Tipping: Many bars in Canada have table service, which means you order at your seat rather than at the counter. This usually means a tab is created for you and, when you settle your bill, tipping of 15 to 20 percent is common. Alternatively, if you order, pay for and and pick up your drink at the counter, drop a dollar coin or two into the tip jar for each drink.
Buy or bring your own: Often government operated, liquor stores are easy to find in Canada. Grocery stores do not commonly sell liquor here, although that is changing in some areas. You may find restaurants advertising a “corkage fee” – this means you can bring your own wine to the restaurant and you will be charged a fee for the privilege (often somewhere between $5 and $20). This approach to dining out is especially popular in Quebec.
“Spirited” festivals: Wherever you find yourself on your Canadian travels, check ahead to see if there’s a drink-themed festival or two to drop into while you’re here. Wine, beer and spirits festivals abound in many areas and they’re a great way to sample regional tipples and meet the locals. Consider B.C.’s Vancouver Craft Beer Week in late May or Ontario’s Niagara Icewine Festival in January, plus many more.