Obtaining a Restaurant and Café Liquor Licence in Regional Victoria

Opening or expanding a café in regional Victoria often comes with a common question:
“Do we need a liquor licence — and if so, what type?”

For many regional hospitality operators, a Restaurant and Café liquor licence is the most appropriate option, allowing alcohol to be served in conjunction with meals while supporting a relaxed, community-focused dining experience.

This article outlines the process using a real regional example from the township of Rainbow in Victoria’s Wimmera region.

Restaurant and Café Liquor Licences: What Do They Allow?

A Restaurant and Café liquor licence permits the supply of alcohol only where the primary purpose of the premises is the preparation and serving of meals.

In practice, this means:

• Alcohol must be supplied with or ancillary to food

• The venue must operate primarily as a café or restaurant

• Stand-alone drinking is not permitted

For regional venues, this licence type is often well suited to:

• Cafés seeking to offer wine, beer or spirits with meals

• Small hospitality venues wanting to enhance the dining experience

• Businesses catering to tourists and weekend visitors

Case Study: Hayden’s Cafe, Rainbow

OTL Consulting Group was engaged to assist Hayden’s Cafe, a well-known local café in the regional township of Rainbow, to obtain a Restaurant and Café liquor licence.

The café sought to expand its offering by introducing licensed dining to complement its existing food service, particularly for visitors travelling through the region.

Planning and Licensing Considerations in Regional Towns

Even in smaller towns, liquor licence applications must be supported by accurate documentation and compliant plans.

For Hayden’s Cafe, our scope included:

• A detailed site inspection to understand the layout and operation of the premises

• Preparation of updated plans reflecting the intended use of the venue

• Ensuring the plans aligned with Liquor Control Victoria requirements

• Preparing and lodging the liquor licence application

• Responding to requests for further information during assessment

Clear, accurate plans are particularly important for smaller venues, as inconsistencies can delay approval or trigger unnecessary follow-up questions.

Working with Liquor Control Victoria

All liquor licence applications in Victoria are assessed by Liquor Control Victoria (LCV).

For regional applications, this often involves:

• Demonstrating the venue’s primary food-based operation

• Confirming patron numbers and seating arrangements

• Showing compliance with licence conditions from the outset

By managing the application process end-to-end, OTL Consulting Group ensured the licence was assessed efficiently and approved without unnecessary delay.

Rainbow, Victoria: A Regional Tourism Destination

Rainbow is a small but vibrant township in Victoria’s Wimmera region, known for its strong sense of community and growing tourism profile.

One of the town’s standout attractions is the Rainbow Silo Art, part of the wider Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail. The silo artwork has become a major drawcard for visitors travelling through western Victoria, bringing increased foot traffic to local businesses.

For hospitality venues like Hayden’s Cafe, being able to offer licensed dining supports:

• Longer visitor stays

• Improved visitor experience

• Increased viability during peak tourism periods

Why Regional Liquor Licensing Still Requires Specialist Advice

While regional liquor licence applications can appear straightforward, common issues include:

• Incorrect licence type selection

• Inaccurate or outdated plans

• Misalignment between planning approval and licensing requirements

• Delays caused by avoidable information requests

Engaging a consultant with experience in both planning and liquor licensing helps ensure applications are prepared correctly from the outset — saving time, cost and frustration.

Thinking About a Liquor Licence for Your Café or Restaurant?

If you operate a café or restaurant in regional Victoria and are considering introducing alcohol service, early advice can help determine:

• Whether a liquor licence is required

• Which licence type is most appropriate

• What documentation will be needed

• How long the process is likely to take

OTL Consulting Group provides liquor licensing advice and application management for hospitality venues across Victoria — from small regional cafés to larger destination venues.