Venue not allowing shots at bar

View quoted message This is what we think we’ll end up doing!!

View quoted message Interesting!

View quoted message Good to know! Thank you!

At first our venue said the same- that shots were not permitted (our venue is in Cambridge, ON), but we talked to them about how we must have shots (to us and our culture it is a celebratory thing) and they worked with us and we got the approval for shots. I believe they had that policy in place due to past experiences with heavy partiers and drinkers being out of control, but after conversing with them about it they had no problem being accommodating

Not sure about Ontario but in Quebec I doubt there is a law since every wedding I have ever been to has had shots the bar. What a strange law.

This is a pretty common clause. I would say it’s the case at about 50% of weddings I have been to. Another one I have seen at two venues that are semi popular: no drinks on the dance floor.

Never heard of that before...

View quoted message

Our venue is allowing us so I'm not too worried.

View quoted message The Loft at Earl's in yaletown has this rule.
However, I personally think it's just in writing for liability. The bridal party was definitely taking shots. Maybe they were just ordering their mixers seperate? Op, I wouldn't let it deter you from booking your dream venue. No one seemed to miss them before the bride and groom pulled them out. And everyone got just as rowdy in the meantime

I’ve been to a few weddings where shots were not allowed but they had a loophole where you could ask for (let’s say a shot of tequila) but on the rocks. Maybe your venue bartenders might have that same loophole!

We’re getting married in Stratford and we are allowed to have shots, I know St Marys GCC does not allow shots after 10pm but the reasoning is just because guests get too out of hand

Our venue also doesn’t allow shots. They’re reasoning was also along the lines of people getting too drunk. We thought about it but then ultimately decided it would have been a big deal for us if we were still in our 20s but being in our mid-thirties now it wasn’t a deal breaker.

Never heard of this in the contract or from a venue though its understandable to keep guests sober point watered down drinks. I don't even know if our venue offered shots at the time of reception.

View quoted message Lucky!!!! I wish we could

View quoted message I know when I’ve done shots as past weddings we did them at the bar so makes sense

View quoted message Ok good to know! I thought my venue was just being really lame but I feel better knowing it’s a thing

View quoted message Wow that’s intense. I get not wanting people to be overly intoxicated I guess. Sucks because we’d love to do some shots with our friends!

View quoted message Half of the venues we looked at during our search didn't allow shots because they didn't want to deal with over inebriated guests. Some just don't because it's more profitable for them to serve watered down cocktails. A few that allowed shots requested we hire additional security. Some wouldn't even allow one person getting multiple drinks.

I can't speak for Ontario, but for BC there's no issue with us taking shots at my venue for my upcoming wedding

Our venue and others we looked at all did not allow shots either. The recent weddings I’ve been to also did not allow shots. All within the Kitchener-Waterloo area. I have a feeling it has to do with keeping guests from getting completely inebriated - venues do have several responsibilities of consumers.

In many venues I visited around the GTA they didnt allow shots so I wouldnt say its completely out there but not super common. I think it just depends on the venue and policies!

I've never heard of an open bar not having shots, but I've been warned that it creates a lot of wasted top shelf expensive alcohol as people will order rounds for people who don't want them. A lot of bars require people to drink the shots at the bar so the staff can keep an eye on who is drinking too much and to know when to cut people off.


It's annoying, but unless you and your friends are people who usually do many shots they might not be missed.

That’s strange - never heard that before. We are having shots in our receiving line (not even at the bar) and it’s allowed. We just can’t have our siblings pass out the shots, it has to be licensed liquor servers.


Shots are also available at our bar through the servers.

View quoted message Wish I knew this ahead of time, although it’s not really a make it or break it thing but would’ve been good to know

My planner told me that many venues don't allow shots and for me to ask before booking if it was a big deal.

View quoted message

I actually just double checked our contract and shots are available but we just didn't purchase that package.

The Pearl venues are more within the GTA so I don't believe that venue is apart of the list.

View quoted message Ok well if your venue is not allowing it then I feel a bit better lol hmmm not sure if it’s a Pearl venue? It’s The Briars in Jackson’s Point

I can't speak for the legalities in Ontario - but here in Manitoba we had no problems with having shots at both my wedding as well as my wedding social.

I wasn't aware that this was a "legal thing" in Ontario but our venue also doesn't allow shots either. I think we may have questioned this when going through our contract but I couldn't remember their reasoning. Is your event space a Pearl wedding venue? Just wondering if it's their rule but I've definitely been to weddings where shots are allowed.