List of alcohol laws of the United States by state

This list of alcohol laws of the United States by State provides an overview of alcohol-related laws by state throughout the United States. This list is not intended to provide a breakdown of such laws by local jurisdiction within a state; see that state's alcohol laws page for more detailed information.

As of July 1988, all U.S. states and the District of Columbia have a minimum purchase age of 21. However, prior to 1988, the minimum purchase age varied from state to state. Unlike the states, the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a minimum purchase age of 18; however, the minimum purchase age is 21 in the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

Contents

List by state

State Alcoholic beverage control state Alcohol sale hours Grocery Store Sales Notes
Beer Wine Distilled spirits On-premises Off-premises Beer Wine Distilled Spirits
Alabama No Yes No later than 2 a.m. on Sundays in some counties. Yes No 13.9% ABV cap on beer
Beer containers may not exceed 16 ounces (0.47 l)
ABV > 14.9% wine sold in state stores
Alcohol may be served 24 hours unless restricted by local ordinances. Twenty-six of Alabama's 67 counties do not allow the sale of alcohol. However, possession and consumption remains legal within those twenty-six counties. Cities with populations greater than 1000 within dry counties can "go wet" if passed by 50% of voters.
Alaska No 8 a.m.–5 a.m.,[1]
except election days (liquor stores may not open until polls close)
No (although many grocery stores have separate areas that sell all forms of alcoholic beverages and many bars sell packaged liquor as well) Most communities have more restrictive laws, ranging from restrictions on operating hours to bans on sale and possession.[2] Sellers/servers may not, for any reason, give a person alcohol for free or sell it for less than its cost. Sellers/servers may drink while on duty, but no intoxicated person may remain on the premises, so an impaired server could be arrested.[1]
Arizona No 6 a.m.–2 a.m. 7 days a week-No election day nor holiday restrictions [3]
Yes Sales of any type of alcohol are legal at any store that has an off-premises liquor license, including but not limited to convenience stores and grocery stores. Bars may sell closed containers of alcohol for consumption off the premises. Drive-through liquor stores are allowed. Everclear Grain Alcohol Proof 190 (95% alcohol) is legal. A large percentage of the land area of Arizona is in Indian reservations, many of which have liquor laws considerably more restrictive than state law, up to and including total prohibition. "Beer busts" (all the beer/liquor one can drink for a set price) in bars are illegal. Persons 19 years of age or older may work in bars and liquor stores serving and selling alcohol. Patrons may not have more than two drinks in front of them at any time, or one large pitcher of beer. DUI penalties are some of the most severe in the nation. A person convicted of a DUI (even first offense) must have an interlock installed in his or her car for one year. Arizona has an 'Impaired to the Slightest Degree' law that can convict a person even if his or her BAC is less than .08%.
Arkansas No 7 a.m.–2 a.m. (Class A Private Club)
10 a.m.–5 a.m. (Class B Private Club)
7 a.m.–1 a.m. (Restaurant)
7 a.m.–1 a.m. (Mon.–Fri.)
7 a.m.–midnight (Sat.)
Yes No Has numerous dry counties and other dry areas, but private clubs can serve even in dry areas.
Alcohol sales are generally prohibited on Sundays, but exceptions can be made through local option (usually for restaurants and private clubs).
No sales on Christmas Day.
California No 6 a.m.–2 a.m. Yes Relatively unrestricted; beer, wine and liquor available at grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and warehouse clubs. No statewide holiday restrictions.
Motor vehicles entering from Mexico may only import 1L of alcohol (duty free). Sale or distribution of alcohol higher than 153 proof is illegal.
You may serve alcohol if you are at least 18 years of age.

City and County governments can set different sale hours.

Colorado No 7 a.m.–2 a.m. Beer, wine, and liquor: 8 a.m.–midnight

3.2 beer: 5 a.m.-midnight

3.2 only* No* Spirituous, vinous & malt liquor available in liquor stores and liquor-licensed drug stores only.
Liquor stores closed on Christmas Day. Sunday sales restriction lifted on July 1, 2008. Liquor stores and liquor-licensed drug stores may have only one location, while 3.2% beer may be sold in gas stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Appropriately licensed businesses may also sell 3.2% beer for both on and off-premise consumption. A small number of grocery stores are licensed as drug stores and sell full strength beer, wine, and spirits.
Connecticut No 9 a.m.–1 a.m. (Mon.–Thurs.)
9 a.m.–2 a.m. (Fri.–Sat.)
11 a.m.–1 a.m.(Sun.)
8 a.m.–9 p.m. (Mon.–Sat.) Yes No No off-premises sales on Sundays; Sunday on-premises sales subject to local ordinances.

