When Can I Legally Buy Beer In Buffalo?

If you're planning on buying beer in Buffalo, New York, it's important to be aware of the local alcohol laws. While the specific regulations may vary depending on the type of establishment and the day of the week, knowing the basics will ensure you don't run into any issues. In New York, the sale of alcohol is governed by the Alcohol Beverage Control Law (“ABCL”), which sets the outer limits for establishments selling alcoholic beverages. However, counties and local municipalities also have the authority to adjust these hours to accommodate their specific needs. With that in mind, what time can you start buying beer in Buffalo, and how does this fit within the wider context of New York's alcohol laws?

Beer can be purchased from bars and restaurants in Buffalo, NY, from 8 am to 4 am Monday to Saturday

If you're looking to purchase beer in Buffalo, NY, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the hours for buying beer can vary depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment you're purchasing from. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the beer-buying hours in Buffalo, NY:

Buying Beer from Bars and Restaurants in Buffalo, NY:

Sunday Hours for Bars and Restaurants:

On Sundays, the hours for purchasing beer from bars and restaurants in Buffalo, NY, are adjusted slightly. Beer sales are permitted from 10 am to 4 am. This change provides a later start to the day while still offering ample time to enjoy a beer during the day or in the evening.

Grocery and Convenience Stores:

When it comes to grocery and convenience stores in Buffalo, NY, the hours for purchasing beer may differ. While some counties in New York allow 24-hour beer sales in these stores, it's important to check the specific regulations for Erie County, where Buffalo is located. Generally, beer sales in grocery and convenience stores align with the hours of the stores themselves, which may vary.

Liquor and Wine Stores:

For liquor and wine stores in Buffalo, NY, the hours for purchasing beer are typically from 8 am to 12 am (midnight) on weekdays. On Sundays, these stores are permitted to sell beer from 10 am to 10 pm. It's worth noting that liquor and wine stores are not authorised to sell alcohol on Christmas Day.

County-Specific Regulations:

It's important to remember that while these are the general guidelines for Buffalo, NY, specific counties in New York can adjust closing hours. For example, some counties have earlier "last call" times, such as 3 am in Binghamton, 2 am in Syracuse, Plattsburgh, Oneonta, Rochester, and Watertown, and even earlier in other cities. Always be mindful of the local regulations and closing hours in your specific county.

In summary, Buffalo, NY, offers a wide range of options for purchasing beer, with bars and restaurants providing extended hours from 8 am to 4 am on weekdays. Sundays have a later start, with beer sales beginning at 10 am. Liquor and wine stores have similar hours, while grocery and convenience stores may offer additional flexibility with potential 24-hour sales in certain counties. Remember to stay informed about county-specific regulations to ensure a smooth beer-buying experience in Buffalo, NY.

On Sundays, beer sales in bars and restaurants begin at 10 am

In Buffalo, New York, beer sales in bars and restaurants can begin at 10 am on Sundays. This is a recent change, as previously, beer sales were prohibited from 3 am to 10 am on Sundays. The new law allows beer sales to start two hours earlier, bringing Sunday sales rules in line with those for weekdays.

This change is part of Governor Kathy Hochul's push to modernise New York's alcoholic beverage laws. The law now allows beer, mead, braggot, and cider to be sold any day of the week, including Sundays. Other changes include extending brewer's licenses from one to three years, allowing businesses to prepare and keep alcoholic drinks in pressurised dispensing machines, and permitting retail stores to sell promotional items related to wine and spirit sales.

While the new law applies to beer sales in bars and restaurants, there are still some restrictions on beer sales in grocery and convenience stores. In Erie County, which includes Buffalo, beer may be sold for off-premises consumption during normal business hours on weekdays. On Sundays, beer sales in grocery and convenience stores are permitted from 10 am to 10 pm.

It's important to note that individual counties in New York can adjust these hours to suit their specific needs. For example, while the state law sets 10 am as the start time for beer sales on Sundays, counties can move this forward or backward by up to two hours, resulting in different start times for beer sales across the state.

So, if you're in Buffalo, New York, and looking to buy beer on a Sunday, you can start your search at 10 am in bars and restaurants, but for off-premises consumption, you'll need to wait until the same time at grocery and convenience stores.

