is accessed through the hotel lobby, away from nearby residential areas.
No changes to the building or parking are proposed, and the application does not involve expanding services. The transition to a liquor primary licence is intended to provide hotel guests with a late-night option for drinks and appetizers without significantly altering the current operation.
The LCRB will decide on the application after receiving input from the DNV Council.
I do not approve “would be extended from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, while the patio’s closing time would be limited to 11 p.m.
My grandson and I stayed there a year ago. We arrived at the time allowed to be in our room. The first thing we saw in plain daylight, someone going for a piss in the bush! Imagine that! It was broad daylight! To extend the hours would be a complete nightmare for those that actually paid more than our share for a room there! We also were subjected to all sorts of screaming even after closing hours! Your call, but I wonder what type of clientele you are gearing for. I had to actually put the fan on to dream the noise.