Beer can be purchased at grocery/convenience stores. Spirits and wine can only be purchased at liquor stores.

Delaware No 9 a.m.–1 a.m. 9 a.m.–1 a.m. (Mon.–Sat.)
noon–8 p.m. (Sun.)Municipalities with a population over 50,000 persons may impose stricter hours of sale by local ordinance.
No For off-premise consumption, alcohol may only be purchased in liquor stores, taprooms or brew pubs that have an off-premise license. No person under 21 may enter a liquor store or taproom for any reason even for the intent of purchasing only tobacco or lottery tickets. No sales of alcohol by liquor stores or taprooms are permitted during designated holidays. Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement agency website
District of Columbia No 8 a.m.–2:00 a.m. Mon.–Thu., 8:00 a.m.–3:00 a.m. Fri–Sat., 10:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m. Stores Closed Sun, but bars/restaurants are open 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Yes No No singles sold
Certain wards may be made dry by the decision of the local ANC, but as of 2005 none are
Last call may be as late as 2:30 a.m.
Liquor stores must close on Sundays (except on December 24 and 31 when those dates fall on Sunday). Grocery stores, which are allowed to sell beer and wine only, can sell alcohol on Sundays.
Florida No State law prohibits selling of alcohol between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., unless the county chooses to change the operating hours later; such as for Sunday morning; Ormond Beach stays open until 7pm on Sundays. Miami-Dade County liquor stores may operate 24 hours a day. Yes No Sale, processing, or consumption of any liquor or spirit of greater than 153 proof is illegal. (FSS 565.07)

Supermarkets and other licensed business establishments may sell beer, low-alcohol liquors, and wine. Liquor must be sold in dedicated liquor stores which may be in a separate part of a grocery or a drug store. Beer must be sold in quantities of 32 or fewer ounces or greater than 1 gallon. Forty- and 64-ounce beverages are illegal.

Georgia No Hours of sale determined by local jurisdiction. No alcohol sales on Christmas Day. Yes No 14% ABV cap on beer.

Sunday off-premises sales from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. allowed only by local referendum.[4]
In general, one may not be drunk in public. Though there is no state law prohibiting drinking in public, most municipal corporations and political subdivisions limit the possession of open containers of alcohol to private property, with one notable exception being Savannah. A charge of public drunkenness is only warranted when one is drunk in public and his acts are either loud or disorderly.

Hawaii No Bars and restaurants stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m., but some hold a special ‘cabaret license’ that allows them to continue serving alcohol until 4 a.m. [4] 11:50 a.m. to 12 a.m. Yes
State Alcoholic beverage control state Alcohol sale hours Grocery Store Sales Notes
Beer Wine Distilled spirits On-premises Off-premises Beer Wine Distilled Spirits
Idaho No Yes 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m. in some counties Yes No Alcoholic beverages exceeding 16% ABV can only be sold in Idaho State Liquor Dispensary stores, or contracted stores.
Illinois No Depending on local government; 24-hour bars are permitted in Cicero; a handful of 21-22 hour bars exist in Cook County, and the Metro East. Yes Opening/closing hours are up to the decision of counties or towns.
Indiana No 7 a.m.–3 a.m. 7 a.m.–3 a.m. No sale on Sunday Yes Sales limited to on-premises in restaurants, wineries and breweries on Sundays.

No sales on Christmas. Minors, including babies, are not allowed to enter a liquor store. No sales of cold beer in grocery stores or gas stations.

ID must be presented for all off-premises sales as of July 1, 2010 per IC 7.1-5-10-23. (Outdated as of 1 July 2011)

