Jason Wagner
Alcohol laws vary across the United States, and Massachusetts is no exception. The state has the power to set its own beer laws, which can be confusing for visitors and new residents. So, how late can you buy beer on a Sunday in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has strict alcohol laws, and historically, there were no alcohol sales on Sundays. While this has been relaxed, there are still restrictions in place. Beer can be purchased from liquor stores between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Sundays, and bars and restaurants can sell alcohol between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. In some locations, on-premise retailers can extend their Sunday hours until 2 a.m.
It's important to note that there are also hour restrictions on specific days. For example, there are no off-premise alcohol sales while the polls are open on election days, and on Memorial Day, there are no alcohol sales before 12 p.m. Additionally, all off-premise sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
What You'll Learn
Beer can be bought from 10 am to midnight on Sundays
On-premise retailers like bars and restaurants can sell beer between 8 am and 2 am Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sundays. Some locations allow on-premise retailers to extend their Sunday hours until 2 am. Off-premise retailers, such as liquor stores, can sell beer between 8 am and 11 pm Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays.
Massachusetts has specific laws regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages, including separate legal sale hours on Sundays. The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission regulates when alcoholic beverage retailers may be open, and their phone number can be found on the official Mass.gov website.
It's important to note that there are also dry towns in Massachusetts that prohibit the sale of alcohol. These include Alford, Chilmark, Dunstable, Gosnold, Hawley, Mount Washington, Needham, and Westhampton.
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Bars and restaurants can sell beer until 2 am on other days
Massachusetts has specific laws that govern the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages. While the state allows the sale of beer every day of the week, the hours during which beer can be sold vary depending on the day and the type of establishment.
On Sundays, bars and restaurants can sell beer from 10 am to 12 am. However, these on-premise retailers can extend their Sunday hours until 2 am in some locations. This means that in certain areas, bars and restaurants can sell beer until 2 am on Sundays, just like on other days of the week.
The Massachusetts Blue Laws control the hours of operation for certain businesses, including those that sell alcoholic beverages. These laws are enforced by the Attorney General's Office, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) regulates the hours during which alcoholic beverage retailers can operate.
On Mondays through Saturdays, bars and restaurants can sell beer between 8 am and 2 am. Off-premise retailers, such as liquor stores, can sell beer during the same hours on these days. Grocery and convenience stores are also allowed to sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm on Mondays through Saturdays.
It is important to note that there are additional restrictions on alcohol sales on certain days. For example, there are no alcohol sales before noon on Sundays, and no off-premise alcohol sales while the polls are open on election days. Additionally, there are no alcohol sales before 12 pm on Memorial Day, and all off-premise sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Massachusetts has a vibrant and diverse beverage alcohol landscape, with a strong sports culture that contributes to its drinking traditions. The state has approximately 3,000 off-premise spirits licenses, with 1,800 of them belonging to standalone beverage alcohol stores. While the laws governing alcohol sales can be complex, they are in place to ensure safe and responsible consumption.
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Off-premise retailers can sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm
Off-premise retailers in Massachusetts can sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. This includes grocery and convenience stores, as well as package and liquor stores. These retailers sell alcohol for consumption off the premises.
On Sundays, off-premise retailers can sell beer from 10 am to 11 pm. No alcohol sales can begin before 10 am or noon on Sundays, depending on the source.
Massachusetts has specific laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which are controlled by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. These laws can be confusing and are subject to change over time. The state has approximately 3,000 off-premise spirits licenses, with 1,800 belonging to standalone beverage alcohol stores.
There are also certain holidays when alcohol cannot be sold or purchased, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. On Memorial Day, there are no alcohol sales before 12 pm. On election days, there are no off-premise alcohol sales while the polls are open.
Additionally, there are eight dry towns in Massachusetts that place strong limitations on the purchase of alcohol. These include Alford, Chilmark, Dunstable, Gosnold, Hawley, Mount Washington, Needham, and Westhampton.
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On-premise retailers can sell beer from 8 am to 2 am
On-premise retailers in Massachusetts can sell beer from 8 am to 2 am, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, on-premise retailers can sell beer from 10 am to 12 am, or until 2 am in some locations.
On-premise retailers include restaurants and bars, which sell alcohol for immediate consumption. The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) regulates the hours of operation for alcoholic beverage retailers in the state.
The state's alcohol laws also distinguish between on-premise and off-premise retailers. Off-premise retailers, such as liquor stores, sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. Off-premise retailers can sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays.
Massachusetts has specific laws regarding the sale of alcohol that are important to follow to avoid fines or legal consequences. For example, it is illegal to sell alcohol on election days while the polls are open, and happy hours are prohibited in the state. Additionally, there are dry townships in Massachusetts that prohibit the sale of alcohol entirely.
It's worth noting that the laws surrounding alcohol sales and consumption can be complex and may change over time, so it's always a good idea to stay informed about the most up-to-date regulations.
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Alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays
In Massachusetts, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on certain holidays. These include Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, where all off-premise sales are banned. On Thanksgiving, on-premise sales are allowed, but not on Christmas. Additionally, on election days, there are no off-premise alcohol sales while the polls are open.
The Massachusetts Blue Laws control the hours of operation for certain businesses, including those selling alcohol, and mandate that some businesses abide by voluntariness of employment provisions on Sundays and specific legal holidays. These laws are enforced by the Attorney General's Office, while the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission regulates the hours of operation for alcoholic beverage retailers.
The Blue Laws also outline specific restrictions for different types of retailers. For instance, on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, no licensee under Section 15 shall sell or deliver alcoholic beverages, and no licensee under Section 18 or 19 shall sell or deliver alcoholic beverages before 12:00 noon. However, licensees under Sections 19B, 19C, and 19E may sell wine, malt beverages, and distilled products, respectively, at retail by the bottle for off-premises consumption on Sundays and legal holidays.
Furthermore, in Suffolk County, licensees under Section 12 are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages on Christmas Day and the last Monday in May between 2:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. These laws ensure that alcohol sales are restricted on certain holidays and that businesses adhere to specific regulations on Sundays and legal holidays in Massachusetts.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer can be bought from liquor stores between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Sundays. Bars and restaurants can sell beer between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m.
No, there are specific timings for buying beer in Massachusetts. From Monday to Saturday, beer can be purchased from off-premise retailers between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. and from on-premise retailers between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m.
Yes, beer and other alcoholic drinks cannot be purchased on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. On Memorial Day, alcohol sales are prohibited before 12 p.m.
Yes, there are eight dry towns in Massachusetts that place strong limitations on the purchase of alcohol. These include Alford, Chilmark, Dunstable, Gosnold, Hawley, Mount Washington, Needham, and Westhampton.
The minimum drinking age in Massachusetts is 21.
