Drinks

Alcohol is a key feature at most Stag and Doe parties. Depending on the venue you choose, you may or may not be responsible for the management of alcohol at your event. If your event is at a bar, the venue will manage the liquor permit, party alcohol liability insurance, ordering, pick up, and serving of alcohol. If your event is at a location like a community center or hall, you may be responsible for any or all of these things.

Liquor Permits

In Ontario, regulations regarding the alcohol at your event are managed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Your event will require a permit, and the AGCO website has a Special Occasion Permit Guide, and FAQs that can authoritatively answer many of your questions about the regulations. Permit fees are available on their website as well.

It is important to understand and follow all liquor and permit regulations. AGCO compliance officials may visit any Special Occasion Permit (SOP) event to check up and make sure you are selling and/or serving alcohol responsibly. If you are not in compliance, they can revoke your permit (meaning you can't serve alcohol for the remainder of the event), fine you, and opt to refuse to issue further SOPs to you.

Liquor Liability Insurance

The law in Ontario (and Alberta!) states that whoever controls a property as an owner or renter is responsible for the safety of guests, so it's important to purchase this insurance for your event. You may be required to carry this insurance as part of your hall rental agreement. Your hall may have an insurance company that they work with for preferential rates. You can also search for Party Alcohol Liability insurance online, or speak to your insurance broker.

Profit

In Ontario, the Private Event Special Occasion Permit (SOP) does not allow profit from the sale of alcohol.

Buying Alcohol

In Ontario, you can only buy alcohol for your permitted event at the LCBO, the Beer Store, or from Authorized Manufacturer's retail stores (wineries, breweries, etc). You can't buy it from grocery stores. You can serve homemade beer and wine at your event, but you may not sell it, and it must be provided for free, by a member of the family hosting the event. When you are buying your alcohol, bring your SOP number and tell the retailer that it is for an SOP event. Keep your receipts with you at your event, in case a compliance officer stops in. You'll also need your receipt and SOP when you are returning unopened bottles after your event.

Stag and Does typically stock a few brands of beer, and a limited selection of hard alcohols, such as dark rum, white rum, vodka and rye.

Staff at your local liquor store may able to advise you on common brands and typical quantities of alcohol for your event. After your event, you will be able to return any unopened bottles, so don't worry too much about over-purchasing.

Serving

Do not sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age, and check the ID of anyone you are not sure of. Follow all regulations on maximum drink size and how to identify and deal with intoxicated guests. You may not require guests to buy a minimum number of drinks or drink tickets.

You must make non-alcoholic drinks available to your guests. It's good courtesy to have free soda and other non-alcoholic drinks to encourage responsible consumption and as a “thank you” to the designated drivers who make your event possible.

The AGCO's tip sheets are great resources for finding out your responsibilities. While it may not be required to have a licensed bartender (know the laws where you live!), they are great to hire to ensure you have a fun and safe event. You can find out more about the Smart Serve Ontario program online.

Mix

In addition to supplying hard alcohol, you will need to supply non-alcoholic mix, such as pop, fruit juice, and/or clamato juice. It is a common practice to supply unlimited free mix to guests.

Some venues will supply a fountain drink machine with the cost of the hall, or may offer to rent it to you for an additional fee. You also have the option to rent a machine from a party supply rental store, or to purchase a large quantity of two litre bottles of pop.

Set up your mix on a separate table from the bar and let guests pour it themselves. It's much more efficient than having bartenders handle it, and makes the bar line process much faster. This way the bartenders need only take tickets and pour shots or beers into cups.

Closing up

Make sure that you are not selling alcohol past the closing time on your permit. Once the event is over, immediately begin to clean up cups, glasses, alcohol, and remove all unconsumed alcohol from the premises.

Get guests home safe

Encourage your guests to use designated drivers, and have information available about taxi and rideshare services for your area posted on all exit doors. As the organizer, you are responsible for the effects of the alcohol you provide. Find one or two of your helpers to volunteer to be designated drivers in case they are needed. Make sure your guests get home safe.

If your event is out of town or hard to access by public transit, consider renting a bus to do pick up and drop off at nearby communities.

Operation Red Nose

Check if your Stag and Doe will be within the operating areas and dates of Operation Red Nose. It's a free service run by volunteers during the Christmas season. Volunteers will arrive and drive inebriated guests home in their own vehicles.