Iowa No Yes 6 a.m.–2 a.m. Mon–Sat
8 a.m.–2 a.m. Sun[5]
Yes ABV > 5% beer shipped through state warehouse
Kansas No 9 a.m. - 2 a.m. (in counties which allow on-premises sales) 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Mon–Sat) (in counties which allow off-premises sales)
noon - 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. (Sun) (in communities which allow Sunday off-premises sales)
3.2 only No Kansas's alcohol laws are among the strictest in the United States. Kansas prohibited all alcohol from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit on-premises sales of alcohol from 1949 to 1987. Sunday sales only have been allowed since 2005. Today, 29 counties still do not permit the on-premises sale of alcohol. 59 counties require a business to receive at least 30% of revenue from food sales to allow on-premises sale of alcohol. Only 17 counties allow general on-premises sales. Not all communities which allow off-premises sales allow sales on Sunday. Sales are prohibited on Christmas and Easter. The only alcoholic beverage which grocery stores and gas stations may only sell is beer with no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight. Other liquor sales only are allowed at state-licensed retail liquor stores. Kansas has comprehensive open container laws for public places and vehicles, public intoxication laws, and requirements for prospective on-premises or off-premises licensees.
Kentucky No 6 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Monday through Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Sundays Yes No Local ordinance may vote to permit Sunday sales at restaurants. Sales from 2–4 a.m. only in Louisville. As of 2005 Sunday sales were allowed per state law, but may still be prohibited in some areas by local ordinance (as of early 2006, such a situation existed with smaller cities within Louisville Metro, though these cities have since changed local ordinances).

Alcohol sale restriction and wet/dry (both by drink and package) allowed by both county and city local option. Approximately 39 counties in the state (mostly eastern and southern counties) are dry, all alcohol sale and possession prohibited; 22 "moist" counties (with "wet" cities allowing package liquor sales in counties otherwise dry); 29 counties that are otherwise dry but have communities with local option that allow sales of liquor by the drink or under special exemptions allowing sales at wineries. Majority of wet counties around major metropolitan areas in state (Louisville, Lexington, Covington, Bowling Green).

Louisiana No No state imposed restrictions on on-premise hours. "24 hour" bars are common in New Orleans and in Jefferson Parish. Some municipalities and parishes require on-premise service to stop at 2:00 am. No restrictions on hours of package sales statewide. Yes Packaged alcoholic beverages of any strength may be sold in supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, and convenience stores 24 hours a day. Local municipalities may not restrict this. As a result, dedicated "liquor stores" are mostly specialty stores in larger cities, and some supermarkets have large selections of liquors and wines, and compete on the basis of liquor prices and selection.

Alcohol can be consumed in the streets of New Orleans as long as it is in an "unbreakable container" (no glass) and taken from club-to-club if the establishment allows it. Otherwise it depends on the locality. Most parishes other than Orleans Parish do not permit alcoholic beverages served at on-premise establishments to be taken from the premises. However, many parishes and municipalities permit consumption of packaged beverages (for example, cans of beer) on the street. Glass bottles on the streets are prohibited. One can enter most bars at 18 years of age but must be 21 years old to purchase or consume alcohol. Also, it is legal in the state of Louisiana for a legal parent or guardian to purchase alchoholic beverages for their under-aged child.

Maine No Yes 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Mon–Sat)
9 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Sun)
Yes Yes [6] ABV > Alcohol may not be purchased after 1 a.m. any day of the week, may not be purchased prior to 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and not prior to 9 a.m. on Sunday. Wholesaling through state-licensed monopoly[7].
Maryland Variable by locality Variable by locality Variable by locality Variable by locality Baltimore County prohibits the sale on Sunday in some areas.
In the counties of Montgomery, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester sale of alcoholic beverages are controlled directly by the county Liquor Control Boards, there is exceptions in Montgomery where some liquors are still sold in grocery store due to being grandfathered before the change of the law.
Garrett County prohibits the sale on Sunday except in some areas.
The sale of alcohol at grocery and convenience stores varies by county.
There are no dry counties, but some individual voting districts within counties restrict or prohibit alcohol on a local-option basis.
Massachusetts No 8:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m. by state law, although individual cities and towns may prohibit sales before 11:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m.[8] Not before 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.[9] 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., or 8:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m. on the day before a holiday.[10] Not before noon on Sunday. Yes. No individual, partnership, or corporation may have more than three off-premises licences in the state, nor more than two in any city, nor more than one in any town. No individual, partnership, or corporation not resident or headquartered in Massachusetts may apply for a license, although one may devolve thereupon.[10]
On-premises regulations: No discounts at specific times (i.e. no "Happy Hour" discounts) or for specific individuals, no fixed-price open bar or all-you-can-drink (except at private functions), no more than two drinks per individual at any one time, no pitchers for fewer than two people, no drinking contests, no drinks as prizes, no free drinks.[11]
Off-premises sale of alcohol is prohibited on the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas if Christmas falls on a Sunday.[9]
Sale of alcohol is prohibited during polling hours on election days (subject to local exceptions).[9]
"Malt beverages" defined as having not more than 12% alcohol by weight.[12]
State Alcoholic beverage control state Alcohol sale hours Grocery Store Sales Notes
Beer Wine Distilled spirits On-premises Off-premises Beer Wine Distilled Spirits
Michigan No Yes 7 a.m.–2 a.m. (Mon-Sat)

noon-2 a.m. (Sunday)*sales may begin at 7 a.m. with special license extension

7 a.m.-2 a.m. (Mon-Sat)

noon-2 a.m. (Sunday)*sales may begin at 7 a.m. with special license extension ,[13]

