Evening Beer Runs: Understanding The 9 Pm Cut-Off

The ability to buy beer after 9 pm varies depending on the state and local laws. In Wisconsin, for example, state law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am, and beer between midnight and 6 am. Local municipalities can further restrict these hours, and many cities limit beer sales to 9 pm. In Milwaukee, for instance, you can only buy beer at bars after 9 pm. However, some neighbouring cities like Pewaukee, Mequon, and Racine, sell beer until midnight.

Other states have different regulations. For instance, in Mississippi, beer can only be purchased between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, and alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day. In Alabama, beer and wine are not controlled by the state, but spirits are, and in Alaska, no alcohol is state-controlled.

In Wisconsin, state law prohibits the retail sale of beer after 9 pm

The alcohol laws in Wisconsin are a combination of statewide statutes and local ordinances. Wisconsin's drinking culture has led to the state and some of its municipalities being listed among those with the highest levels of alcohol consumption. The state's history with alcohol is a tumultuous one, with the Wisconsin legislature passing a law in 1849 that held liquor sellers accountable for the costs incurred by local governments in supporting alcoholics.

The state's alcohol regulations intensified with the passage of the Graham Law in 1872, which prohibited the sale of alcohol to minors and required liquor sellers to post a substantial bond. German-Americans, who were known for their alcohol consumption, opposed this law. While they lost their challenges in court, they were able to elect lawmakers who passed less restrictive legislation in 1874, allowing Sunday liquor sales and reducing the required bond amount.

Today, Wisconsin's alcohol laws continue to evolve. A 2023 bill is set to allow minors over 14 years old to work in establishments serving alcohol, and the state now permits unlimited quantities of liquor, beer, or wine to be purchased at once. While state law generally prohibits the retail sale of beer after 9 pm, with a cut-off of midnight, local municipalities often choose to restrict sales further, making it challenging to purchase beer after 9 pm in many parts of Wisconsin.

Local municipalities can further restrict retail sales of alcohol

The retail sale of alcohol is governed by a complex system of federal, state, and local laws in the United States. While federal alcohol restrictions apply to all states, local laws govern smaller jurisdictions. These laws vary significantly across the country, with each state and territory empowered to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors within their borders.

Local municipalities can further restrict the retail sale of alcohol in their communities. For example, in Wisconsin, the state law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and beer between midnight and 6:00 a.m. However, local municipalities in Wisconsin can impose additional restrictions on top of these state-mandated limits. Local ordinances in Wisconsin often prohibit the retail sale of beer after 9:00 p.m., even though state law allows sales until midnight.

The ability of local municipalities to restrict alcohol sales is not unique to Wisconsin. Many other states also allow local jurisdictions to impose additional restrictions on alcohol sales. For instance, in California, counties can restrict sales with local laws, despite the state's lenient laws on liquor promotion. In Alabama, 26 out of 67 counties prohibit the sale of alcohol altogether, even though possession and consumption remain legal.

Local municipalities can also choose to completely ban the issuance of retail liquor licenses, effectively making their communities "dry." This is the case in at least two municipalities in Wisconsin, where the retail sale of alcohol was prohibited until recently.

The specific restrictions on alcohol sales vary widely across the country, and it is important to be aware of the laws in your particular state or municipality to avoid any legal issues. These laws can include restrictions on the days and hours of sale, the types of alcohol that can be sold, and the establishments where alcohol can be purchased.

In Milwaukee, you can buy beer at bars after 9 pm

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you can buy beer at bars after 9 pm. This is because, while the state law in Wisconsin restricts the sale of beer to midnight, local municipalities can further restrict retail sales of alcohol. In Milwaukee, the sale of alcohol in liquor and convenience stores is prohibited after 9 pm.

Milwaukee's earlier cut-off time for alcohol sales is due in part to the city's sizeable college population. The idea is that more lenient laws would lead to more house parties.

Some residents of Milwaukee have expressed frustration with the restrictive laws, especially those who work past 9 pm and would prefer to buy a six-pack on their way home instead of going to a bar. However, other residents are content with the existing laws, which they believe help keep everything in check.

While it may be challenging to find a bar that sells beer to go in Milwaukee, there are a few options. One option is the Falcon Bowl in Riverwest, which is reportedly able to sell beer after 9 pm due to being grandfathered in. Another option is the Metro Market in Shorewood, which sells beer and wine until 11 pm.

If you're willing to travel outside of Milwaukee, there are several places in neighbouring cities that sell beer until midnight, such as Stop and Go, Dock of the Bay, and PDQ in Lake Country, and Kwik Trip in Mequon.

Some gas stations in Wisconsin sell beer after 9 pm

In Wisconsin, state law prohibits the retail sale of beer between midnight and 6:00 a.m. However, some gas stations in the state sell beer after 9 p.m.

In Milwaukee, for example, it is not possible to buy alcohol in liquor and convenience stores after 9 p.m. However, there are a few options for those seeking to purchase beer after this time. One suggestion is to leave Milwaukee County, with gas stations in Mequon, Pewaukee, Merton, and Okauchee mentioned as possible places to find beer until midnight. Another option is to head to a bar, as some will sell you a six-pack to go, although this may be at a steep markup.

In Madison, the curfew for buying beer is also 9 p.m., but there are a couple of options just outside the city. Vic Pierce Liquor on Sherman Avenue sells beer until midnight, and Kwik Trip on Milwaukie Street sells malt beverages until midnight.

While Wisconsin's state law allows the sale of beer until midnight, many municipalities have been lobbied by the Tavern League to make the local cut-off 9 p.m.

In some states, you can buy beer 24 hours a day

In the United States, the laws pertaining to the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol vary significantly across the country. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act sets the minimum drinking age to 21 years across the country, the 21st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives individual states the power to regulate the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages.

In some states, such as Louisiana, Nevada, and South Carolina, alcohol can be sold 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In Louisiana, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol unless the municipality decides that on-premise sales must stop at 2 PM. Nevada has very few alcohol laws beyond a minimum age requirement, and stores can be open 24 hours a day. South Carolina allows 24-hour sales of beer and low-alcohol wine, and liquor can be sold from 9 AM to 7 PM at liquor stores.

Other states have more restrictive laws governing the sale of alcohol. For example, in Mississippi, alcohol can only be purchased between 10 AM and 10 PM from Monday to Saturday, and alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day. Similarly, in Alabama, while alcohol can be served 24 hours a day, 26 out of 67 counties do not allow the sale of alcohol.

Frequently asked questions