Good Friday Beer Buying: What's The Deal?

Good Friday is one of the few dry days in Australia, with various restrictions on alcohol sales imposed across the country. While some states have stricter laws than others, the general rule is that no takeaway alcohol is sold, and licensed venues can only serve alcohol on their premises for a limited time. However, there are some exceptions and loopholes to these rules, and the restrictions vary by state. For example, in New South Wales, no takeaway alcohol sales are permitted, and pubs and bars are generally open, but bottle shops are closed. On the other hand, in Tasmania, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol outside of normal trading hours. In the United States, there is no formal prohibition against drinking beer, wine, or spirits on Good Friday within the Catholic Church, and it is considered a tradition in some places.

Buying beer on Good Friday in Australia

Good Friday is one of the only days in Australia when alcohol sales are specifically restricted, rather than as a consequence of trading hours. While the rules vary from state to state, it is generally not possible to buy takeaway alcohol on Good Friday.

In New South Wales, there are no takeaway alcohol sales allowed and licensed venues can only serve alcohol on their premises between midday and 10 pm. This means pubs and bars are open, but bottle shops are closed. However, venues with a producer licence, such as microbreweries and cellar doors, are able to sell alcohol.

In Queensland, there are restrictions on drinking at venues on Good Friday, with beverages only allowed to be served with a meal between 10 am and midnight. Major sporting facilities such as stadiums and their bars are exempt, but takeaway alcohol is unavailable.

Victoria allows producers to sell their drinks to the public on Good Friday, although most takeaway shops are closed. Licensed venues can serve alcohol from midday to 1 am.

In Western Australia, people can have a Good Friday drink with a meal in most clubs, hotels, pubs, and restaurants. However, takeaway and bottle shop sales are banned. Interestingly, if a patron purchases wine to accompany their meal and doesn't finish it, they are permitted to take the remainder home with them. Nightclubs can remain open until 3 am.

Tasmania has the most relaxed rules, with no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday outside of the usual trading hours.

In the Australian Capital Territory, there are no restrictions on alcohol sales or trading hours.

Buying beer on Good Friday in the US

In the United States, there is no federal law prohibiting the sale or consumption of alcohol on Good Friday. The legal drinking age is 21, and each state has its own laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, which apply every day of the year, including Good Friday.

In some states, alcohol laws are relatively relaxed. For example, in Nevada, stores can be open 24 hours a day, and liquor can be sold in grocery and convenience stores. In New York, on-premise sale of alcohol is allowed from 8 am to 4 am, and beer is always available off-premise except from 3 am to 8 am on Sundays.

However, some states have more restrictive laws. For instance, in Kansas, alcohol sales are prohibited on several holidays, including Good Friday. Additionally, several counties in Kansas do not allow on-premise sales, and others only permit sales if the establishment makes at least 30% of its profits from alcohol.

While there are no federal or state-level restrictions on alcohol consumption or sales on Good Friday in the US, local laws and regulations may vary. It is always a good idea to check the laws in your specific area to ensure compliance.

Buying beer in Sydney on Good Friday

If you're in Sydney and hoping to buy beer on Good Friday, you might be out of luck. In New South Wales, takeaway alcohol sales are not allowed on Good Friday, and licensed venues can only serve alcohol on their premises between midday and 10 pm. This means pubs and bars are generally open, but bottle shops are closed.

However, there is a loophole: venues with a producer licence, such as microbreweries and cellar doors, are able to sell takeaway alcohol. So, if you're desperate, you could stock up on fresh growlers of local brews or craft spirits. Just be aware that you'll likely pay a premium for this privilege.

If you're planning to drink at a venue, be aware that in some cases, you'll need to purchase a meal with your drink. A "meal" is defined as "food that can be eaten with cutlery while seated", such as "roast beef with vegetables, lasagne, a stir-fry or a curry with rice". Light snacks, hot chips, entrees, and kids' meals don't count.

So, if you're hoping to enjoy a beer or two in Sydney on Good Friday, your best bet is to either visit a microbrewery or cellar door or head to a pub or bar that's serving alcohol and be prepared to purchase a meal.

Buying beer in Melbourne on Good Friday

If you're in Melbourne and hoping to buy beer on Good Friday, you're in luck—to an extent. While bottle shops are generally closed, some smaller independent shops may be open. In addition, venues with a producer's license, such as microbreweries, are allowed to sell takeaway alcohol.

If you don't mind drinking your beer at a bar, you can get a drink at most venues, but some may require you to buy a meal with it.

If you want to stock up on beer to drink at home, your best bet is to do so the day before Good Friday.

Blackhearts and Sparrows (Abbotsford, Brunswick, Brunswick East, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, and Richmond)

Good Friday beer and pretzel tradition

Good Friday is a somber day for Christians, but many places allow the sale and consumption of alcohol, including beer, on this day. In some places, alcohol sales are restricted, and in others, alcohol can be purchased freely. In Australia, for example, the rules vary by state. In New South Wales, no takeaway alcohol sales are allowed, and licensed venues can only serve alcohol on their premises between midday and 10 pm. In Queensland, alcohol is only allowed to be served with a meal between 10 am and midnight. In South Australia, however, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday.

In the United States, there is no prohibition from the Catholic Church on drinking alcohol on Good Friday. One group of men in Brooklyn, New York, for example, shares beer and pretzels in the parish hall after the Good Friday liturgy. This tradition is inspired by the monks of the Order of St. Francis of Paola (also known as Paulaner monks), who, in the 1600s, fasted from all solid foods during Lent and sustained themselves by brewing a type of bock beer that was high in carbohydrates and nutrients.

Pretzels themselves also have a long history during Lent. As Christians were forbidden from eating any animal products for the forty days of Lent, pretzels, which are made from water, salt, yeast, and flour, satisfied both the fasting and abstinence rules. The exact origin of the pretzel shape is unknown, but one story claims that an Italian monk in the 600s shaped pretzels to symbolize children's arms crossed in prayer.

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