Yes The Michigan Liquor Control Commission allows the sale of alcoholic beverages until 11:59 p.m. on December 24 and after 12:00 p.m. on December 25. On-premises sales are permitted on January 1 until 4:00 a.m. Local or county ordinance may restrict Sunday or Sunday morning sales. State does not operate retail outlets; maintains a monopoly over wholesaling of distilled spirits only.
Minnesota No (but see note) 8 a.m.–2 a.m. 7 Days 8 a.m.–10p.m. (Mon–Sat) 3.2% Only No Local and/or County ordinance prevails for hours of operation for off-sale licenses. No alcohol off-sale on Sunday. Growler sales allowed until 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Certain municipalities may establish municipal liquor stores; they are permitted, but not required, to exclude privately owned stores[14].
Mississippi No Yes Local authorities fix hours of alcohol sale Yes No ABW > 5% wine and sparkling wine sold in state-contracted stores. Beer and light wine (ABW < 5%, ABV < ~6.3%) sold in convenience stores/supermarkets. Beer over 5% ABW prohibited. Beer and light wine (ABW < 5%) may be consumed by persons age 18-20 with parental supervision.

No sales on Christmas Day. No state open container laws. Free alcohol all day and night in coastal casinos.
In most counties, alcohol cannot be sold on Sundays. There are many dry counties in which it is illegal to possess alcoholic beverages, though some cities within dry counties have voted in beer sales.

Missouri No Most establishments:

(Mon–Sat) 6:00am–1:30am

(Sunday) 9:00am–12:00am

Special licenses in Kansas City and St. Louis:

(Daily) 6:00am–3:00am

(Mon–Sat) 6:00am–1:30am

(Sunday) 9:00am–12:00am

Sales permitted until 3:00 am in those Kansas City and St. Louis bars grandfathered into the ability to double as liquor stores.

Yes One of the most alcohol-permissive states, perhaps only behind Nevada and Louisiana:
  • Patrons allowed to take open containers out of bars in Kansas City's Power & Light District.[24]
  • Parents and guardians may furnish alcohol to their children.[25]
  • Missourians over 21 may manufacture up to 100 gallons of any liquor per year for personal use, without any further state limitation, state taxation, or state license.[26] (Obtaining a permit from the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and meeting other requirements under federal law probably still is required for private citizens to manufacture distilled alcohol - but not wine or beer - for personal use.[27][28][29][30][31])

Missouri law recognizes two types of alcoholic beverage: liquor, which is any beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol except "non-intoxicating beer"; and "non-intoxicating beer,"[32] which is beer containing between 0.5% and 3.2% alcohol. Liquor laws[33] apply to all liquor, and special laws apply to "non-intoxicating beer."[32]

Montana No Yes Closing 2am Yes No ABV > 16% wine sold in state-contracted stores, ABV < 16% may be sold in grocery stores.
Nebraska No 6 a.m.–1 a.m. Legislation passed in 2010 allows for municipalities to extend on-premise sales to 2 a.m. with two-thirds approval of city or county councils.[34] Yes No on- or off-premises sales of spirits before noon on Sundays. All beer, wine, and champagne

can be sold starting at 6 a.m. In Omaha, it was illegal to sell all liquor before noon. On December 19, 2006, the Omaha city council voted 5-1 to repeal the law.[35]

Nevada No 24 hours 24 hours Yes There are few restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol in Nevada except for age.

State law also renders public intoxication legal, and explicitly prohibits any local or state law from making it a public offence.[36]

New Hampshire Yes 6 a.m.–1 a.m. 6 a.m.–11:45 p.m. Yes No Liquor sold in state-run stores, many found at highway rest areas.
14% ABV cap on beer. State is wholesaler of wine. State taxes beer $0.30/gal at the wholesale level.
New Jersey No Varies by municipality. Most municipalities have a last call of 2 a.m. Larger cities such as Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City set their closing time at 3 a.m. Atlantic City and Brigantine serves 24 hours. Some dry towns in the southern part of the state, including Ocean City. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., unless bar/restaurant has license to permit Beer/Wine off-premises, then hours must be the same as on-premises hours Rarely Some dry communities in historically Methodist and Quaker communities in the southern part of the state.

