Off-licence

An off-licence (or offie) is the British term for a licensed shop selling alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises, as opposed to a bar or public house which is licensed for consumption at the point of sale. It is analogous to the way that take-away food contrasts with a restaurant.

Related Topics:
British - Licensed - Alcoholic beverage - Bar - Public house - Take-away - Restaurant

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Off-licences may be specialist shops, convenience stores, parts of supermarkets, or attached to bars and pubs. Typically, prices are substantially lower than in bars or pubs.

Related Topics:
Shop - Convenience store - Supermarket

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The name derives from one particular division of British licensing laws. Some public houses will also possess an off licence as part of their regular licence, allowing them to sell sealed alcoholic drinks (e.g. unopened bottles of wine) for consumption elsewhere.

Related Topics:
Licensing laws - Public house

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When restaurants refer to themselves as fully licensed this is usually misleading: they generally only have an on-licence.

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