Sunday Liquor Sales Law Passes In The Senate

December 19, 2013

With the bill to amend the Liquor Licence Act passing in both the House of Assembly and the Senate, locals will soon be able to purchase liquor on Sundays.

In last month’s Throne Speech, Government said they would amend the law to allow liquor sales on Sunday.

The Throne Speech said: “The prohibition of alcohol sales by retail outlets on Sundays has been a feature of Bermudian society for a long time. However, times have changed. Locals and tourists alike wish to be able to purchase beer, wines and spirits on a Sunday.

“Accordingly, Government will amend the Liquor Licence Act 1974 to allow for the purchase of wine and spirits on Sundays from retail outlets that are permitted to operate in accordance with the Public Holidays Act 1947.”

The bill seeking to amend the Liquor Licence Act 1974 was passed by MPs on Friday [Dec 13], and then passed by Senators yesterday [Dec 18]. The bill now requires Governor’s assent to become the law, and following that the new law will be in effect.

There has been some confusion over it,  with one store owner telling Bernews he has been getting requests on Sundays for liquor, with some customers thinking it was already allowed. In addition, the police confirmed they are “making inquiries” into a St George’s business who alleged sold alcohol this past Sunday [Dec 15].

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Comments (64)

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  1. more than enough says:

    government and business are loving this..more $ for them

    who cares what everyone else thinks?

  2. SERZ TALK says:

    Sunday Funday YAY!

    • sanityisback says:

      Yeah Sunday Funday with more accidents, more domestic abuse , more fights, more court appearances, etc. But hey it’s Funday. With people like you the liqour merchants will never go broke.

      Real priority for the OBA getting more alcohol out in the community before Christmas.Studies have proven that the more alcohol is available the more it is consumed.

      • u ank sers says:

        get back to church already….ya late bra

        • sanityisback says:

          No I get to church on time because it’s important. But this is not about church it’s about the devastating effects that alcohol has had on our society because of the idiotic attitude displayed by people like yourself. You may laugh now but trust me bro alcohol always has the last laugh.

          Ask the police, emergency at KEMH. Please don’t make a joke about something so serious for your own good.

          • Thomas Mahoney says:

            like people don’t already drink on sundays. you are fullish

          • Speckled Hind says:

            And let’s not get started about the devastating effect the church has had on our society. Ancient superstitious nonsense and a book written in a time when we thought the world was flat, and didn’t know where the sun went at night. We also thought that thunder was god being mad at us.

            When one or two people talk to imaginary friends it is called insanity. When thousands do, its called religion.

  3. Absolutely says:

    Sign it off Mr Gov.

  4. Karma says:

    Bermuda…into the 21st century??????
    Only 13 years late…

  5. sage says:

    OBA stimulus: help a sector which according to all reports has enjoyed increased profitability during this “recession”, we’re saved.

    • Susie Quattro says:

      You think retail has enjoyed increased profitability?

      • Indepedent says:

        @Susie Quatro,

        You are a real F’n OBA Groupie. Get life.

        • Susie Quattro says:

          Again, you think retail has “enjoyed increased profitability”? It’s not a hard question is it?

          • sage says:

            Sorry what was that, didn’t quite catch it, could you repeat the question please?

      • sage says:

        Retail alcohol peddlers have.

        • more than enough says:

          no more witty quips from susie q?

          • Verbal Kint says:

            It wasn’t a quip. She asked a question and three of you took shots at her but didn’t answer it.

            • Indepedent says:

              @ Verbal Kint,

              I didn’t take a shot at her, I said the truth. You are another OBA groupie lol.

        • Suzie Quattro says:

          Didn’t supermarkets close down in the past year?

          Or is that another ‘witty quip’?

  6. Speckled Hind says:

    Can’t believe the Police are still making enquiries into a St G business selling booze om Sundays. If there is someone in Bermuda who didn’t realise dogs needed to be licenced, surely its not that unbelievable that was someone who thought it was OK to sell booze on Sundays.

    To all the people moaning about this: You don’t HAVE to buy booze on Sundays – but leave those of us alone who want to buy booze on Sundays.