Though there is not a ban on selling alcoholic beverages at grocery stores, New Jersey limits each chain to two licenses, so except for a few exceptions, most supermarkets/convenience stores/gas stations/pharmacies do not sell alcoholic beverages. In addition, liquor sales are only permitted in a separate department or attached sister store.
Bars are allowed to off-sale packaged goods.
With the exception of Jersey City and Newark, all municipalities MUST allow off-sales of beer and wine at any time on-sales are permitted. However, since alcoholic beverages are generally only found in package stores, this right is rarely exercised.
Alcoholic beverages by the drink as well as off-sales of beer and wine are permitted 24 hours a day in Atlantic City and Brigantine.

New Mexico No 7 a.m.–2 a.m., except Sundays, for establishments with full dispenser license.[37]

7 a.m.–11 p.m., except Sundays, for restaurants with beer and wine license.

7 a.m.–12 a.m. except Sundays[38] Yes New Mexico issues two types of license for consumption on-premise: a full dispenser license allowing sale of all types of alcohol, or a restaurant license permitting sale of beer and wine only. An additional Sunday permit is available which allows sale (on and/or off premise) on Sundays from noon until midnight. Exceptions are the prohibition of alcohol sale on Christmas, regardless of the day it falls on,[39] and a Sunday permit allowing of sale (on and/or off premise) until 2:00 a.m. January 1, if December 31 falls on a Sunday.[40] Sunday permits are only available where approved by voters within a local option district.[41] Selling, serving and giving alcohol to a minor is a class 4 felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
State Alcoholic beverage control state Alcohol sale hours Grocery Store Sales Notes
Beer Wine Distilled spirits On-premises Off-premises Beer Wine Distilled Spirits
New York No 8 am–4 am. Some counties have more restrictive hours. Beer: Per state law, 24 hours/day.
Wine & spirits: 9 am–midnight Mon–Sat, Noon–9 pm Sunday.
Many counties have more restrictive hours, such as bans on beer sales overnight (hours vary).
Yes No Off-premises sale of wine and spirits is only at liquor stores, and beer is not sold at liquor stores; it must be sold at supermarkets and convenience stores. Exchanges for returned items are permitted (at store owners' discretion).[42]

Some counties may retain the Sunday morning beer prohibition which the state discontinued as of July 30, 2006. Twelve dry towns, mostly in western region of state. All liquor stores must be owned by a single owner, who owns that store and lives within a certain distance of it — effectually banning chain liquor stores from the state. New York City law does not allow open containers of alcohol in public.

North Carolina No Yes No sales between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday or between 2 a.m. and noon on Sunday Yes No 15% ABV cap on beer, No sale of alcoholic beverages between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 2 a.m. until noon on Sundays, State stores closed on Sundays. Bottled liquor must be sold in ABC Packages stores, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Effective December 1, 2010, the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Commission, no longer carries any product stronger than 151 proof, citing concerns from a single county that the majority of the 190 proof grain alcohol product was being purchased in package stores near college campuses.[43]
North Dakota No 12 p.m. - 2 a.m. Sundays 8 a.m. - 2 a.m. Mon-Sat before 2.am. Thanksgiving Day No No off-sale on Thanksgiving Day. No Christmas Day on-sale, nor sales on Christmas Eve after 6 p.m.
Ohio No Yes 5:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. 5:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. Yes, under 21% ABV 12% ABV cap on beer. 21% ABV cap on wine. The Division of Liquor Control does not operate retail outlets; it appoints private businesses to act as its agents and sell its products in exchange for a commission. Normal proof spirits (>21% ABV) are sold only in a limited number of agent stores. Many retail outlets sell diluted spirits (diluted by water to 21% ABV) under a more readily obtained permit.

