Buying Beer In Washington County, Ny: Legal Hours Explained

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If you're planning a trip to Washington County, New York, and want to know when you can buy beer, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, New York has specific laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, including the days and hours of sale. While these laws provide a general framework, it's worth noting that individual counties and towns may have their own regulations, so it's always a good idea to check the local rules.

Characteristics Values
Location Washington County, New York
Beer Purchase Time 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Sunday Beer Sales Start at 8:00 a.m.
Christmas Day Sales Normal hours apply
On-Premises Consumption Allowed in restaurants, bars, and taverns
Off-Premises Consumption Allowed for beer, liquor, and wine
On-Premises Consumption Hours (Weekdays) 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
On-Premises Consumption Hours (Sundays) 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Off-Premises Consumption Hours (Grocery and Convenience Stores) 24 hours
Off-Premises Consumption Hours (Liquor and Wine Stores, Weekdays) 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Off-Premises Consumption Hours (Liquor and Wine Stores, Sundays) 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Local Jurisdictions May adjust hours

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Beer buying hours in Washington County, New York

The beer-buying hours in Washington County, New York, vary depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment.

Weekdays

On weekdays, beer can be purchased for on-premises consumption in bars, restaurants, and taverns from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day. Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day. Liquor and wine stores are allowed to sell beer, liquor, and wine for off-premises consumption from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Sundays

The hours for beer sales on Sundays differ slightly. For on-premises consumption, beer can be purchased from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day. Off-premises consumption beer sales in grocery and convenience stores are allowed throughout the day, while liquor and wine stores can sell from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Special Days

Christmas Day is specified as having normal hours, meaning the weekday hours listed above apply.

County Variations

It is important to note that individual counties within New York State have the freedom to adjust these hours. For example, Binghamton has a last call at 3:00 a.m., while Syracuse, Plattsburgh, Oneonta, Rochester, and Watertown close at 2:00 a.m. Elmira, Geneva, and Ithaca have some of the earliest closing times in the state, with last call at 1:00 a.m.

Additionally, counties can choose to be "dry," meaning they forbid any on- or off-premises alcohol sales, or "partially dry" by restricting only certain types of beverages or consumption. As of 2024, there are six completely dry towns in New York State, although none of them are in Washington County.

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On-premises vs off-premises consumption rules

In Washington County, New York, the sale of alcohol is prohibited between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. This rule applies to both on-premises and off-premises consumption. During these hours, licensees or employees are not allowed to offer liquor for sale, deliver liquor (with an exception for beer and wine distributors), permit the removal of liquor from the premises, or allow liquor consumption on the premises. However, individuals working on the premises are permitted to possess liquor during this time frame if it is directly related to their job duties.

Now, let's delve into the specifics of on-premises versus off-premises consumption rules in New York:

On-Premises Consumption:

On-premises consumption refers to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within licensed establishments such as restaurants, bars, hotels, clubs, and athletic fields. These licenses are generally categorized by the type of alcohol to be sold and the nature of the establishment. For example, a "Restaurant Beer" or "Eating Place Beer" license allows for the on-premises sale and consumption of beer, cider, and mead in a restaurant setting. A "Hotel Liquor" license permits the consumption of liquor, wine, and beer on the premises, including room service, but only allows for the off-premises consumption of beer. A "Club Beer" license is designed for non-profit organizations and allows for on-premises beer consumption by members and guests. A "Ball Park Beer" license is specific to on-premises beer consumption at baseball parks, racetracks, and athletic fields.

To obtain an on-premises license, establishments must meet specific criteria, such as serving full entrée-style meals and adhering to the "200 Foot Law" and "500 Foot Law," which restrict the proximity of licensed premises to schools, places of worship, and other licensed establishments.