Beer can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores 24 hours a day in Buffalo, NY

If you're in Buffalo, NY, and craving a beer, you can purchase it from grocery and convenience stores 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that whether it's a weekday, Sunday, or even Christmas Day, you can grab a beer from these stores at any time.

This is a convenient option, especially if you're planning a gathering or running low on beer supplies. You can simply head to the nearest grocery or convenience store in Buffalo and stock up on your favourite brews without worrying about time restrictions.

However, it's important to note that these 24-hour sales are specific to beer only. Different regulations apply to the sale of liquor and wine in New York. For example, liquor and wine stores have specific hours during which they can sell these beverages for off-premises consumption. On weekdays, they can operate from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight), and on Sundays, their hours are typically from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Additionally, if you're looking to enjoy a beer at a bar, tavern, or restaurant, the hours may vary slightly. In Erie County, which includes Buffalo, alcohol may be sold for on-premises consumption from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Sundays.

So, while you can always grab a beer from a grocery or convenience store in Buffalo, the hours for purchasing alcohol from other types of establishments may differ, and it's essential to be mindful of these variations.

Liquor and wine stores in Buffalo, NY, can sell beer from 8 am to 12 am on weekdays

If you're looking to buy beer in Buffalo, NY, the good news is that it's available most hours of the day. The specific timings, however, depend on the type of store and whether it's a weekday, Sunday, or Christmas Day.

On Sundays, the hours for purchasing beer from liquor and wine stores are more limited. In Buffalo, NY, and across New York State, these stores can sell beer from 10 am to 10 pm on Sundays. This change in Sunday hours is part of Governor Kathy Hochul's efforts to modernize New York's alcoholic beverage laws.

It's worth noting that some liquor and wine stores may choose to operate within shorter hours, so the availability of beer may vary depending on the specific store's local regulations and choices.

Additionally, grocery and convenience stores have different hours for beer sales. In some counties, like Rensselaer, Schenectady, Greene, Montgomery, and Albany, these stores offer 24-hour beer sales on weekdays. On Sundays, their hours may vary, typically starting at 8 am and closing no later than 3 am.

For on-premises consumption, bars and taverns in Buffalo, NY, and across Erie County, can sell alcohol from 8 am to 4 am on weekdays and 10 am to 4 am on Sundays.

So, whether you're stocking up for a party or grabbing a drink with friends, it's good to plan according to the type of store and day of the week to ensure you can purchase beer at your preferred time in Buffalo, NY.

On Sundays, liquor and wine stores can sell beer from 10 am to 10 pm

If you're looking to buy beer in Buffalo, NY, on a Sunday, there are a few things you should know about the state's alcohol laws. Firstly, beer can be purchased from liquor and wine stores from 10 am to 10 pm. This is a recent change, as part of Governor Kathy Hochul's push to modernise New York's alcoholic beverage laws. Previously, beer could not be sold before noon on Sundays, a restriction that dated back to a royal decree during the Colonial era. Now, beer sales are prohibited only from 3 am to 8 am on Sundays, and counties can adjust those hours to allow sales as early as 10 am.

Liquor and wine stores are the only establishments permitted to sell liquor for off-premises consumption. Grocery and drug stores can obtain a license to sell beer alone or beer and "wine products", but not wine or liquor. Minors must be accompanied by an adult when visiting a liquor store, and it is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to anyone below the legal drinking age.

On weekdays, liquor and wine stores typically sell spirits from 8 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday. However, some stores may close earlier, around 9 pm, and beer and wine sales may stop earlier due to local alcohol regulations. On Sundays, the sale of liquor and wine is restricted to the hours of 10 am to 10 pm.

It's important to note that individual counties in New York can set their own "last call" times for bars and restaurants. While the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) allows alcohol sales until 4 am, some counties enforce earlier closing times, such as 2 am or 3 am. Additionally, some upstate areas like Buffalo, Albany, and Saratoga Springs retain the 4 am closing time on weekdays and Sundays.

When it comes to on-premises consumption, bars and restaurants in New York typically serve alcohol from 8 am to 4 am, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they may start serving alcohol later, at 10 am, and close at 4 am.

Frequently asked questions