No intoxicating liquor shall be handled by any person under twenty-one years of age, except that a person eighteen years of age or older employed by a permit holder may handle or sell beer or intoxicating liquor in sealed containers in connection with wholesale or retail sales, and any person nineteen years of age or older employed by a permit holder may handle intoxicating liquor in open containers when acting in the capacity of a server in a hotel, restaurant, club, or night club. .[44]

Alcohol can be sold/given to people under the age of eighteen if given by a physician in the regular line of his practice or given for established religious purposes, or the underage person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian.[45]

Oklahoma No 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Mon-Sat) 3.2 in grocery stores and gas stations all above 3.2% in Retail Package Stores No 4.0% ABV/3.2 ABW or higher only sold at room temperature in liquor stores, Liquor Stores closed on Sundays and some holidays. As of 2007, liquor stores are now open on election days. State law prohibits public intoxication, many counties and cities also prohibit public intoxication.
Oregon No Yes 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.[46] Yes No Liquor, all of which is state-owned prior to sale to consumers, is sold in private liquor stores. These stores are approved by Oregon's Liquor Commissioners to act as sales agents on the state's behalf.

Oregon Liquor Control Commission

National Alcohol Beverage Control Association

Pennsylvania No Yes Sunday sales at hotels and restaurants are permitted from 11:00am ET until 2:00am ET Monday only with a special annual permit and whose sales of food and non-alcoholic beverages are at least 30% of total sales.

pacode.com Private clubs can serve alcohol from 7.00 a.m. till 3.00 a.m. Sales of alcohol have to stop at 3.00 a.m. [5]

State stores hours vary from 9a.m. to 10p.m. Mon–Sat and always noon until 5p.m. Sunday. Check with Liquor Control Board store search No Wine and spirits can only be sold at State-operated stores. All persons must be at least 21 years of age to enter a state-operated liquor store alone. Beer is not sold at state-operated liquor stores.

Beer can be purchased at beverage outlets (cases only), or restaurants (6-packs/restricted quantities) with Liquor Control Board–issued licenses, but not supermarkets. Non-alcoholic beer is an exception, and may be sold in supermarkets, but persons buying it still must be at least 21 years of age.

Sunday sales were prohibited in LCB stores until 2003 (selected locations) and beverage outlets (owner's option) until 2005.

There are currently seven state liquor stores located within supermarkets.

In 2010, a trial was initiated to test selling wine in grocery stores using vending machines. The buyer must present identification, look into a camera to allow an offsite PLCB employee to verify the identification, and blow into a breathalyzer to authorize the sale. (See US Wine Vending Machines) This practice was ended in September 2011. (See State Pulls Plug On Wine Kiosk Program)

As of 2007, some convenience stores and grocery stores were trying to fight Pennsylvania's strict laws on the sale of alcohol. (See Sheetz Weis Markets and Wegman's) Since 2009, beer sales have been approved in multiple Western Pennsylvania locations of the grocery chain Giant Eagle. Giant Eagle Beer In addition, wine kiosks have also recently become available at multiple Giant Eagle locations in the Pittsburgh area. Giant Eagle Wine

Special permits may be purchased for certain organizations for fundraisers once per calendar year, and are valid for a total of six days under the same rules governing restaurants. PLCB FAQs Grain alcohol prohibited as a beverage.

Rhode Island No 1 a.m. seven days a week. 2 a.m. in Providence only on Friday and Saturday nights and nights before a state-recognized holiday. (Mon-Sat) 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

