It's that time of the year when friends and family will be meeting up for a few drinks over Christmas.
A chance to catch up and to have a drink in a warm setting, away from the stresses of work and to wind down the year.
Hospitality Ulster, the trade body for pubs and bars in NI, has reminded punters of the trading hours that pubs have to abide by over Christmas though.
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There are different regulations in place for the immediate nights around Christmas.
They are as follows:
- Christmas Eve - Licensed premises may sell alcohol 11:30am-11pm, those with a ‘late licence’ may sell alcohol until midnight. Plus one hour of 'drinking-up time'. Off-licences attached to pubs may sell alcohol 11.30am-11pm, off-licenses in shops may operate from 8am-11pm.
- Christmas Day - Licensed premises may sell alcohol 12:30pm-10pm, even if they hold a late licence. Plus one hour of 'drinking-up time'. Off-licences are not allowed to sell alcohol at all.
- Boxing Day - Licensed premises may sell alcohol from 11:30am-11pm, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am, or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol from 8am-11pm.
- New Year's Eve - Licensed premises may sell alcohol from 11:30am-11pm, and those with a late licence may sell alcohol until 1am or with further additional permitted hours until 2am. Off-licences may sell alcohol from 8am-11pm.
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