For Immediate Release
22-017
May 30, 2022

BC Ferries plans to expand the Coastal Cafe menu to include alcoholic beverages

VICTORIA – Following a successful introduction of wine and beer service in the Pacific Buffet between October 2019 and March 2020 with no issues, BC Ferries applied for licences to sell alcoholic beverages with the purchase of a meal in select Coastal Cafes on board its vessels that sail the three major routes connecting Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Recently, the company received approval in principle, subject to inspectors’ review, from the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for these licences.

In the coming months, BC Ferries looks forward to introducing B.C. wine, craft beer, ciders and other alcoholic beverages to the menu in Coastal Cafes on vessels sailing the following routes:

• Tsawwassen (Vancouver) – Swartz Bay (Victoria)
• Tsawwassen (Vancouver) – Duke Point (Nanaimo)
• Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) – Departure Bay (Nanaimo)

BC Ferries continually seeks ways to enhance and add value to our customers’ experience and offering alcoholic beverages in select Coastal Cafes is in response to customer feedback. It will be served in limited quantities by staff who have their Serving It Right certification. Under the conditions of our licenses, alcoholic beverages will be limited to two drinks per customer 19 years of age or older, and must be purchased with a meal.

BC Ferries expects to begin introducing the new offerings by the end of summer 2022 and will provide customers with an update when the details are finalized.
  Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267

Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 410-1465
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)

Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency line at (250) 516-7211.