Oregon's Beer Buying Cut-Off Time Explained

Oregon has a long history of regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, with laws dating back to 1844. Today, the state allows the sale of beer, wine, and liquor for on- or off-premises consumption between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. daily. This means that you can purchase beer in Oregon from 7 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. the next day, 7 days a week. These hours are consistent across the state, and while businesses are not required to remain open during these times, there will likely be at least one retailer open at any given time.

On- and off-premises sales hours

In Oregon, you can buy beer from both on- and off-premises retailers from 7 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. the following day. These hours are consistent across the state, and every day of the week, including Sundays and public holidays. However, many businesses will not fully utilise these hours.

On-premises consumption refers to drinks purchased in restaurants and bars, whereas off-premises sales refer to bottles or cans bought at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores.

For off-premises consumption, beer sales in Oregon can start an hour earlier at 6 a.m.

Oregon has a hard limit on the closing time of bars, which is 2:30 a.m. at the latest. Businesses with off-premises licenses also stop selling alcohol at the same time. However, some businesses may choose to close earlier at their discretion.

Alcohol type

Oregon has a long history of regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, dating back to 1844. The state has a wide range of alcoholic beverages available for purchase, including beer, wine, and liquor. The laws regarding alcohol sales vary based on the type of alcohol, the day of the week, and the business type.

In Oregon, you can purchase alcohol between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. every day, including weekends. This applies to both on-premises consumption, such as in bars and restaurants, and off-premises consumption, such as in grocery and liquor stores. However, it's important to note that businesses are not required to stay open for the full duration of these hours, and many choose to operate with reduced hours.

For on-premises consumption, businesses licensed to serve alcohol are allowed to start serving as early as 7 a.m. every day. This includes bars and restaurants that sell beer, wine, and liquor by the glass. The latest that bars can remain open is 2:30 a.m., and last call will be slightly earlier to allow customers to finish their drinks and arrange for transportation.

For off-premises consumption, the hours for purchasing alcohol vary depending on the retailer. Liquor stores in Oregon, which are state-run, are typically open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. However, some locations may be closed on Sundays. Grocery stores, on the other hand, can sell beer, wine, and cider from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. seven days a week. Gas stations also fall under off-premises consumption and can sell beer, wine, and cider during the same hours as grocery stores, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. daily.

It's worth noting that Oregon has strict guidelines and training in place to ensure that all licensed venues understand how to safely sell and serve alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the state has specific open container laws that prohibit possessing open containers of alcohol in vehicles or on public property, except in certain licensed vehicles like limousines.

Drinking laws

Oregon has a long history of regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, dating back to 1844. The state has an extensive set of laws governing the sale and consumption of alcohol, which are set by the Liquor Control Act and are uniform across the state.

In Oregon, you can buy alcohol from 7 am to 2:30 am any day of the year, both on- and off-premises. This includes beer, wine, and liquor. The state controls liquor sales, and liquor stores have more restrictive hours, operating from 7 am to 10 pm.

Where Can You Buy Alcohol in Oregon?

The places you can buy alcohol in Oregon include:

• Bars and restaurants
• Package and liquor stores
• Breweries and taprooms
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores

Drinking Age in Oregon

The legal drinking age in Oregon is 21 years old, which aligns with federal law. It is illegal for anyone under this age to purchase or possess alcohol in public within the state.

Open Container Laws

Oregon has strict open container laws that prohibit possessing open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle on public highways. This applies to both drivers and passengers and includes parked cars. The only exception is for limousines, where passengers can consume alcohol if separated from the driver.

Legal Alcohol Limit

The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers in Oregon is 0.08%. For commercial drivers, the limit is lower at 0.04%. There is a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21, meaning any detectable amount of alcohol is illegal.

Penalties for Drinking and Driving

Oregon has strict penalties for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), which include fines, license suspension, jail time, and participation in substance abuse treatment programs. The penalties increase for second and subsequent offenses, with a third conviction potentially resulting in felony charges and a lifetime revocation of driving privileges.

Underage Drinking Penalties

Underage drinking in Oregon can result in fines, driver's license suspension, community service, and participation in alcohol education or diversion programs.

Open container laws

Oregon's open container laws apply in two settings: in cars and in public.

In Oregon, it is illegal to have any open alcohol container in the seating area of your vehicle. This law covers passengers as well as drivers and applies to parked cars, not just cars in motion. The only exception is for limousines, where passengers can consume alcohol in the seating area, but it is still illegal to have an open container in the cab area.

The open container law in Oregon prohibits consuming and possessing open containers of alcohol in a vehicle. A person commits an open container violation by:

• Drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is on a highway.
• Possessing an open container in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is on a highway.
• Keeping an open container in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is on a highway.

An open container is defined as any bottle, can, or receptacle containing alcoholic liquor that has been opened, has a broken seal, or has had some of its contents removed.

The prohibition against keeping an open container in a motor vehicle generally applies only to the registered owner of the vehicle. If the registered owner is not present, the prohibition applies to the driver of the vehicle.

There are some exceptions to the open container law in Oregon:

• Open containers can be kept in the trunk of the vehicle, or if the vehicle doesn't have a trunk, in some other area not normally occupied by the driver or passengers.
• Open containers are allowed in the living quarters of a camper or motor home.
• The law doesn't apply to passengers in a motor vehicle operated by a common carrier.

It is also illegal to have an open container of alcohol when on public property like streets, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way. There are exceptions for permitted community events and sidewalk cafes.

Transporting Alcohol Legally

The best way to transport open containers of alcohol in Oregon is to put the container in the trunk of the vehicle. If the vehicle doesn't have a trunk, the container can be kept in another area not normally occupied by the driver or passengers. For example, in a pickup truck, alcohol can be kept in the bed of the truck if it's at least two feet away from the cab's back windows.

Drinking age

The legal drinking age in Oregon is 21 years old. This is in line with federal law, making it illegal for anyone under this age to purchase or possess alcohol in public within the state.

There is one exception to the drinking age rule in Oregon. A parent or legal guardian can provide alcohol to their own child under 21, but only in a private residence and while remaining with them the entire time.

Oregon has a long history of regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol, dating back to 1844. It has been an alcoholic beverage control state since Prohibition, with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) holding a monopoly over the sale of distilled beverages. The OLCC has strict guidelines and training to ensure licensed venues understand how to sell and serve alcohol safely.

Oregon's drinking laws are fairly consistent across the state, as the state sets the alcohol laws. Alcohol can be purchased from 7 am to 2:30 am any day of the year, both on- and off-premises. Bars and restaurants are typically allowed to serve alcohol during the same hours as retail sales, but local regulations and individual business licenses may impose further restrictions.

Frequently asked questions