Restaurants in a trendy Vancouver neighbourhood feeling the pinch from confusion over new provincial liquor laws have banded together to take the guesswork out of just how much is too much to drink before getting into your car after a meal.

The toughest drunk driving laws in Canada took effect here last month, leaving drivers unsure about how much alcohol they could consume to safely remain under the legally allowed limit.

This nervousness about the new alcohol limits translated to slower restaurant sales, according to Neil Wyles, president of the Yaletown Business Association and owner of the popular Hamilton Street Grill.

"I felt a big hit," Wyles said. "My clientele is a little older. They've got kids and a mortgage and they have these extra responsibilities and don't want to risk it."

Under the new rules, drivers found with a blood alcohol level above .08 will be handed a 90-day driving ban. Those between .05 and .08 face a three-day ban and fine.

Wyles said the new limits confused both clients and servers, and, in some cases, prompted people just to stay home.

"All the waiters in B.C. take a government mandated program with guidelines about drinks per hour to be under the old limit – but do we just throw that out the window now?"

Sensing a perplexed and uneasy diner base, the Yaletown BIA launched a promotion to coincide with its Taste of Yaletown event, running today until Oct. 31.

The YBIA has given $10,000 in taxi vouchers to the 26 participating restaurants to distribute to guests to ensure diners can enjoy their experience – and also get home safely.

Annette O'Shea of the YBIA said most people don't want to do the math about how much they can drink.

"We said, ‘look, let's make this easy.' Come down and enjoy a beautiful meal, pair it with a beautiful wine or cocktail and we'll give you the designated driver," she said.

"Everybody can just be at ease and get a free ride home."

The taxi rides will be doled out at the manager's discretion, meaning not everyone will be getting a free ride. But O'Shea said hopefully the promotion will encourage people to take transit to the area and just take a cab home on their own.

"For $10 for a taxi ride, why would you risk taking your car? The cab fares are about the same cost as valet parking."