(Sunday) 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

No All alcohol may be sold only in liquor stores. Thus, convenience stores and supermarkets in Rhode Island are dry.
South Carolina No Yes On-premise closing times are local option and are not set by the state. 24 hours for beer and low-alcohol wine, 9am-7pm Mon-Sat. at liquor stores Yes No 14% ABW (17.5% ABV) cap on beer
Wine > 16% ABV sold in liquor stores
No hard liquor sales after 7 p.m. and none on Sundays.
No off-premise alcohol sales after midnight Saturday until 7 a.m. Monday, except in Aiken, Greenville, Spartanburg, Horry County, Colleton County, Richland County, Charleston County/city and Beaufort County. No sales on election days at liquor stores.
South Dakota No Yes 14% ABV cap on beer
State Alcoholic beverage control state Alcohol sale hours Grocery Stores Notes
Beer Wine Distilled spirits On-premises Off-premises Beer Wine Distilled Spirits
Tennessee No Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sun: 12 p.m. to 3 a.m. Hours of alcohol sale can be modified by local jurisdictions if approved by the alcohol control commission. 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Mon–Sat Yes No Wine is only sold in liquor stores. Sales of liquor are limited to on-premises in restaurants on Sundays. Beer above 5% ABW / 6.3% ABV must be sold in liquor stores. Open container law only applies to drivers, not passengers.[47]
Texas No Monday-Friday: 7am-midnight
Saturday: 7am-1am
Sunday: 12pm-midnight.
Some cities/counties permit sale until 2am (with license).
Beer/Non-hard liquor —
7 a.m. to midnight (Mon.-Fri.)
7 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Sat.)
12:00 p.m. to midnight (Sun.)
Hard Liquor —
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Mon.-Sat.)
Yes No No alcohol cap but ABV > 15.5% requires additional license, so many places are beer/wine only.
Wet/dry issues determined by city/county election.
Liquor stores statewide closed all day Sunday.
An alcoholic beverage served (on-premise) to a customer between 10 a.m. and noon on Sunday must be provided during the service of food to the customer. 29 Texas counties are completely dry.[48] In many counties, public intoxication laws are vigorously upheld.
Utah Yes Restaurants: Noon to midnight for liquor, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. for beer. Bars may serve liquor from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Varies by state liquor store hours 4.0% (3.2% by weight) or below only No ABV > 4.0+% sold in state-controlled stores only. State-controlled stores close on Sundays and cease operations no later than 10 p.m. the rest of the week. Restaurants must buy from the state-controlled store (no delivery) at retail prices. No alcohol may be served on Election Day until 8 p.m. No alcohol is served in restaurants without purchase of food. A ban on 4.0% or below beer available on tap was repealed in March 2009. Sales of kegs prohibited.
Vermont No Yes 8 a.m.–2 a.m. 6 a.m.–midnight Yes No ABV > 16% beer and ABV > 16% wine are only available through state liquor stores. A 2008 bill allows the sale of beer in grocery and convenience stores up to ABV 16%.
Virginia No Yes 6 a.m.–2 a.m. No restrictions at any time for club licensees. 6 a.m.–11:59 p.m. Yes No Licensed supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations may sell beer and wine. Off-premises sales no later than 12 a.m. Numerous dry counties exist.
Washington No Yes (No after June 2012) 6 a.m.–2 a.m. A local government subdivision may fix later opening hours or earlier closing hours than those here specified Yes No (Yes after June 2012) Beer and wine available in grocery stores and convenience stores every day (including federal holidays) from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Spirits for off-premise consumption are sold only in state-run or state-contracted liquor stores. All state-owned stores are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Thurs and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fri-Sat[49]. Contract stores may still set their own hours, but liquor sales may not be rung up before 8 a.m. and may not be rung up after 11 p.m. A handful of state and contract stores are open Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. State stores are open on most federal holidays, excluding New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas[50]. Contract stores have the option to remain open on any holiday at the discretion of the store manager.

Will transition to a non-control state on 1 June 2012.[51]

West Virginia No Yes Beer/Wine: Mon-Sat:7 am-2 am, Sun:1 pm-2 am -- Liquor: Mon-Sun:8 am-Midnight, Sun/Elections: Prohibited Mon-Fri:7 am-3:30 am, Sat: 7A-3:00A, Sun:1 pm-3 am Yes Yes 12% ABV Cap on Beer. 75% ABV spirits Permitted. Liquor, wine and beer products that are not already in closed packaging must be bagged before exiting retail locations. State does not operate retail stores; retains monopoly over wholesaling of distilled spirits only; stores themselves are privately owned
Wisconsin No 6 a.m-2 a.m. Sunday–Thursday, 2:30 a.m. Friday–Saturday, no closing time on New Year's Day. 6 a.m.–12 midnight for beer (some counties and municipalities only allow sales until 9 p.m. for beer), 6 a.m.–9 p.m. for liquor and wine By local ordinance Wisconsin permits the consumption of alcohol by minors, provided they are being supervised by parents/guardians/spouses. Most municipalities have a uniform 9 p.m. restriction on all alcohol sales. Notable exceptions: La Crosse, Maple Bluff (near Madison), Baraboo (near the Dells). Supermarkets, liquor stores, and gas stations may sell liquor, wine, and beer. Law changed effective 12/7/2011 to allow all liquor sales to begin at 6 a.m.
Wyoming No Yes 6.00 a.m.-2.00 a.m. No Clubs holding liquor licenses may be exempt from the hours of operation here specified by local ordinance or regulation of the appropriate licensing authority, but it doesn't seem to happen in practice
Puerto Rico No Beer, wine and spirits available for sale in supermarkets, convenience stores and drugs stores as well as liquor stores. Minimum drinking age is 18.
Dry law during elections and tropical storm emergencies
Drinking on the street is illegal in San Juan but not in all cities. Determined by municipal ordinance.
In San Juan, the only times of the year one can drink on the street legally are during selected street festivals in designated areas.

