Boston's Beer Buying Hours: Late-Night Limits

Boston's nightlife is vibrant, with sports bars and tailgating integral to the drinking culture. However, the city has specific laws regulating alcohol sales and consumption. Alcoholic beverages can only be sold between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. While some sources claim that alcohol sales are prohibited after 2:00 a.m., others suggest that certain pubs and restaurants serve alcohol until 1:00 or 1:30 a.m. Additionally, alcohol cannot be purchased at stores after 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Alcohol sales times in Boston

According to mass.gov, alcoholic beverages can be sold or delivered between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, and between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. These times apply to both on-premises sales, such as drinks purchased in restaurants and bars, and off-premises sales, such as bottles bought at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores.

However, individual cities and towns in Massachusetts are allowed to restrict on-premises sales before 11:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. For example, in Boston, most stores are open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays, with some local places staying open until 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.

It is worth noting that alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays in Massachusetts, and some cities and towns may have additional restrictions. Additionally, Massachusetts has approximately 3,000 off-premise spirits licenses, with 1,800 of them belonging to standalone beverage alcohol stores.

Alcohol sales locations in Boston

The legal hours for alcohol sales in Boston, Massachusetts vary depending on the day of the week and the type of business. Here is a detailed overview of the alcohol sales locations and their permitted operating hours:

Grocery/Liquor Stores (Off-Premise Sales):

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
• Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Bars and Restaurants (On-Premise Sales):

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM.
• Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM.

It is important to note that these are the default hours for alcohol sales in Massachusetts, and local laws in Boston may be more restrictive. Additionally, there are specific days with exceptions to these hours:

• Election Day: Alcohol sales are prohibited while polls are open.
• Christmas: When Christmas falls on a Sunday, packaged alcohol sales are not allowed.
• Night Before a Legal Holiday: Alcohol sales may continue until 11:30 PM.

Furthermore, there are some unique aspects of alcohol sales in Boston and Massachusetts worth noting:

• No Happy Hours: Massachusetts banned happy hour promotions in 1984.
• No Group Refills: In bars, one person can't order more than two drinks at once.
• Pitcher Restriction: You need a group of at least three people to order a pitcher of beer.
• Online Orders: It is now legal to order alcohol online for delivery in Massachusetts.
• ID Requirements: Only specific forms of ID are accepted for purchasing alcohol, which may include MA state IDs, US passports, and military IDs.

Alcohol sales on Sundays in Boston

According to Massachusetts state law, alcoholic beverages can be sold between 8 am and 12:30 am from Monday to Saturday, and between 10 am and 12:30 am on Sundays. However, individual cities and towns are permitted to implement their own additional restrictions on top of state law. For example, eight towns in Massachusetts remain completely dry, meaning no alcohol can be sold at all, and in many more, alcohol can only be sold when accompanied by a meal, meaning there are no bars or liquor stores.

Alcohol sales tax in Massachusetts

In the state of Massachusetts, alcoholic beverages can be sold between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, and between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. There are also a few holidays when alcohol cannot be sold or purchased.

Regarding alcohol taxes, Massachusetts has seen some changes in recent years. In 2009, the state implemented an increase in sales tax from 5% to 6.25%, which included an excise tax on alcohol. However, this was met with opposition from the alcohol industry, and the voters rejected the new tax, leading to its abolishment in 2011. Currently, there is no sales tax on alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts, but there is an excise tax. The state has also seen efforts to increase the alcohol excise tax to address the costs associated with alcohol-related issues. According to a 2023 report, drinking caused nearly 5% of all deaths in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2019, resulting in $2.26 billion in state spending in 2010. While some legislators and public health experts support raising the excise tax to reduce alcohol consumption and fund state spending, others argue that it may negatively impact local businesses and face opposition from residents.

Alcohol sales to tourists in Boston

Alcohol sales in Boston are governed by Massachusetts state law, which permits the sale of alcoholic beverages between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, and between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. These hours apply to both on-premises sales, such as in restaurants and bars, and off-premises sales, including grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores.

The laws regarding alcohol sales vary across the United States, and even within Massachusetts, there are some local exceptions. For example, individual cities and towns in Massachusetts are allowed to restrict on-premises sales before 11:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. Additionally, there are a few holidays when alcohol cannot be sold or purchased in the state.

Tourists in Boston can purchase alcohol from a variety of retailers, including liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. However, hard liquor is not sold in grocery stores. Alcohol can also be purchased at bars and restaurants, with last call typically between 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.

It is important to note that the laws regarding alcohol sales can change, and some sources indicate that it is no longer possible to purchase alcohol after 2:00 a.m. in Boston. Additionally, some restaurants in Chinatown may serve beer disguised as "cold tea" after regular sales hours, but this is done discreetly and at the discretion of the restaurant staff.

To ensure compliance with local laws, it is always a good idea to check the websites of the relevant local or state liquor authorities for the most up-to-date information.

Frequently asked questions