In a bar, a last call (last orders) is an announcement made shortly before the bar closes for the night, informing patrons of their last chance to buy alcoholic beverages. There are various means to make the signal, like ringing a bell, flashing the lights, or announcing verbally. Last call times are often legally mandated and vary widely globally as well as locally. Legislation's purposes include reducing late night noise in the neighborhood, traffic crashes, violence, and alcohol related health problems.
Australia In New South Wales, there is no specified closing time, but in residential areas, bars are often required to close at midnight. In non-residential areas, some bars are open 24 hours. A six-hour daily closure period applies to new licenses (and extended hours authorizations) granted from 30 October 2008, which is nominated depending on individual and community circumstances. During a significant part of the early 20th century, bars in Australia and New Zealand were closed at 6 p.m. by law. The resulting rush to buy drinks after work was known as the six o'clock swill.
Austria Bar closing hours in Austria are regulated by the federated states. In most states bars must close at 4 a.m. although many places have special permits to close later. In the capital, Vienna, bars and clubs are allowed to stay open until 6 a.m. Alcohol is allowed to be served until the bar or club closes.
Belgium There is no legally mandated last call in Belgium; many bars will stay open all night.
Brazil There is no legally mandated last call in Brazil; many bars will stay open all night. Some cities have laws that require bars to close during the early morning hours.
Canada British Columbia: Last call for serving alcohol is generally 2:00 a.m. provincially. Municipalities may change last call to as early as 12 a.m. or as late as 4 a.m. if they so choose. Downtown Vancouver's last call was moved to 4:00 a.m. but was subsequently lowered to 3 a.m. On New Year's Eve last call is extended to 4 a.m. provincewide if food is available to patrons at the premises. Regulated liquor stores (both private and government-operated) can sell off-premises alcohol from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., with government-operated liquor stores typically closing before 9 p.m. Alberta: Last call and sale of alcohol from a store or establishment is 2 a.m. province-wide. In an establishment, a customer may have no more than two drinks in possession after 1 a.m. or last call, whatever comes first. All liquor drinks are to be removed from patron areas by 3:00 a.m. at the latest. Manitoba: Last call and the sale of alcohol from a store or establishment is 2 a.m. province-wide. During special events, establishments are permitted to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. Ontario: Last call begins at 1:45 a.m. and fifteen minutes are allowed for ordering an alcoholic beverage. It is no longer legally permissible to serve alcohol past 2 a.m., although the province has the authority to grant waivers to allow closing at 4 a.m. during special events. On New Year's Eve, all licensed premises are allowed to serve until 3:00 a.m. In all cases, there is always an added 45 minute "consumption period" allowing patrons additional time to consume their purchases after alcohol sales have ended. Even though licensed establishments are never required to close their doors by a certain time, all alcohol must be removed by the end of the consumption period. Alcohol sales may occur only within regulated stores, which will always close between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., depending on the location or the store (LCBO, Beer Store, Wine Stores or selected grocery stores). Licensed establishments can serve alcohol as early as 9:00 a.m. Quebec: Last call is 3 a.m. province wide for establishments serving alcohol (with some exceptions), while the sale of alcohol from a store is restricted after 11 p.m. Bars may allow customers to stay until 4 a.m. but may not serve alcohol past 3 a.m. Bars across the river from Ottawa (Hull area) close at 2 a.m. to match their Ontario counterparts. New Brunswick: Sales can start at 11:00 a.m. but must end at 2:00 a.m. the following day. A tolerance period of 30 minutes, beyond 2:00 a.m., is allowed to give patrons time to consume their beverage. At 2:30 a.m. the premises must be vacated. Newfoundland and Labrador: Last call is 2 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 3 a.m. the rest of the week. There is then a 30 minute "consumption period" before bars must close. Nova Scotia: Last call for most establishments is 2 a.m., Cabaret businesses are allowed to serve until 3:30 a.m. Saskatchewan: Last call is 2 a.m. On New Year's Eve, it is extended until 2:30 a.m. (on Jan. 1). Northwest Territories; Yukon: Last call is 2 a.m., extended to 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
China Many bars, KTVs and nightclubs have no specific last call and will continue to sell alcohol and stay open provided there are paying customers present. During times when national security is increased (i.e. the Olympics, the 60th Anniversary of the PRC), closing times may be in effect in some cities between 1 and 2 a.m. Alcohol is sold through retailers 24 hours a day.
Croatia Establishments that serve drinks may register as bars and may be open in inhabited areas only indoors and only between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., but no such restrictions exist if bars are located outside inhabited areas. Various exceptions can be made for bars located in transit facilities, if approved by the local authorities, etc. The prescribed working hours for bars are a frequent point of contention between city authorities and local businessmen, particularly during the summer tourist season.
Finland Bars are allowed to serve drinks until 1:30 a.m., but a provincial government may at the proprietor's request, grant extensions up to 4 a.m. Extensions require the establishment to maintain a higher standard of amenities, service and entertainment by, for example, providing a coat check, entertainment programming such as a DJ or live music, and even general cleanliness and "look and feel" count. The laws were loosened beginning of 2018. A last call is not announced per se, but as a custom, the lights are flashed a few times (or in case of a dimly lit establishment such as a nightclub, all lights are left on) to notify the customers that serving drinks is over. In Finnish lexicon "valomerkki" (lit. "Light signal") has become a common synonym for ending any activities for the night.
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