New Orleans' Early Beer Buying Hours Explained

New Orleans is known for its lax drinking laws, including the absence of open-container laws and the availability of drive-thru daiquiris. The city's bars, particularly those in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street, are renowned for their extended hours, with many remaining open 24 hours a day. In April 2021, the city extended the hours for alcohol sales, allowing bars and restaurants to serve and sell alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. While the legal drinking age is 21, 18-year-olds can still enter many bars in New Orleans, as long as they do not consume or purchase alcohol.

Alcohol laws in New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its lax drinking laws, which can be misleading to visitors. While the city's bars do not have a mandated closing time, and many are open 24 hours, the legal drinking age is still 21. Minors will not be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol on the premises, and many bars will require minors to wear armbands or stamps to indicate they are underage.

There is no open-container law in New Orleans, meaning people can drink in public without penalty. However, it is illegal to have an open glass container of alcohol outside. Drinks must be in a can or plastic cup, which most bars provide.

In April 2021, the City of New Orleans extended the hours for the sale of alcohol as part of the modified Phase Three guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on April 9, 2021, alcohol could be served and sold between the hours of 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. in the entertainment district, which includes the French Quarter and Central Business District.

Louisiana alcohol laws allow adults (those aged 18 or older) to sell or serve alcohol in venues for drinking on-site or to be bartenders. There are no state age laws for working in stores that sell alcohol to drink off-site, but a supervisor aged 21 or older must be present.

In Louisiana, it is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 21, and doing so with a false ID is a crime that may lead to a driver's license suspension. It is also illegal for those under 21 to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.02%. The penalty for selling alcohol to anyone under 21, even by accident, is high, with a fine of between $500 and $1,000 and/or jail time.

Louisiana alcohol laws also prohibit operating a vessel, including water skis and surfboards, while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. The penalty for this is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or jail time.

Drinking in public

In New Orleans, there are no open-container laws, meaning that, in general, drinking in public is allowed. However, there are some important exceptions and limitations to be aware of. Firstly, it is illegal to have an open glass container of alcohol outside. Therefore, if you are drinking in public, make sure your beverage is in a can or a plastic cup. Most bars in the city provide plastic cups for this purpose.

Secondly, while drinking in public is permitted, it is illegal to be drunk in public. You could be arrested for public drunkenness or disturbing the peace if you are too intoxicated and are disturbing others or endangering yourself or others. It is important to always drink responsibly and be mindful of those around you.

Additionally, it is worth noting that drinking and driving is illegal in Louisiana, as it is everywhere else in the US. Specifically, in New Orleans, it is unlawful for the operator or passenger of a motor vehicle to possess an open alcoholic beverage container or consume alcohol while the vehicle is in operation on a public highway or right-of-way. So, while you can purchase a drink from a drive-thru, you must wait until you reach your destination to consume it.

Finally, the laws regarding drinking in public may vary depending on the specific area within New Orleans. For example, one source mentions that drinking in public is only officially legal in the French Quarter, while others claim that it is allowed city-wide. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations for the specific area you are visiting to avoid any legal issues.

Drinking age in New Orleans

The drinking age in New Orleans, Louisiana, is 21. This means that anyone under 21 cannot purchase or consume alcohol on any premises. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, in some restaurants and bars, people under 21 are allowed to drink if their parents or legal guardians over the age of 21 purchase the alcohol for them. This is because, in Louisiana, parents or guardians over the age of 21 can purchase and serve alcohol to their children or wards, regardless of their age.

It is important to note that this exception is not a legal requirement and that the final decision lies with the owners of the establishment. Some bars and restaurants may choose to only allow people who are 21 and older to enter and consume alcohol on their premises. Additionally, some forms of identification, such as an armband or stamp, may be required for minors to indicate that they are underage.

In New Orleans, there are also no open-container laws, meaning people can drink in public and outdoors without penalty. However, it is illegal to have an open glass container of alcohol outside. People are advised to use plastic cups or cans for their drinks when outdoors.

Buying beer in New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its lax drinking laws, and there are a few things to know about buying beer in the city. Firstly, the legal drinking age in the US is 21, and minors will not be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol. Many bars may require minors to wear armbands or stamps to indicate they are underage.

In New Orleans, there are bars that are open 24 hours a day, particularly in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street. Many other bars close only for a few hours in the early morning but are open for 20 or more hours overall. In addition to bars, many gas stations and convenience stores are also open 24 hours and sell alcohol.

In April 2021, the City of New Orleans extended the hours for the sale of alcohol in bars, restaurants, and other venues from 11 pm to 1 am, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This applied to the entertainment district, including the French Quarter and Central Business District.

It is also legal to drink in public in New Orleans, and there is no open-container law, meaning people can drink outdoors without penalty. However, it is illegal to have an open glass container of alcohol outside. If you are drinking outside, your beverage must be in a can or a plastic cup.

Finally, it is illegal to drink alcohol in your car, although you can buy a drink from a drive-through and consume it once you have reached your destination.

Alcohol sales hours in New Orleans

Prior to this change, the cut-off time for alcohol sales in New Orleans was 11 p.m. Notably, some bars in the city, particularly those in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street, operate 24 hours a day. Additionally, many gas stations and convenience stores in New Orleans are open 24 hours and sell alcohol.

It's worth noting that while the legal drinking age in New Orleans is 21, some bars allow 18-year-olds to enter, although minors will not be served alcohol and may be required to wear armbands or stamps indicating their underage status.

In terms of alcohol sales hours in the wider state of Louisiana, it's important to note that these are set by local jurisdictions. For example, in Shreveport, bars stop selling alcohol at 6 a.m. downtown and 4 a.m. elsewhere, while in Cameron Parish and the metro areas of New Orleans and Lake Charles, bars are open 24 hours. However, those within the city limits of Lake Charles must remain closed on Sundays.

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