Richmond council endorses 24-hour liquor service for YVR burger restaurant

Richmond city council unanimously endorsed a proposed amendment to Romer's Burger Bar's liquor licence on Monday, allowing the restaurant to serve alcohol 24 hours a day. The restaurant is located in YVR's U.S. and International Departures Terminal.

The endorsement will be sent to the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, whose approval requires council support for new liquor-primary licences and substantive changes to existing ones. The airport already has eight other 24-hour liquor licences.

Romer's current liquor-service hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. It has operated since June 2025 without issues reported to staff, and its seating capacity will remain 70.

City staff found no objections to the proposal from councillors or Vancouver Coastal Health. Their analysis found no expected noticeable noise impact or significant community impact, and no public comments were received. Community bylaws and licensing director Mark Corrado said there are no schools, parks or other public buildings near the restaurant, and that only travellers and airport personnel who have passed security can access it.

Coun. Carol Day said round-the-clock food and refreshments make sense for people travelling through the internationally recognized airport, since travellers may be operating on different time schedules.