Tiki Time Tours was granted approval by Kelowna City Council on Monday, Sept 21 to serve alcohol to guests.
The approval follows an initial application being denied by City Staffers on September 2, 2026.
With the decision, Tiki Time Tours can move ahead with a formal request to the province for a liquor liscense.
The business uses a city owned public dock near Waterfront Park for guests to load and unload. Since first launching in 2020, the company has allowed guests to bring their own alcohol. In a presentation to Council, Tiki Time Tours said a liquor licence lets the business control what alcohol comes aboard, including its type and source, rather than leaving that to guests. The tours would also include a certified bartender to make sure the guests are served alcohol safely.
City Councillor Ron Cannan agreed with the reasoning provided by Tiki Time Tours.
“I think it’s better to have this control than the B-Y-O-B present process and better accountability and I think more responsible service and ultimately a public safety oversight and also supporting local tourism.”
Tiki Time operates identical licensed liquor primary vessels in Vancouver, B.C.