Maps of specific statistics

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board FAQ. Retrieved on 2010-03-31.
  2. ^ Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Local Option List. Retrieved 2010-3-31.
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=243552
  5. ^ http://iowaabd.com/alcohol/features/faq
  6. ^ "Current Active Agency Liquor Stores". Maine Liquor Licensing and Compliance Division. Augusta, ME, USA: Maine State Police. http://www.maine.gov/dps/liqr/active_agency_liquor_stores.htm. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations: Alcoholic Beverages". Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations. http://www.maine.gov/dafs/bablo/alcohol_bev/index.shtml. Retrieved 29 June 2011. 
  8. ^ http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/138-12.htm Massachusetts General Law M.G.L.-Chapter 138, Section 12
  9. ^ a b c http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/138-33.htm Massachusetts General Law M.G.L.-Chapter 138, Section 33
  10. ^ a b http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/138-15.htm Massachusetts General Law M.G.L.-Chapter 138, Section 15
  11. ^ http://www.mass.gov/abcc/administration/reg2040403.htm Code of Massachusetts Regulations, Chapter 204, Section 4.03
  12. ^ http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/138-1.htm Massachusetts General Law M.G.L.-Chapter 138, Section 1
  13. ^ Michigan Alcohol Laws [2]. Retrieved on 2010-12-2.
  14. ^ 340A.601, Minn. Stats. [3]. Retrieved on 2011-05-06.
  15. ^ Justin Roberts, "Missouri State and Local Open Container Laws," University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy, June 2005
  16. ^ Chapter 311, Revised Statutes of Missouri (R.S.Mo.)
  17. ^ Section 311.020, R.S.Mo.
  18. ^ Section 311.170, R.S.Mo.
  19. ^ Section 311.174, R.S.Mo.
  20. ^ a b Ibid.
  21. ^ Section 311.176, R.S.Mo.
  22. ^ Section 311.178, R.S.Mo
  23. ^ Section 311.200, R.S.Mo.
  24. ^ Section 311.086, R.S.Mo.
  25. ^ Section 311.310, R.S.Mo.
  26. ^ Section 311.055, R.S.Mo.
  27. ^ "Don't Try This at Home," Domestic Fuel: Alternative Fuel News: Archives, May 4, 2006
  28. ^ 26 U.S.C. 5179
  29. ^ 26 U.S.C. 5601
  30. ^ 26 U.S.C. 5602
  31. ^ 27 CFR Part 19
  32. ^ a b Chapter 312, R.S.Mo.
  33. ^ Chapter 311 R.S.Mo.
  34. ^ "Nebraska Bill 861". http://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Intro/LB861.pdf. Retrieved 2010-06-03. 
  35. ^ "Council Says Yes To Early Sunday Beer Sales - Political News Story - KETV Omaha". http://www.ketv.com/politics/10569235/detail.html. Retrieved 2008-02-23. 
  36. ^ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 458, Section 260". http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-458.html#NRS458Sec260. Retrieved 2007-05-10. 
  37. ^ NMSA 60-7A-1 Section A
  38. ^ NMSA 60-7A-1 Section B
  39. ^ NMSA 60-7A-1 Section D
  40. ^ NMSA 60-7A-1 Section C,H
  41. ^ NMSA 60-7A-1 Section E
  42. ^ Frequently Asked Questions | New York State Liquor Authority
  43. ^ [44]
  44. ^ "Ohio Revised Code" TITLE [43 XLIII LIQUOR" CHAPTER 4301: LIQUOR CONTROL LAW"]. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4301.22. Retrieved 2007-10-18. 
  45. ^ "Ohio Revised Code" TITLE [43 XLIII LIQUOR" CHAPTER 4301: LIQUOR CONTROL LAW"]. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4301.631. Retrieved 2010-08-19. 
  46. ^ http://www.oregon.gov/OLCC/docs/liquor_license_and_license_process/law_orientation/retailers_law_orientation_booklet.pdf
  47. ^ Tennessee State Code Title 55 Chapter 10 Part 4 Article 16
  48. ^ http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/local_option_elections/index.asp
  49. ^ http://liq.wa.gov/about/standard-hours
  50. ^ http://liq.wa.gov/stores/holiday-hours
  51. ^ "Voters kick state out of liquor business". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016720231_elexliquor09m.html. 

38. http://reports.ncabc.state.nc.us/uploads/resources/17430a04580946f89205e6dd6e62b802.pdf

External links