Little Somethin' Somethin' Beer: Arizona's Unique Brew

Arizona's liquor laws have changed over the years, with the state now allowing the sale of alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day, including Sundays. Bars, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and events must stop selling alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day, and customers must finish their drinks by 2:30 a.m.

Arizona is not a dry state, and it does not have any dry counties. The state allows alcohol delivery and the sale of growlers.

Alcohol delivery services in Arizona

Arizona has a range of alcohol delivery services, which can bring wine, beer, and spirits directly to your door.

Drizly

Drizly offers a huge selection of over 2000 products, including beer, wine, liquor, and mixers. They have over 40 liquor store partners in Arizona, with delivery in under an hour.

Minibar Delivery

Minibar Delivery offers a similar service, with thousands of products available from local stores. Delivery takes 30-60 minutes and there is a $5 fee.

Other services

There are also a number of other alcohol delivery services in Arizona, including restaurants, bars, and liquor stores. These are permitted to deliver alcohol under Arizona law, but there are some restrictions. For example, deliveries are restricted to the standard alcohol sale hours of 6 am to 2 am, and bars and restaurant deliveries are limited to 4 oz of liquor in a mixed drink.

Arizona's drinking laws for under 21s

Arizona has strict laws regarding drinking for those under 21. The minimum drinking age in Arizona is 21, and there are only two exceptions to this law: alcohol consumption for legitimate medicinal purposes, and consumption as part of a religious service or ceremony.

Arizona law prohibits anyone under 21 from entering a bar unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is of legal drinking age. However, minors are still not allowed to order or consume alcoholic beverages on the premises. Additionally, it is illegal for those under 21 to drive with any trace of alcohol in their system. The state has a zero-tolerance policy, meaning that a minor can be charged with a DUI if they have a blood alcohol content level of .01 or higher. The penalties for this include a possible 6-month sentence in a juvenile detention facility, a 2-year suspension of their driver's license, and the installation of an ignition interlock device on their vehicle.

Arizona also has laws prohibiting minors from possessing alcohol (MIP) and driving under the influence (DUI). Minors can be charged with a misdemeanor for possessing alcohol if they illegally obtain alcohol or enter a licensed alcohol establishment with a fake ID, ask someone to purchase alcohol for them, or ask someone to sell or give them alcohol. The penalties for MIP include a possible sentence in a juvenile detention facility of up to 6 months for a Class 1 Misdemeanor, up to 4 months for a Class 2 Misdemeanor, or up to 30 days for a Class 3 Misdemeanor. Additionally, all MIP charges may result in an up-to-180-day driver's license suspension.

The use of a false ID to purchase alcohol is also a crime in Arizona and can result in a Class 3 Misdemeanor, which carries the possibility of jail time.

Where to buy beer in Arizona

Arizona is not a dry state, and it does not ban or severely limit the sale or possession of alcohol. Beer can be purchased in Arizona any day of the week between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. the following day.

There are several options for where to buy beer in Arizona. These include bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. Arizona grocery stores and gas stations can also sell beer, wine, and liquor during the hours between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day.

Beer can also be purchased online and delivered to your door in Arizona. Minibar Delivery, GotoLiquorStore, and Total Wine & More are some of the online platforms that deliver beer in Arizona.

It is important to note that Arizona has strict DUI laws and open container laws. The minimum drinking age in Arizona is 21 years.

Arizona's DUI laws

Arizona's DUI Definition

According to Arizona law, it is illegal to drive or be in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The police can charge you with a DUI if your blood-alcohol content level (BAC) is 0.08% or greater. If you are driving a commercial vehicle, the BAC limit is 0.04%.

"Not a Drop" Law

Arizona has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. If you are under 21 and are caught driving with a BAC of more than 0.00%, you are guilty of a DUI.

"Shelter Rule" Defence

The "Shelter Rule" law is a temporary shelter defence against a DUI charge. It states that pulling over to the side of the road or into a parking lot could be argued as relinquishing physical control of the vehicle, as you are avoiding drunk driving.

Arizona DUI Penalties

Although most DUI offences in Arizona are labelled as misdemeanours, the consequences are still serious, even for a first-time offender. The penalties increase for extreme or aggravated DUI.

Aggravated DUI Penalties

In Arizona, you have committed an aggravated DUI if:

• You are arrested for a DUI with a suspended, revoked or cancelled license.
• You commit a third DUI offence within 84 months of a previous conviction.
• You commit a DUI offence while a person under 15 is in the car.
• You have an ignition interlock device (IID) in place but refuse to submit to a BAC test.

An aggravated DUI is a felony that carries stiff punishments, including up to two years in prison, loss of your driver's license for a year, mandatory alcohol education, treatment and screening, installation of a certified IID in your vehicle, and mandatory community service.

Extreme DUI Penalties

An extreme DUI refers to drivers with a BAC level exceeding 0.15%. For a first offence, drivers will serve a mandatory jail sentence of at least 30 days without the eligibility of probation or a suspended sentence, and must pay a minimum fine of $2,500. They will also be required to install an IID in their vehicle and enrol in an alcohol screening, education and treatment programme.

For a second or subsequent offence, the punishments are even more severe. The driver's license will be automatically revoked for a year, and they will face a minimum jail sentence of 120 days. In addition to the mandatory IID and alcohol screening, education, and treatment programme, they must also perform community service.

The cheapest places to buy beer in Arizona

Arizona has a range of places where you can buy beer, including bars, restaurants, liquor and grocery stores, breweries, and taprooms. Beer can be purchased any day of the week between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. the following day.

When it comes to the cheapest places to buy beer in Arizona, it depends on whether you're buying from a restaurant or a supermarket.

Supermarkets

If you're looking for the cheapest imported beers in supermarkets, head to Tempe, where they cost just $1.20. Bullhead City is another great spot, with imported beers priced at $1.46. Yuma and Peoria are also budget-friendly options, with imported beers costing $2.

For domestic beers, Surprise offers the lowest prices at $1.86.

Restaurants

If you're dining out and want to save money on beer, eateries in Gilbert and Queen Creek offer the cheapest pints of domestic beer among the areas studied, at $3 each.

For imported beers, Queen Creek restaurants offer the best value, with prices at $3.50, while Gilbert is a close second.

Bars

For cheap drinks in bars in Phoenix, check out places like Dilly Dally Lounge, The Cash Nightclub and Lounge, and H.B. Hanratty's Pub, which are all recommended for their affordable drinks.

Online

It's worth noting that Arizona also permits online orders and shipments of liquor from specific license holders. However, this option is limited to wine and distilled spirits, and the consumer and recipient must be 21 or older.

Frequently asked questions