Drawing of a yellow cup and can against a blue background.

Alcohol in parks and beaches

Alcohol permitted at select beaches June 1 to September 30

Adults over the age of 19 can bring and consume alcohol at select beaches between 11am and 9pm daily. Review the full list of beaches where you can drink

Drinking alcohol is not permitted at English Bay, Sunset Beach, and Third Beach (Stanley Park).

To keep these spaces safe, glass beverage bottles and containers at parks and beaches are not allowed.

Where alcohol is not allowed

  • Select beaches:
    • English Bay
    • Sunset Beach
    • Third Beach
    • Crab Park
    • All beaches along the Fraser River
  • Playgrounds
  • Outdoor pools, wading pools, and splash parks
  • Sports fields, sports courts, and purpose-built amenities such as skate parks
  • Community centres, washrooms, fieldhouses, and other facilities
  • Ecologically sensitive natural areas
  • Parking lots
  • Off-leash dog parks
  • Community gardens and horticulture displays

Where drinking is allowed

Responsible drinking

  • Act responsibly when drinking alcohol. Exercise caution when drinking alcohol and avoid entering the water when intoxicated. Alcohol is not allowed in the water.
  • No glass beverage bottles and containers (alcoholic or not), and instead bring cans or reusable plastic or paper-based containers. According to the Parks Control By-law (7.3 MB), glass beverage bottles and containers are not allowed in parks and beaches because of the risk of potential injury.
  • Respect the park and other park users and help keep the spaces clean by properly disposing of trash or taking it away with you, sharing the space, and keeping noise and disturbances to a minimum.

Together with the Vancouver Police Department, Park Board staff are monitoring the sites to make sure that they are safe, managed, and maintained.

About the alcohol in parks program