Buying Beer On Christmas Day In Arizona: What's The Deal?

Arizona's liquor laws have changed over the years, with the state now allowing the sale of all types of alcohol in grocery and convenience stores, and there are no holiday-specific restrictions. Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Arizona can sell beer between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day, including Christmas Day.

Arizona's relaxed alcohol laws

Arizona's alcohol laws are determined by factors such as the type of alcohol, the location of sale or consumption, and the age of the individuals involved. The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, governed by Title 4 of the Arizona liquor laws, controls the sale of alcohol in the state. The state permits any store with an off-premises liquor license to sell any type of alcohol, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and specialty liquor stores. Drive-through liquor stores are also allowed in Arizona. Bars and restaurants can sell closed containers of alcohol for off-premises consumption, but on Native American reservations, the laws may be more restrictive.

The legal drinking age in Arizona is 21, and it is illegal to consume alcohol in public places. Arizona's DUI laws are strict, with different states setting penalties at varying degrees of harshness. For example, in Arizona, a driver under 21 will be considered impaired if there is any trace of alcohol in their system, and penalties for the first DUI conviction can include a suspended license for two years.

On-premise vs off-premise consumption rules

Arizona's liquor laws allow for the sale of alcohol every day of the week, including Christmas Day. However, there are specific time restrictions for on-premise and off-premise consumption.

On-Premise Consumption

Bars, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and events are allowed to sell alcohol for on-premise consumption between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day. After 2 a.m., these establishments must stop selling alcohol until 6 a.m. Customers are allowed to finish their drinks until 2:30 a.m., after which it becomes illegal for anyone other than employees to have an open container.

Off-Premise Consumption

Any store with an off-premises liquor license, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and specialty liquor stores, can sell alcohol for off-premise consumption. Additionally, bars and restaurants can sell closed containers of alcohol for off-premises consumption. The hours for off-premise sales are the same as for on-premise consumption, i.e., between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day.

It is worth noting that Arizona's liquor laws do not allow for dry counties, as all counties must follow the same rules and regulations across the state.

Arizona's liquor license requirements

Arizona does not ban or severely limit the sale or possession of alcohol. The state sets the timings during which licensees may sell alcohol, and outside of these timings, you cannot buy alcohol. Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Arizona can sell beer between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day, including Sundays and Christmas Day. All on-premise and off-premise consumption locations have the same window for legal sale hours.

Arizona has a Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, which provides application kits and forms for liquor licenses. The types of licenses include:

• In-state producer
• Out-of-state producer
• Out-of-state craft distiller
• Limited out-of-state winery
• Out-of-state farm winery
• Out-of-state microbrewery
• In-state microbrewery
• Wholesaler
• Government
• Bar
• Beer and wine bar
• Conveyance
• Liquor store
• Beer and wine store
• Hotel/motel
• Restaurant
• In-state farm winery
• Private club
• Special event
• Festival/fair
• Direct-to-consumer wine shipment
• In-state craft distiller
• Remote tasting room
• Alternating proprietorship
• Custom crush

The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control also provides information on various other topics, including:

• Trainer application
• Liquor license descriptions
• License status definitions
• Multiple licenses
• Required training for licensees
• Accepted forms of payment
• Fingerprint services
• License application kits
• Liquor license lottery
• Liquor board hearings
• Liquor board members and terms
• Restaurant liquor laws
• Restaurant and audit forms
• Special event contractors list
• Sampling events
• Reporting liquor violations
• Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide
• Growlers
• Home brewing, distilling, and winemaking
• Local delivery and intra-state transportation of liquor
• Minimum drinking age
• Drinking laws
• Open container laws
• DUI laws

Arizona's DUI laws

The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in Arizona is 0.08%. However, for commercial drivers, the limit is lower at 0.04%BAC of 0.08% or higher, they can be charged with a DUI.

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Penalties for DUI in Arizona

The penalties for a DUI in Arizona vary depending on the number of offenses and the driver's age. Here are the consequences for different scenarios:

• First offense: Minimum 10 days in jail, minimum fine of $1,250, mandatory alcohol screening and education, installation of a certified ignition interlock device, and community service.
• Second and subsequent offenses: Minimum 90 days in jail, minimum fine of $3,000, license revocation for 12 months, mandatory alcohol screening, education, and treatment, installation of a certified ignition interlock device, and community service.
• Drivers under 21: Arizona has a "not a drop" law, which means that any driver under 21 with a BAC greater than 0.00% is guilty of a DUI. If caught, their license may be suspended if there is any alcohol concentration in their system.

Aggravated DUI in Arizona

In Arizona, an aggravated DUI is considered a felony and carries stiff punishments. It applies in the following situations:

• The driver has a suspended, revoked, or canceled license.
• The driver commits a third DUI offense within 84 months of a previous conviction.
• The driver commits a DUI with a person under 15 in the car.
• The driver has an ignition interlock device (IID) in place but refuses to submit to a BAC test.

The penalties for an aggravated DUI include up to two years in prison, loss of the driver's license for a year, mandatory enrollment in an alcohol education and treatment program, installation of a certified IID, and community service.

Extreme DUI in Arizona

An extreme DUI refers to drivers with a BAC level exceeding 0.15%. For a first offense, the penalties include a mandatory jail sentence of at least 30 days without the possibility of probation or a suspended sentence, a minimum fine of $2,500, installation of an IID, and enrollment in an alcohol screening, education, and treatment program.

For a second or subsequent offense, the penalties become more severe, with a minimum jail sentence of 120 days, license revocation for a year, and the same mandatory requirements as the first offense.

Arizona's drinking age

Arizona's drinking laws are relatively relaxed when it comes to the purchase and consumption of alcohol. The state does not ban or severely limit the sale or possession of alcohol, and its 15 counties are not granted the power to change their status to dry. Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Arizona can sell beer between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day, with an additional half an hour for customers to finish their drinks. The same hours apply to on- and off-premise consumption locations, including package and liquor stores, breweries, and taprooms. Arizona grocery stores and gas stations can also sell beer, wine, and liquor during these hours.

The minimum drinking age in Arizona is 21, and there are no exceptions to this restriction. However, minors may be allowed to drink for religious reasons or with their parents or guardians. Arizona has strict laws regarding minors in possession (MIP) of alcohol and driving under the influence (DUI), with penalties including misdemeanour charges, time in a juvenile detention facility, and driver's license suspension.

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