If you're looking to buy beer in Washington, DC, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in the US, and this includes DC. The legal drinking age in DC was raised from 18 to 21 in 1984. Secondly, the hours during which you can buy beer vary depending on the day of the week and the type of retailer. On-premise retailers, such as bars and restaurants, can sell alcohol between 6 am and 2 am from Monday to Friday, and from 6 am to 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Off-premise retailers, such as grocery and liquor stores, can sell alcohol from 6 am to 1 am every day. Additionally, DC allows alcohol delivery and the sale of growlers.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Minimum age to purchase and consume alcohol | 21 |
Hours for on-premise retailers to sell alcohol | Monday to Friday: 6 am to 2 am; Saturday to Sunday: 6 am to 3 am |
Hours for off-premise retailers to sell alcohol | 6 am to 1 am every day |
Hours for bars and restaurants to sell alcohol | Monday to Thursday: 8 am to 2 am; Friday to Saturday: 8 am to 3 am; Sunday: 10 am to 2 am |
Hours for grocery and liquor stores to sell alcohol | 9 am to 10 pm every day |
Hours for alcohol beverage producers to sell alcohol | 7 am to midnight every day |
Hours for breweries and distilleries to offer tastings | 1 pm to 9 pm every day |
Age to be employed in a job serving alcohol | 18 |
Limit for drivers under 21 | 0% BAC |
Limit for drivers 21 and older | 0.08% BAC |
Penalty for driving under the influence | Fine ranging from $300 to $10,000, 5 days to 3 months in jail, 12 points added to the driving record, and license suspension for up to 6 months |
Penalty for carrying an open container in public | Fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail |
What You'll Learn
- Beer can be bought from on-premise retailers between 6 am and 2 am, Monday to Friday
- On Saturdays and Sundays, beer can be bought from on-premise retailers between 6 am and 3 am
- Off-premise retailers can sell beer between 6 am and 1 am every day
- Alcohol can be delivered between 6 am and midnight
- You must be 21 to buy beer in DC
Beer can be bought from on-premise retailers between 6 am and 2 am, Monday to Friday
Beer can be purchased in Washington, DC, at various retailers, including bars and restaurants, grocery and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. The District of Columbia, despite not being a state, has its own set of alcohol regulations.
When it comes to buying beer, the options are on-premise and off-premise retailers. On-premise retailers refer to places where you can drink on the premises, such as bars and restaurants. Off-premise retailers include grocery and liquor stores, where you can purchase beer for off-site consumption.
Off-premise retailers have different hours for selling beer. They are permitted to sell beer from 6 am until 1 am every day of the week. This means that if you're looking to stock up for a weekend barbecue or a quiet night in, you can do so from early in the morning until late at night.
It's worth noting that DC's alcohol laws are more relaxed than in many states. There are no "blue laws" restricting Sunday sales, and alcohol can be purchased seven days a week. Additionally, DC allows alcohol delivery and the sale of growlers, providing even more convenience for beer enthusiasts.
However, it is important to remember that while DC offers a wide range of options for purchasing beer, drinking laws should be followed. The minimum drinking age in DC is 21, and it is illegal for those under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol.
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On Saturdays and Sundays, beer can be bought from on-premise retailers between 6 am and 3 am
In Washington, DC, the sale of alcohol is permitted seven days a week, with no restrictions on Sunday. This means that on Saturdays and Sundays, beer can be purchased from on-premise retailers between 6 am and 3 am. On-premise retailers include bars and restaurants, as well as breweries and taprooms.
On-premise retailers in DC can sell alcohol between the hours of 6 am and 2 am, Monday to Friday, and from 6 am to 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays. These hours are extended for certain holidays, including Independence Day, Martin Luther King Day, and New Year's Day.
Bars and restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol between 8 am and 2 am, Sunday to Thursday, and from 8 am to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. On the eve of a federal holiday, alcohol can be served until 4 am.
Off-premise retailers, such as grocery and liquor stores, can sell alcohol from 6 am to 1 am every day. This includes beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol can also be purchased directly from breweries and distilleries for on- and off-premise consumption from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week. Off-premise purchases must be in sealed containers.
It is important to note that while DC laws allow for the purchase and consumption of alcohol, there are strict regulations surrounding drinking age, open containers, and driving under the influence. The minimum drinking age in DC is 21, and it is illegal for those under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol. Open containers of alcohol are prohibited in public places that are not part of licensed establishments, and driving under the influence carries penalties such as fines, license suspension, and jail time.
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Off-premise retailers can sell beer between 6 am and 1 am every day
In Washington, D.C., off-premise retailers can sell beer and other alcoholic beverages from 6 am until 1 am every day. This includes grocery and liquor stores, as well as breweries and taprooms. Off-premise retailers are any places where you can purchase alcohol to drink elsewhere.