Off-Premises Consumption:

Off-premises licenses, on the other hand, permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption elsewhere. These include licenses for drug stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, and wine stores. For instance, a "Drug Store Beer" license allows bonafide pharmacies to sell beer for off-premises consumption. A "Grocery Store Beer" license is intended for beer sales in bona fide grocery stores, with the requirement that at least 50% of their public floor space is dedicated to consumer commodities other than beer. A "Liquor Store License" permits the sale of liquor and wine for off-premises consumption. Similarly, a "Wine Store" license allows for the sale of wine only, under similar conditions as a liquor store.

It's important to note that some on-premises licenses also provide the opportunity for off-premises consumption. For example, an "Eating Place Beer" license allows for both on-premises consumption and the sale of beer to-go with a take-out order. A "Hotel Liquor" license holder may apply for a "Hotel Off-Premises" (HOP) permit to sell liquors and wines for consumption off-site, as long as there is no liquor store within an eight-mile radius.

In summary, the key difference between on-premises and off-premises consumption rules lies in whether alcoholic beverages are consumed within the licensed premises or elsewhere. On-premises licenses cater to establishments like restaurants, bars, and hotels, while off-premises licenses are typically granted to retailers such as pharmacies, grocery stores, and liquor stores. However, there is some flexibility, as certain on-premises licenses also accommodate off-premises consumption to a limited extent.

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Dry counties in New York

In the state of New York, there are varying laws and regulations regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol in different counties. While some counties have strict restrictions on alcohol sales, others allow it with certain limitations. These counties are often referred to as "dry", "moist", or "wet", indicating the level of restriction.

A "dry" county typically prohibits the sale of alcohol entirely, and there are a few such counties in New York. As of 2024, there are ten towns in New York that are considered dry, including Neversink in Sullivan County, which was dry until 2023. The other dry towns in New York are:

  • Caneadea in Allegany County
  • Clymer and Harmony in Chautauqua County
  • Lapeer in Cortland County
  • Orwell in Oswego County
  • Fremont and Jasper in Steuben County
  • Berkshire in Tioga County
  • Argyle in Washington County
  • Mina
  • Bovina
  • Potter

In these dry counties, you cannot purchase beer or any other type of alcoholic beverage at any time. However, it's worth noting that these laws can change over time, as seen with Neversink, where residents approved a bill in 2023 to allow alcohol sales in restaurants but not in convenience stores.

"Moist" counties are those where alcohol can be sold but with certain restrictions. For example, some moist counties may only allow on-premises consumption in year-round hotels, while others may prohibit off-premises consumption entirely. Examples of moist counties in New York include Essex, Gorham, Richford, Orangeville, and Barrington.

On the other hand, "wet" counties have fewer restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption. These counties typically allow for both on-premises and off-premises consumption without many limitations.

It's important to note that these terms are not always set in stone, and counties can transition between being dry, moist, or wet based on referendums and votes by the residents. For instance, in 2007, Potter transitioned from being a dry town to a wet town, while Bovina changed from dry to moist, and Franklin remained moist.

While New York has its share of dry counties, the state also offers a diverse range of alcoholic beverages for those who enjoy them. From craft beers to fine wines and spirits, New Yorkers can typically enjoy their favourite drinks within the designated hours and in accordance with local regulations.

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New York's drinking age

In the state of New York, the legal drinking age is 21. This means that it is illegal to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21. The drinking age was raised from 19 to 21 in 1985, in response to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which reduced federal highway funding for any state that did not have a minimum purchasing age of 21.

While there is no law prohibiting persons under the age of 21 from consuming alcohol given to them by their parent or guardian, they are prohibited from purchasing alcohol or possessing alcohol with the intent to consume unless it was given to them by a parent or guardian. Additionally, persons under 21 are prohibited from having a blood alcohol level of 0.02% or higher while driving.

The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) and its agency arm, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC), were established in 1934 to regulate and control the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the state. The sale and service of alcoholic beverages are governed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which includes dram shop laws and other regulations.

