Drink promotions
Advertising ban on drink promotions
On the 29 April 2005, a ban was introduced on the external advertising of free drinks, multiple drinks and/or discounted liquor at all licensed premises in Queensland.
The ban aims to curb inappropriate behaviour associated with alcohol use and in particular, binge drinking which dramatically increases the risk and incidence of injury, assault, public disorder, and other problems.
Extreme discounts, free drink promotions and other drink promotions targeting young people perpetuate a culture of binge drinking. The practice is usually driven by one or two licensees in a locality with others then being driven by competitive pressures to follow.
The following are examples of what must not be advertised external to the licensed premises or the premises to which the permittee's permit relates:
- free drinks
- multiple quantities of liquor, for example two for one, six drinks for a certain price etc
- the sale price of liquor
- any type of drinking promotion, for example, happy hours, all you can drink, toss the boss etc.
This only applies where there is consumption of the alcohol on the licensed premises or premises to which the permit relates and does not apply to bottle shops.
Advertising of discounted drinks and/or drink promotions may still occur inside the premises, but only if it is not visible or audible to a person who is outside the premises.
Licensees who breach the advertising ban may be fined up to $10,000.
For more information, download the fact sheet from the Fact Sheet section of the Publications and Resources pages.
Alcohol beverages advertising code (PDF 90 K)
The Australian Alcohol Guidelines referred to in the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code is published by The National Health and Medical Research Council.
Drink promotions and happy hours
Binge drinking has been a major factor in alcohol-fuelled incidents in and around licensed premises. Restricting drinking competitions will assist in curbing irresponsible drinking and significantly improve the safety of patrons, hospitality employees and the general public.
For premises in the Brisbane City Council area bans on competitions and restrictions on happy hours are a condition of their licence.
Licensees can continue to provide competitions and games as long as they:
- are conducted responsibly
- do not involve the competitive consumption of liquor
- do not offer free or discounted liquor as a prize
For further information, refer to s.142AL of the Liquor Act 1992 and s.37H of the Liquor Regulation 2002 or download the fact sheet from the Fact Sheet section of the Publications and Resources pages.
Happy hours
The following "happy hour" activities are prohibited under s.37H(2) of the Liquor Regulation for licensed premises (or premises to which a permit relates):
- a happy hour that is more than two hours between 7am and 9pm
- a happy hour that is more than one hour between 9pm and 1am
- having a happy hour or part of a happy hour after 1am
- more than one happy hour on a day, without at least one hour between the end of each happy hour and the start of the following happy hour
- a happy hour that starts before 9pm and ends after 9pm
"Happy hours" include any temporary, time limited discount on a trading day for the relevant part of the premises (e.g. public bar, nightclub, etc) traditionally known as a "happy hour", whether or not the activity is actually advertised or otherwise called a "happy hour" ("publican’s shout", "afternoon special").
There is no limit on the number of "happy hours" that can be conducted on any one day, provided the maximum duration, and break between "happy hours" are complied with.
Last reviewed 20 November 2009
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