The daily 6 am to 1 am window for off-premise sales is more relaxed than in some states. D.C. is not a state, but it has its own beer laws. One notable aspect of D.C.'s liquor laws is that bars and restaurants can buy alcoholic beverages directly from breweries and distilleries, rather than having to go through a wholesaler. This means that craft beer lovers will find a wide variety of local beers in stores, restaurants, and bars.
In addition to off-premise retailers, there are also on-premise retailers, which are places where you can purchase alcohol to drink on-site. On-premise retailers in D.C. can sell alcohol between 6 am and 2 am from Monday to Friday, and from 6 am to 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays. On certain holidays, such as Independence Day, Martin Luther King Day, and New Year's Day, on-premise retailers can open for extended hours.
It's worth noting that while D.C. doesn't have many restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales, there are still some important regulations to keep in mind. For example, it is illegal for those under 21 to drink, buy, or possess alcohol in public. It is also illegal to have an open container of alcohol in public unless you are in an ABRA-licensed establishment.
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Alcohol can be delivered between 6 am and midnight
In Washington, DC, alcohol can be delivered between 6 am and midnight. This is a helpful fact to know if you're planning a party or just want to stock up for the weekend. There are a few things to keep in mind about alcohol delivery in DC. Firstly, alcohol delivery is only permitted to residences located within DC. Additionally, the customer must be able to provide proof of age upon delivery, as the minimum age to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in DC is 21. It is also important to note that alcohol deliveries from restaurants, bars, and similar retailers must include food.
While the specific laws around alcohol delivery are important to follow, it is also crucial to be aware of the broader alcohol laws in DC. For example, it is illegal to carry open containers of alcoholic beverages in any public place that is not part of a licensed establishment. Violating this law can result in a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail.
In terms of purchasing alcohol in DC, the district has some unique loopholes compared to other states. For instance, bars and restaurants in DC can buy alcoholic beverages directly from breweries and distilleries, rather than having to go through a wholesaler. This means that craft beer lovers will find a wide variety of local beers available at stores, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, DC doesn't have the same Sunday "blue laws" as many other states, so there are virtually no restrictions on purchasing alcohol on Sundays.
When it comes to the actual hours of sale, they vary depending on the type of retailer and the day of the week. Off-premise retailers, such as grocery and liquor stores, can sell alcohol from 6 am to 1 am every day. On-premise retailers, which include bars and restaurants, can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am, Monday through Friday, and from 6 am to 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Licensed businesses are permitted to serve alcohol starting at 8 am on weekdays and until 4 am on New Year's Eve.
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You must be 21 to buy beer in DC
If you're planning to buy beer in Washington, DC, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, and most importantly, you must be 21 or over to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage in the District of Columbia. This is the same minimum drinking age across all 50 states in the US. It is illegal for those under 21 to drink alcohol in DC, and there are no exceptions, not even for religious reasons. So, if you're looking to buy beer, make sure you're of legal age.
In DC, you can buy beer from a variety of places, including bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. Each type of retailer has specific rules they must follow regarding the sale of alcohol. For example, bars and restaurants can sell beer, wine, and liquor from 6 am until 2 am, Monday through Friday, and from 6 am until 3 am on Saturdays and Sundays. On-premise retailers, such as bars and restaurants, can serve alcohol between 8 am and 2 am, Sunday through Thursday, and from 8 am to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Off-premise retailers, such as grocery and liquor stores, can sell alcohol between 6 am and 1 am every day.
It's worth noting that DC does not have any "blue laws", which are religious-motivated restrictions on alcohol sales on Sundays. This means you can buy beer in DC any day of the week. Additionally, alcohol producers, such as breweries and distilleries, can sell their products directly to bars and restaurants, bypassing wholesalers. This results in a wide variety of local beers available at bars, restaurants, and stores.
When purchasing alcohol in DC, you may be asked to show a valid ID to prove your age. It is illegal to use a false ID to buy or attempt to buy alcohol, and violators may face fines and license suspension. So, make sure you have a valid ID with you if you're planning to buy beer in DC.
Lastly, while DC's liquor laws are relatively relaxed compared to some states, there are still some important restrictions to keep in mind. For example, it is illegal to carry open containers of alcoholic beverages in any public place that is not part of a licensed establishment. Violators may face a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail. So, if you're drinking beer in public, make sure it's in a licensed establishment.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholic beverages can be purchased from 6 am or 7 am until 1 am or midnight, seven days a week.
Beer can be purchased from bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms.
You must be 21 or older to purchase beer in DC. A valid ID is required to prove your age.
Yes, there are no restrictions on buying beer on Sundays in DC.