The hours during which alcohol may not be served in New York are from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. These hours were designed to accommodate New York City nightlife and late-night workers statewide. However, individual counties are free to set earlier "last call" times, and the sale of alcohol is prohibited 24 hours a day on Sundays in some counties.

It is important to note that New York's alcohol laws also address public intoxication and drinking in public. It is illegal to appear in public while intoxicated to the point of endangering oneself or others, and public drinking was outlawed in New York City in 1979. While this law was originally intended to target antisocial behaviour, it is important to be aware of the restrictions on public drinking when consuming alcohol in New York.

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Liquor license requirements

In Washington County, NY, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased from 6:00 am to 2:00 am. However, the specific hours for alcohol sales vary depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment. On weekdays, alcohol can be sold in restaurants, bars, and taverns from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., while grocery and convenience stores can sell beer for off-premises consumption during the same hours. Liquor and wine stores are allowed to sell liquor and wine for off-premises consumption from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. On Sundays, alcohol sales in restaurants, bars, and taverns are permitted from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., while liquor and wine stores can sell from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Christmas Day follows the normal hours of operation.

Now, let's delve into the liquor license requirements in Washington County, NY, for businesses dealing with the importation, manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcohol. The State Liquor Authority is responsible for issuing licenses and permits, and the review process can take approximately 22-26 weeks. The process depends on the type of application, the volume of applications, and the completeness and accuracy of the submitted application. There are four main groups of liquor licenses:

  • On-premises licenses: These include bars, restaurants, taverns, and hotels. On-premises licensees can sell and serve alcohol by the glass for consumption on the premises and are required to sell food during all hours of operation.
  • Off-premises licenses: This category includes liquor stores, wine stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores. Off-premises licensees sell alcoholic beverages by the bottle for consumption elsewhere.
  • Manufacturing licenses: Breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies fall under this group. Manufacturers can produce and wholesale alcoholic beverages.
  • Wholesale licenses: Beer and wine wholesalers, as well as importers, are included here. Wholesalers can sell alcohol to licensed wholesalers and retailers.

Each type of license has its own set of application requirements, and New York Business Express provides fillable forms for all on-premises, off-premises, manufacturing, and wholesale applications. It's important to note that the review process can be lengthy, so planning ahead is crucial. Temporary permits are available for on-premises licenses and grocery stores, allowing businesses to serve alcohol while their license application is being processed. These permits are typically processed within 30 days and are valid for 90 days.

To ensure a smooth application process, it's recommended to first check with the SLA to understand the current processing times. Before applying, it's necessary to obtain a filing receipt from the Secretary of State after registering your corporation or LLC, or a business certificate from the county clerk for a sole proprietorship or partnership. The application process also requires a checklist of necessary items, which can be found on the SLA website.

It's important to note that certain individuals are disqualified by statute from holding an SLA license, including those with felony convictions, persons under the age of 21, and non-US citizens or permanent residents. Additionally, the "tied house law" prohibits individuals with an interest in a manufacturing or wholesale business from holding a restaurant license in New York State. There are also specific distance restrictions, such as the "200 Foot Law" and the "500 Foot Law", which impose limitations on the issuance of on-premises retail licenses for establishments near schools, places of worship, or other licensed premises.

The cost of a retail license depends on the type of alcoholic beverages served and the county where the business operates. Once an application is approved, businesses can sell and serve alcoholic beverages according to the terms of their license. It's important to display the original license certificate in a conspicuous location at the licensed premises, along with the required warning signs.

Frequently asked questions

Beer may be sold for on-premises consumption in New York County from 8:00 am to 4:00 am on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 4:00 am on Sundays.

Beer sales are permitted every day of the week in New York County. However, on Sundays, beer sales begin later in the morning compared to other days.

Bars and restaurants in Washington County, NY, can sell beer for on-premises consumption during their regular operating hours, which may vary depending on local regulations.

Yes, individuals must be at least 21 years old to purchase beer in New York State. Proper identification, such as a driver's license or passport, is typically required to verify age.

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