Boozy pedal pubs: Ontario allowing alcohol on popular open-air bicycle bars
By: By Gabby Rodrigues - Canada's Global News
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Boozy pedal pubs: Ontario allowing alcohol on popular open-air bicycle bars
As of July 1, pedal pubs -- where several people sit on a large open-air bicycle with seats surrounding a central bar -- will be allowed to have alcohol on board.
The Ontario government has finally allowed alcohol to be served and consumed on pedal pubs starting in July in a bid to boost tourism.
As of July 1, pedal pubs — where several people sit on a large open-air bicycle with seats surrounding a central bar — will be allowed to have alcohol on board.
Boozeless pedal pubs currently operating in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor and are used to transport 12 or more people to restaurants and bars would have this alcohol change applied, the government said.
Previously, alcohol was not allowed to be sold, served or consumed on pedal pubs when Ontario launched a 10-year pilot program for it in 2022.
"Pedal pubs offer a fun and memorable way to explore Ontario's communities, and we're making sure that experience is responsible," said Attorney General Doug Downey.
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"Beginning this summer, Ontario is supporting a unique opportunity that will not only stimulate tourism and bring communities together, but also protect local jobs, our economy and small businesses across the province," Downey said.
Pedal pubs are often a popular choice for birthday parties, bachelor or bachelorettes, and other group activities especially for those visiting from out of town.
The Ontario government said pedal pubs are allowed to operate in a community only once the local municipality passes a bylaw to permit operations.
Municipalities may also set special local rules for operating the pedal pubs on their roadways, such as designated routes and hours of operation, so that they don't cause disruption or contribute to traffic issues, the government said.
In addition, the government said a liquor licence must be obtained from the AGCO (the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) to sell and serve alcohol on pedal pubs. This process will open in July.
"This initiative builds on Ontario's work to modernize the alcohol marketplace responsibly and safely," the government said.
"In the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, the government is continuing to pursue opportunities to help grow Ontario's $32 billion provincial tourism industry, which supports 325,000 jobs across the province."
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Now THAT looks like fun (as long as the driver doesn't drink).
Too bad these are a relatively new thing. I would have loved to have been part of a group of friends on one of those things in Toronto. There are lots of interesting and varied areas there through which it could have taken us. Do they have this concept anywhere in the USA?
I've seen one of these in Minneapolis but have never ridden on one. Apparently these party bikes originated in the Netherlands. The first one in the US may have been in Minneapolis about 20 years ago.
Today they're scattered around the United States.
So it appears they've been around for a while. Ontario always had relatively strict and limiting alcohol laws, so I'm surprised lto see such an "open" kind of concept there.
Party bike tours may have been available in Toronto as a bar crawl. That would have avoided the problem of serving alcohol. You'll have to check it out the next time your back for a visit.
If I ever again leave China it will be in a box, For some reason that site you linked is blocked here.
Is this like a booze cruise?
Don't know - never been on one.
I've seen these things in various places over the last 20 or so years. My personal opinion is it involves too much work to have a beer
What work - sitting on a stool? I was thinking of the fun of it going through colourful areas of Toronto, like Chinatown, Kensington Market, LIttle Italy, the waterfront, Sunnyside, Hogg's Hollow, etc. It wouid be great for tourists. Problem is making required loo stops. LOL
Nope, it's the pedal power to make the vehicle (and stool) go that I have a problem with
Lol I hadn't even considered that problem. I wonder if anyone has drank themselves sick while on one of these?
OMG. I never realized that they had to push pedals, totally ignoring the name PEDAL pub. You're right - that does reduce the fun of the "voyage". It's sort of like what Vic called a "booze cruise" if everyone had to row.
Lol I kinda figured you'd missed that. Luckily I had the advantage of seeing several of these in action IRL