    • Indepedent says:

      @Speckled Hind,

      You should be ashamed of yourself making dumb@ss statments like that.In this day and age, if you don’t know that law, that’s your fault. I don’t own a business, and I have known liquor can’t be sold on Sunday since (in stores, not bars) I was a child. IF we were to go by your thinking, we shouldn’t be prosecuting people for laws they are not aware of?

      • Speckled Hind says:

        Independent – you clearly do not undrestand the relatively simple concept of humour.

        Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Claiming to be ignorant of the law is laughable – yet it worked for that dog owner.

  7. Truth is killin' me... says:

    My pitbull enjoys drinking “Elephant” burs and smokin’ crack on a Sunday. He never bit nobody!

  8. somuchless says:

    Anyone wana join me this Sunday to cellarbrate? I loves to drink.

  9. bornb says:

    I don’t see what the big deal is….liquor is sold on Saturdays… isn’t Saturday classified as a religious day too … for 7th Day Adventists. Where has the respect been all these yrs for their worship day. So allow it.. its no big deal.

    • Sara says:

      Thank you!!! I am NOT a SDA BUT the fact is they are Christians too! And nobody gives a crap that stores are all open and alcohol sold on their sabbath. Religion should have nothing to do with law and policy making of alcohol.

      • Indepedent says:

        @ Sara & bornb,

        Being were on the topic, I guess club’s and bar’s shouldn’t be able to sell liquor on Friday after sun down as well? Don’t the 7 day have a rule about Friday as well?

        • Mr Happy says:

          “Clubs” and “bars” do not have apostrophes before the s. Please learn basic English before commenting.

        • Sara says:

          As I said in my post above, religion should not have any bearing on law making. You must have misunderstood my post.

    • Sara says:

      Not to mention you don’t see them trying to change the law!

  10. dreamcatcher says:

    So small local clubs now won’t have this extra revenue to exist on. As a past treasurer of a local community club, the Sunday sales from persons buying the ad hoc six pack (opened) was a nice bit of gravy.

    So……Technically you could buy liquor on Sundays. You’ve just given the dollars and profit back to the greedy business procurers.

    Of all the issues of importance, Sunday liquor sales makes it to the top of the order.

    • Indepedent says:

      @dreamcatcher,

      Good point!!!

      People don’t like when the average person talks about the job creators, because their history tells us all job creators are the nices, most clean cut people in the world lol.

    • O'Brien says:

      Why should bars, restaurants and clubs like yours have the monopoly on selling liquor on Sundays?

      Also, if clubs like yours need to be able to sell ‘ad hoc six packs’ on Sundays — operating as a liquor store in all but name — to survive, don’t you think their problems go a little deeper than this law? And if it’s true they need Sunday sales to survive, why should the rest of us who would rather stay home, or go out on the boat, or go to a friend’s yard on a Sunday have to pay for it by not being able to purchase alcohol in the stores?

  11. Truth is killin' me... says:

    24hr liquor store to open up…watch this space!

  12. Elephant says:

    Thankyou OBA,now I can get my beverage of choice on Sundays.We are finally coming out of the dark ages.Thankyou,Thankyou,thankyou!

    • Indepedent says:

      @Elephant,

      I’m been watching people get the beverage of their choice for years on Sunday, where you been? In the dark area? lol

  13. Elephant says:

    Independent
    It is great,that we finally have a govt,willing to take on tough issues,without worrying about votes.The OBA is for the people and not themselves!

    • Indepedent says:

      @Elephant,

      Right, so selling alcohol helps people in what way? What’s the upside to this beside’s the grocery stores making more money? Don’t tell me, the next explanation is job’s right? lol

      How is this taking on a tough issue? When did liquor sales on a Sunday become a tough issue mate?

      I find it funny how with all the problems as a country we face, this is a tough issue?

  14. Speckled Hind says:

    Went to Black Horse recently on a Sunday at lunch. I had heard it was a happnin place. It was empty and I asked the bar keep why. He said:

    “Church ain’t out yet. Wait 15 minutes”.

    A while later is was completely packed with well dressed people chuckin back beer like crazy. They’d all got a clean slate you see.

    That’s why holy rollers have no place in this discussion – they are just as bad as anyone else. maybe worse!

  15. Elephant says:

    @independent
    The old govt created unemployment,like we have never had before.By allowing stores to sell Alcohol on Sundays,it could create a job for people that are unemployed,if only on Sundays.That is a good thing.If the stores were closed,like in the old days,less opportunity to work.It is very simple,if you think about it.All the best,and have a Merry Christmas,and remember,do not drink and drive!

