A great party is one where everyone has fun and everyone gets home safely. As a host, you set the tone: what you serve, how you serve it and how you handle the end of the night all make a difference. With late-summer barbecues, long weekends and the fall party season ahead, this is a practical guide to hosting responsibly in Ontario, from understanding a “standard drink” to the rules around ID, impaired driving and alcohol delivery.
Know the basics: age and ID
The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19. That applies to buying alcohol, being served and having it supplied to you. As a host, never serve alcohol to anyone under 19, even at a family party. When alcohol is delivered, the driver must check government-issued photo ID for the person receiving it, and will refuse the order if the recipient is under 19 or appears intoxicated. Alcohol sales and delivery in Ontario are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
For more on the rules for ordering online, see our guide to buying alcohol online in Toronto.
What counts as a standard drink in Canada?
Drinks come in very different sizes and strengths, which makes it easy to lose track. In Canada, one standard drink contains about 13.45 grams of pure alcohol, which is roughly:
- 341 ml (12 oz) of beer, cider or cooler at 5% alcohol
- 142 ml (5 oz) of wine at 12% alcohol
- 43 ml (1.5 oz) of spirits at 40% alcohol
That means a tallboy of strong beer, a generous glass of wine or a cocktail with two shots can each be closer to two standard drinks. Pour with a jigger, use standard-size glasses and be careful with strong punches.
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, published by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, explains that the risks of alcohol rise with every drink. It suggests that two standard drinks or fewer per week carries a low risk, and recommends not going over two drinks on any one day.
Set up the party for moderation
The way you set up your bar can do a lot of the work for you:
- Serve food from the start and keep it coming. Food, especially protein and starch, slows the absorption of alcohol.
- Make water easy to find. Put a large jug of ice water and glasses right next to the drinks.
- Offer great alcohol-free options, not just soda: mocktails, alcohol-free beer, sparkling juices or a spritz without the spirit. Guests who aren’t drinking should feel just as welcome.
- Choose lighter drinks: lower-alcohol beers, wine spritzers and highballs rather than strong punches and shots.
- Don’t top up glasses automatically. It makes it hard for guests to keep track.
- Stop serving alcohol an hour or so before the party ends and switch to coffee, water and dessert.
Our guide to estimating alcohol for a party helps you buy the right amount, so you are not left with a mountain of drinks that encourages overdoing it. If you are planning a work event, see how to plan corporate cocktail party drinks.
Recognising when someone has had enough
Signs that a guest may be intoxicated include slurred speech, loss of balance, loud or aggressive behaviour, drowsiness or confusion. If you notice them:
- Offer food and water, and stop offering alcohol.
- Keep the conversation friendly and avoid confrontation.
- Make sure they have a safe way to get home, and never let them drive.
- If someone is unresponsive, has trouble breathing or can’t be woken, call 911. Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency.
Impaired driving rules in Ontario
Ontario has some of the strictest impaired driving rules in the country. In short:
- A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more is a criminal offence.
- Drivers with a BAC from 0.05 to 0.079 (the “warn range”) face immediate licence suspensions and penalties.
- Drivers aged 21 and under, and novice drivers with G1, G2, M1 or M2 licences, must have a BAC of zero.
- The same rules apply to impairment by drugs, including cannabis, and to operating boats and off-road vehicles.
Full details are on the Government of Ontario’s impaired driving page. The safest rule is simple: if you have been drinking, don’t drive.
Plan rides home before the party starts
- Ask guests how they are getting home when they arrive, not when they are leaving.
- Encourage a designated driver, and keep alcohol-free drinks they will actually enjoy.
- Share transit times and rideshare options in the invite.
- Have a couch, air mattress or spare room ready for anyone who needs to stay.
- Collect car keys at the door for bigger parties if your group is comfortable with it.
How delivery can help
One of the most common reasons people drive after drinking is a late-night beer or wine run. Delivery removes that temptation. Instabooze delivers across Toronto and the GTA, so nobody at your party needs to get behind the wheel to restock. Drivers check ID on every order and won’t deliver to anyone who is underage or intoxicated. Learn more in 5 reasons to use an alcohol delivery service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal drinking age in Ontario?
The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19.
How many drinks is a bottle of wine?
A standard 750 ml bottle of 12% wine contains about five standard drinks.
Where can I get help if I’m worried about my drinking?
In Ontario, ConnexOntario offers free, confidential information about mental health and addiction services 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. You can also speak with your doctor.
Responsible hosting isn’t about being the fun police. It is about making sure the only thing your guests remember the next day is how good the party was.
