At a council meeting on November 24, City of North Vancouver council voted to move ahead with a public engagement process for a proposed sidewalk patio expansion at Beere Brewing Company on East Esplanade. The brewery has applied to permanently increase its sidewalk patio capacity from 9 to 21 seats.
According to the report, Beere Brewing applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for the permanent change after operating at the larger size under a provincial program that ended on December 31, 2024.
Staff recommended supporting the application on the condition that the larger sidewalk patio would not alter the primary purpose of the business, that any noise impacts on the surrounding community would be minimal, and that the increased patio capacity would remain consistent with the long-term vision for the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood. Staff also advised the council to allow the LCRB, and not the city, to conduct the required public consultation.
The brewery, located at 100–312 East Esplanade, operates under a provincial Liquor Manufacturer licence and has been open since 2017 in Lower Lonsdale’s Brewery District. Along with its indoor lounge, the business operates two patios: a curbside patio with 18 seats and the sidewalk patio. The sidewalk patio sits on the southwest side of the property and was previously authorized to accommodate 21 people for two years under temporary provincial measures.
In the report, the City noted that Beere Brewing introduced its original nine-seat patio through the Outdoor Dining Program and later received a Lounge Endorsement from the LCRB, allowing the space to operate as a licensed service area. Staff stated that no complaints were received during the period when the patio operated at its expanded capacity.
Staff assessed potential noise impacts and concluded that the increase would not significantly affect the community. The report notes that both the City and the LCRB have regulatory mechanisms to address any issues that could arise, including business licence conditions and provincial enforcement.
Council was presented with two options: opt out of conducting the community input process and allow the LCRB to manage consultation, or opt in and have City staff collect feedback from nearby businesses, residents, and property owners. Staff recommended opting out, citing minimal expected noise impacts, alignment with neighbourhood goals, and consistency with other local establishments.
The LCRB will now coordinate signage and collect feedback before issuing a decision, which will then be shared with the City for record-keeping.
