Off license意思

"Off license" is a term primarily used in the United Kingdom and Ireland to refer to a retail establishment that is licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. This means that customers are allowed to buy alcohol from the store but are expected to consume it elsewhere, typically in a private residence. In contrast, an "on-license" establishment, such as a bar or a restaurant, is licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises.

The term "off license" is derived from the fact that the license granted by the local authorities allows the sale of alcohol in a takeaway fashion, i.e., for consumption off the premises. These stores can sell a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits, and sometimes even cigarettes and lottery tickets.

In the United States and some other countries, the term "package store" or "liquor store" is more commonly used to describe a business that sells alcohol for off-premises consumption.