When To Buy Beer In New Jersey

New Jersey's alcohol laws are among the most complex in the United States, with many peculiarities not found in other states' laws. The state allows the sale of beer from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. any day of the week at bars and restaurants, although some municipalities enforce stricter hours of operation. Retail licenses can sell beer at any time the municipality has permitted the sale, but never outside the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. In Atlantic City, there are no closing times, and alcohol can be purchased in casinos and bars 24 hours a day.

Beer can be bought at bars and restaurants from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m

New Jersey's alcohol laws are among the most complex in the United States, with many peculiarities not found in other states' laws. For example, the state treats drunk driving as a traffic offense rather than a crime, and it permits individual municipalities to define the scope of underage drinking laws.

The state laws also grant individual municipalities substantial discretion in passing ordinances regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks within their limits. As a result, the availability of alcohol and regulations governing it vary significantly from town to town.

Some towns in New Jersey are "dry towns", which do not allow alcoholic drinks to be sold and do not issue retail licenses for bars or restaurants to serve alcohol to patrons. However, dry towns cannot forbid the possession, consumption, or transportation of alcohol.

On the other hand, some towns, like Atlantic City, permit the sale of alcohol 24 hours a day.

Some towns in New Jersey are dry, meaning they don't allow the sale of alcohol

In New Jersey, you can buy beer from 9 am to 2 pm any day of the week at bars and restaurants. However, it's important to note that some towns in the state are "dry," which means they don't allow the sale of alcohol. This is surprising, given the state's vibrant nightlife and its reputation for being a drinking destination.

New Jersey has approximately 30 dry towns, which are mostly located in South Jersey. These dry communities prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in local stores, bars, and restaurants. Interestingly, being a dry town does not affect the presence of wineries or breweries, as alcohol manufacturing licenses are issued by the state rather than the municipality. While you can't buy alcohol in these towns, you may still find restaurants that offer a BYOB option or even wineries and breweries offering tastings.

Some of the dry towns in New Jersey include Audubon Park, Collingswood, Haddonfield, and Haddon Heights in Camden County; Ocean City, Cape May Point, and Wildwood Crest in Cape May County; Port Republic in Atlantic County; Saddle River in Bergen County; and Delanco and Pemberton in Burlington County.

The existence of dry towns in New Jersey can be attributed to historical factors. Many of these towns have strong affiliations with religious groups like Quakers and Puritans, and some chose to remain dry even after Prohibition ended due to concerns about the negative impact of alcohol on their communities. Over time, these towns have not updated their regulations to allow the sale and distribution of alcohol in local businesses.

It's worth noting that you cannot be arrested for drinking in a dry community in New Jersey. These towns are not allowed to forbid the possession, consumption, or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

Grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations rarely sell alcohol

In New Jersey, grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations rarely sell alcohol. This is due to a state law that prohibits any person or corporation from possessing more than two retail distribution licenses. This restriction makes it impractical for chain stores to sell alcoholic drinks, and, in conjunction with municipal ordinances, severely limits the sale of beer in supermarkets and convenience stores.

This law also means that only two stores in each grocery store chain in New Jersey can sell alcohol. For example, only two Sonoco gas stations and two ACME Supermarkets in the state will have a license to sell alcohol. These stores can sell beer from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and can sell it in cans and bottles.

Some grocery stores in New Jersey have found ways to get around these laws. For example, some stores have a separate entrance for their alcohol section, which operates as a separate entity. This means that customers can pay for their alcohol and groceries separately. Other stores have a liquor store attached to the supermarket.

Some New Jersey residents have expressed frustration with these laws, noting that in many other states in America, beer is sold in grocery and convenience stores without any problems.

People under 21 can drink in private locations without a relative present

In New Jersey, the laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol are complex and vary from town to town. While the minimum drinking age is 21, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, minors between the ages of 18 and 20 are permitted to drink in private locations without a relative present. Additionally, minors of any age are allowed to consume alcohol in private locations with a parent or guardian over the age of 21.

The state laws in New Jersey allow individual municipalities to have substantial discretion in passing ordinances that regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol within their limits. This means that the availability of alcohol and the regulations surrounding it can differ significantly from town to town. For instance, while some towns may be "dry" and prohibit the sale of alcohol entirely, others, like Atlantic City, permit alcohol sales 24 hours a day.

The state laws also allow parents and guardians over the age of 21 to serve alcohol to their children under the age of 21 in private locations. This is often done to demystify alcohol and teach moderation, with the belief that it is better for youth to learn about drinking at home than in a frat house.

It is important to note that while New Jersey has some unique alcohol laws, the minimum drinking age of 21 is a federal requirement. This means that no state can have a lower drinking age, and exceptions for minors are specific to each state's laws.

It's illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under 21

In New Jersey, it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. The penalty for doing so is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or jail time of up to six months. If a business sells alcohol to an underage person, even by accident, it will be fined, and the state may suspend or revoke its alcohol license.

Under New Jersey law, people under 21 are allowed to drink in private locations, such as a house, hotel room, or backyard, without a relative present. However, many towns prohibit drinking by those under 21 unless a relative over that age is present.

The minimum drinking age in New Jersey is 21. There are exceptions to this rule for minors at home with parents or during religious events. It is illegal for those under 21 to drive if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.01%.

New Jersey alcohol laws permit adults aged 18 or older to be bartenders, servers in venues that sell alcohol for on-site consumption, and cashiers in venues that sell alcohol to be consumed elsewhere. People aged 18 or older may also own a liquor license, but they may not consume alcohol.

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