If you're planning a night out in Maine, it's good to know the laws around buying alcohol. In Maine, you can buy beer, wine, and liquor from grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and brewpubs. Alcohol is sold from 5 am to 1 am every day, including Sundays, with a 15-minute wind-down period until 1:15 am. On New Year's Day, you can buy alcohol until 2 am and consume it on-premises until 2:15 am. So, if you're looking to buy a drink in Maine, make sure you get to the store before 1 am!
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Hours for sale of liquor | 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day |
Hours for sale of liquor on New Year's Day | 12 midnight to 2 a.m. |
Hours for sale of liquor on St. Patrick's Day (if falling on a Sunday) | 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. |
Last call in bars and restaurants | 1:15 a.m. |
Minimum drinking age | 21 |
Minor drinking with parental approval | Allowed at home and in private residences |
Minor drinking without parental approval | Not allowed |
Minor transporting liquor | Allowed only due to employment or at the request of a parent/guardian/custodian |
Open container law | Any opened container must be transported in the trunk or away from the driver's and passengers' reach |
Legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for drunk driving | 0.08% |
Legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for drivers under 21 | 0% |
Penalty for drunk driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and older | License suspension for at least 180 days and a fine of at least $500 |
Penalty for drunk driving with a BAC above 0% for drivers under 21 | License suspension for 1 year, additional 180 days if a passenger below 21 was in the vehicle |
What You'll Learn
Alcohol can be sold from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m
The Maine Department of Public Safety, through the Maine State Police's Liquor and Licensing Division, is responsible for licensing the manufacture, importation, storage, transportation, and sale of all liquor. The serving of alcohol in the state is supervised by the State Liquor and Lottery Commission, which consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Maine and confirmed by the Maine Legislature.
The hours for alcohol sales are the same for all alcohol retailers, including grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and brewpubs. On New Year's Day, alcohol may be sold until 2 a.m. and may be consumed in licensed establishments until 1:15 a.m., or 2:15 a.m. if consumed on the premises of a licensed hotel.
Licensed retailers can sell alcohol from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. in Maine. This includes grocery stores, restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, brewpubs, and taprooms. Alcohol can be ordered to go with food, as long as it is in its original packaging or sealed by staff.
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Alcohol can be consumed until 1:15 a.m
Alcohol can be consumed in licensed establishments in Maine until 1:15 a.m. This is a statewide law, but there are exceptions. For example, on New Year's Day, alcohol can be consumed until 2:15 a.m.
The Maine State Liquor and Lottery Commission supervises the serving of alcohol in the state. The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor of Maine and confirmed by the Maine Legislature. They meet monthly to provide public oversight and review of the performance and operational activities of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO).
BABLO is responsible for regulating the business practices of the alcohol industry, creating a favourable economic climate for the industry, and prohibiting sales to minors. Alcohol retailers can sell alcohol from 5 a.m. until 1 a.m. every day, including Sundays.
Maine is not a dry state, but it does have some dry and partially dry towns. These towns have placed some restrictions on alcohol or banned it altogether. However, the majority of Maine allows the sale and consumption of alcohol, with bars and restaurants serving alcohol until 1:15 a.m.
It is important to note that Maine has an open container law, which means that any opened container with alcohol must be transported in the car's trunk or out of the driver's and passengers' reach. Additionally, the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for drunk driving in Maine is 0.08%.
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Alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays
Maine has what is known as a three-tier system for alcohol sales. The "middle tier" consists of wholesalers and importers, who receive beverage products from suppliers and manufacturers. They then sell the beverages to distributors, who supply retailers, who ultimately sell to consumers.
Maine is also an alcoholic beverage control state, which means the state manages the wholesale of spirits. The serving of alcohol in the state is supervised by the State Liquor and Lottery Commission, which provides public oversight and reviews the performance and operational activities of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO).
BABLO is responsible for regulating the business practices of the alcohol industry, creating a favourable economic climate for the industry, and prohibiting sales to minors. They also have a monopoly on the warehousing and distribution of distilled spirits and fortified wines.
While alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays in Maine, there are some restrictions on where alcohol can be sold. Establishments selling liquor cannot be within 300 feet of an existing school or church unless a public hearing is held near the proposed location or the establishment is in a downtown area.
Additionally, Maine allows its localities to decide whether they will allow alcohol sales. While there are no dry counties in the state, there are 40 dry and partially dry towns. These towns have voted to prohibit or place restrictions on alcohol sales, and some outlaw Sunday sales.
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Minors can drink at home with parental consent
In Maine, the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years old. However, minors are allowed to consume alcohol in private residences with their parents' or guardians' approval. This is in line with the laws of most other states, which allow underage consumption of alcohol under certain circumstances, such as parental consent, religious or medical purposes, or educational contexts.
While Maine law permits minors to drink with parental consent in private homes, it is important to note that there are still legal and safety implications to consider. Firstly, it is illegal for minors to purchase alcohol themselves. Additionally, parents or guardians who provide alcohol to minors face legal consequences if someone gets hurt or dies as a result of alcohol consumption. They can also be sued if minors drink in their homes, and their home insurance may not cover serious injuries. Therefore, while parental consent in private residences is allowed, it is crucial for parents and guardians to make informed decisions and prioritize the safety and well-being of minors.
In Maine, the hours for alcohol sales are from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, including Sundays. The state has specific regulations regarding alcohol sales and consumption, with establishments licensed for on-premises consumption required to stop serving alcohol at 1 a.m. and ensure no consumption past 1:15 a.m. These regulations are overseen by the State Liquor and Lottery Commission, which works in conjunction with the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO) to enforce these laws.
While Maine allows minors to drink with parental consent in private residences, it is essential to prioritize responsible drinking and adhere to the state's alcohol regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
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Open containers must be in the trunk of a car
Maine has a set of laws that regulate the sale and possession of alcohol within the state. Alcohol can be purchased from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, including Sundays, from various retailers, including grocery stores, bars, and restaurants.
When it comes to transporting alcohol, Maine has an open container law, which means that any open container with alcohol must be placed in the trunk of a car or out of the driver's and passengers' reach. This law is designed to prevent drinking and driving, and there are severe penalties for those who operate a vehicle while under the influence.
The open container law in Maine states that open containers of alcohol must be kept in the trunk of a car or behind the rearmost upright seat, away from the driver and passengers. This law applies to all vehicles on public roads, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The law is in place to ensure the safety of everyone on the road and to reduce the risk of accidents caused by impaired driving.
There are a few exceptions to the open container law in Maine. Passengers in a motor home's living area, a commercial transport vehicle, or a licensed caterer's vehicle are allowed to possess open containers. Additionally, open containers are permitted in vehicles for hire, such as limousines or party buses, as long as the driver is not consuming alcohol.
It's important to note that drinking alcohol while driving is strictly prohibited in Maine. The state has strict laws against drinking and driving, and drivers can be charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) even with a small amount of alcohol in their system. The legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for driving in Maine is .08%, and drivers under 21 years old must have a BAC of 0%.
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Frequently asked questions
Licensed retailers can sell alcohol in Maine from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. On New Year's Day, alcohol may be sold until 2 a.m.
Yes, alcohol is sold from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day of the week.
Alcohol can be purchased at bars and restaurants from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Last call in Maine bars and restaurants is 1:15 a.m.
Gas stations in Maine can sell alcohol from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day of the week.