    • Indepedent says:

      @ Elephant,

      I can’t agree with your statement. I am 34 years old, but I swear down bar’s were selling liquor before the plp came to power.

      However you have a Merry Xmas:) as well.

      To your last point, I personally don’t drink and drive, so you don’t have to worry about me. But you may want to say a prayer for the people who do prefer to drink and drive.

  16. That is All says:

    I think its inconsiderate that the government is taking business away from the islands sports clubs on Sundays. With the exception of few, sports clubs aren’t doing so well financially, the monopoly of selling liquor on Sunday’s(with the exception of restaurants) was one of their competitive advantages. Sadly the government sees it fit to allow companies who are already financially sound to benefit more by eating the sports clubs food. Sad. RIP Dev rec, Southampton Rangers ect ect…your governments really got your back.

    • Lang says:

      And what about my sorry little a$$ who doesnt want to go to dev rec, rangers, etc? The people that hang out there look me up and down, left right and center like i dont belong there… Then ask me for a cigarette! And suck their teeth and piss walk away like i just said something offensive about their moms

      I want to pay $16 for my 6 pack and hang with my mates, not $30-$48 for the same thing with horrible ambiance and horrible people. When i drink i want to have a fun time and socialize. Not lean against a wall and be looked at by a bunch of guys.

      All these places let people buy “take-out” beer on sundays anyway. At an upsetting inflated price.

      So technically… This law is just making it cheaper, convenient, safer.

  17. Speckled Hind says:

    Nice that Bermuda has seen fit to finally come into this century – be it 13 years late. That’s about normal I think.

    Hey, maybe we’ll get tourist bars on the beach by 2030. Yippee!

  18. Keepin' it Real...4Real! says:

    i notice that the more people that want cannibus legalized the more they push the destructive influence of time and tested alcohol…i guess 6 days aweek isnt enough time to purchase satans juice…i would bet that they were consuming or their mouth was watering as they passed this totally unnecessary law…don’t worry though the streets are watching. oh and by the way all of you that feel we are coming into this century because of this very important amendent goes to show the addictive properties of this evil spirit. lost all confidence in bdas ability to survive.

    • Thomas Mahoney says:

      Its not about getting liquored on sundays. Its about people like you telling us we can’t.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Satan’s juice? Evil spirit?

      What was Christ’s first miracle?

      • sage says:

        “Can’t call I in a bar fe go drink devils soup, can’t bribe me round a corner, cant test I faith” Peter Tosh. Any proof? That story to which you refer, never mentioned christ partaking himself,and in earlier chapters it says “wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, those thereby deceived are not wise” or something like that.

        • Mike Hind says:

          Any proof of what? Jesus? The Devil? That miracle? Nope. None.

          However, isn’t it weird that Jesus would make “Devil’s juice” for people?

          • sage says:

            Not at all. Michael Jackson prefered Jesus juice,bottoms up.

            • Mike Hind says:

              Wow. Really? This is how you engage in a conversation?

              And you wonder why people don’t take you seriously?

              • sage says:

                So why do you reply over and over and over? Because I don’t think like you, I shouldn’t be taken seriously? If we all answered in the same way, that would be extremely boring, embrace diversity man!

                • Mike Hind says:

                  Not even a little bit.

                  It has nothing to do with “Thinking like me” or “diversity” and everything to do with the fact that, when faced with something that opposed something you say, you dismissed it with a ridiculous, bizarre reference to Michael Jackson.

                  If you’re not interested in an actual discussion, you really should just say so.

                  • sage says:

                    Wouldn’t this be a virtual discussion?

                    • Mike Hind says:

                      Nope. It’s not even a discussion.
                      It’s me TRYING to have a discussion and you trolling.

                      Ah, well. Can’t say I didn’t try.

  19. Suzie Quattro says:

    again, in English?

    • sage says:

      That is a more user friendly, efficient form of english unlike the grammatically incorrect garbled “dumb bermujan” you used in one of your earlier posts. Translation: can’t call me into a bar for the purpose of drinking devil’s soup, can’t bribe me around the corner, can’t test my faith. See even a cavewoman could understand that.