Closing times for restaurants, bars, and clubs; exemptions

Are you a hospitality business that would like to stay open longer than permitted? In certain cases, this is possible. You can apply for an exemption to do so.

Apply for an exemption at least 8 weeks in advance.

Terms and Conditions

• For (sports) clubs and foundations, the closing times of the cafeteria are linked to the serving hours—the times during which low-alcohol beverages may be served within the club or foundation. These serving hours are specified in the General Local Ordinance. If, in addition to keeping the canteen open longer, you also wish to serve low-alcohol beverages during different hours, you can apply for a combined exemption for serving hours and closing times.
• Restaurants and bars may report a one-time event to the municipality up to six times a year. This allows for an increase in noise limits from 20 dB(A) and 33 dB(C) until 1:00 a.m. at the latest. You can report an occasional event at the same time using the application form. If you do not need a (combined) exemption, you can report the occasional event via the page“Events by Hospitality Establishments or Organizations—Reporting.”

Costs

• Exemption from closing hours only € 55,02
• Combined exemption from gift tax and closing hours: €87.02

Approved Non-Standard Closing Times

The mayor has decided to extend the closing times for hospitality establishments during certain festivities, as described below:

Carnival

• The closing times for restaurants and bars will be extended by 1 hour on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday mornings, until 2:00 a.m.
• The flexible closing time on Sundays (the night from Saturday to Sunday) does not apply during Carnival. Therefore, the closing time for hospitality establishments on the night from Saturday to Sunday is 2:00 a.m.
• The closing times for restaurants and bars that sell only food and/or non-alcoholic beverages will be extended until 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday mornings.
• With regard to outdoor seating areas, the provisions set forth in the APV shall apply.

King's Night

• On King’s Night, a sliding closing time policy applies. This means that after 2:00 a.m., new visitors may no longer be admitted to the establishment. The latest closing time is 5:00 a.m. With regard to outdoor seating areas, the provisions set forth in the APV apply.
• The closing times for restaurants and bars that sell only food and/or non-alcoholic beverages will be extended to 3:00 a.m.

Boxing Day

• The closing time for restaurants and bars will be extended by 1 hour to 2:00 a.m. If Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the sliding closing time will not apply.
• The closing times for restaurants and bars that sell only food and/or non-alcoholic beverages will be extended to 3:00 a.m.
• With regard to outdoor seating areas, the provisions set forth in the APV shall apply.

New Year's Eve

• On January 1, there will be no closing time for restaurants and bars.
• With regard to outdoor seating areas, the provisions set forth in the APV shall apply.