Wisconsin Beer Buying Hours: Know Before You Go

If you're planning a night out in Wisconsin, it's worth noting that the state has strict laws regulating the sale of alcohol, including beer. While the specific cut-off time for beer sales varies, it generally falls between midnight and 9 pm. This means that, in some areas, you won't be able to purchase beer after 9 pm, which is significantly earlier than in other states.

The variation in beer sales cut-off times across Wisconsin is due to the state allowing local municipalities to set their own restrictions on top of statewide statutes. This means that, depending on where you are, you might find that beer sales end at midnight, or even earlier than 9 pm.

Beer can be bought until midnight in Wisconsin

State law in Wisconsin prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am, and beer between midnight and 6 am. Local municipalities can further restrict these hours, with many opting to stop all alcohol sales at 9 pm. For example, in Milwaukee County, all alcohol sales cease at 9 pm. However, in Douglas County, beer and liquor can be purchased until midnight.

The alcohol laws in Wisconsin are influenced by the Tavern League, which has lobbied municipalities to restrict sales times to encourage people to buy alcohol in bars rather than grocery stores. This has resulted in a patchwork of regulations that vary from county to county.

It's important to note that Wisconsin's alcohol laws only apply to retail outlets and not bars. Bars in Wisconsin are required to close between 2 am and 6 am from Monday to Friday and between 2:30 am and 6 am on Saturday and Sunday, with exceptions made for New Year's Eve and changes to Daylight Saving Time.

Liquor sales are prohibited after 9 pm

In Wisconsin, the sale of liquor and wine is prohibited after 9 pm. However, this varies depending on the type of retailer and the day of the week.

Retailers

State law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am, and beer between midnight and 6 am. Retailers are allowed to sell alcohol as early as 6 am, but they must wait until 8 am to buy alcohol from wholesalers.

Bars

Bars are required to be closed between 2 am and 6 am from Monday to Friday, and between 2:30 am and 6 am on Saturday and Sunday. On New Year's Eve, bars are not required to close, and there are also exceptions for changes in Daylight Saving Time.

Municipalities

Local municipalities can impose more restrictive limits on alcohol sales. For example, in Milwaukee County, all alcohol sales stop at 9 pm. In some places, like Maple Bluff and Douglas County, beer is sold until midnight.

Temporary Class B License Holders

For temporary Class B license holders, no wine can be served after 9 pm on the premises.

Sundays

On Sundays, wholesalers can extend their alcohol sales until 9 pm. For Class B and C retailers, sales can be extended until 3:30 am when daylight saving begins.

Wholesale

Wholesalers are not allowed to sell alcohol between 5 pm and 8 am.

Class A Retailers

No premises should sell intoxicating liquor for Class A retailers from 9 pm until 6 am.

Class B and C Retailers

For Class B and C retailers, no premises can sell between 2 am and 6 am, but with additional limitations: no liquor can be sold between 9 pm and 8 am, and no fermented malt beverages or carry-out liquor in original packaging can be sold between midnight and 6 am.

Local laws can further restrict sales

The time at which you can buy beer in Wisconsin varies depending on the city and county. While state law prohibits the retail sale of beer between midnight and 6:00 a.m., local municipalities can impose further restrictions on alcohol sales.

In some cities, such as Milwaukee, all alcohol sales, including beer, are cut off at 9:00 p.m. In other areas, such as Douglas County, beer and liquor can be purchased until midnight. There are even a few spots in Madison that sell beer until midnight, despite the city's 9:00 p.m. cutoff.

Local ordinances often prohibit retail beer sales after 9:00 p.m., but there are exceptions. For example, a gas station in Appleton sells beer until midnight, and a bar in Shorewood sells beer and wine until 11:00 p.m. In addition, some bars allow carry-out purchases until midnight, and a few will even do so illegally after that.

The variation in local laws can be confusing, especially for those new to the state or visiting. To ensure you don't run afoul of local regulations, it's advisable to check the rules in your specific location.

Some bars allow carry-out purchases after hours

Wisconsin's alcohol laws can be confusing, with certain classifications and varying rules depending on the type of retailer and the day of the week. The state's laws also allow local municipalities to further restrict retail sales of alcohol or ban the issuance of retail liquor licenses altogether. This means that the last call for alcohol may vary depending on where you are in Wisconsin.

While the state law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am, and beer between midnight and 6 am, some bars are allowed to provide carry-out purchases after hours. This is a result of certain establishments being "grandfathered in" with the carry-out clause, allowing them to continue operating under previous laws or regulations.

In Milwaukee, for example, there are reports of bars that allow carry-out purchases of beer after 9 pm. One such bar is the Falcon Bowl in Riverwest, which has been mentioned by multiple sources. However, it is important to note that these establishments may charge higher prices for carry-out purchases, and the availability of such options may change over time.

In addition to bars, certain gas stations and convenience stores in Wisconsin have also been known to sell alcohol after hours. For instance, the Kwik Trip in Mequon and the Clark station on KK in St. Francis have been mentioned as locations where beer can be purchased after 9 pm. Again, it is important to recognize that the availability of alcohol at these locations may change, and it is always a good idea to check local regulations and confirm with specific establishments.

Gas stations can sell beer

In Wisconsin, the drinking culture is deeply ingrained, and the state's alcohol laws differ from those of other states. Wisconsin state law allows the sale of alcohol from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in most cases, with some variations depending on the day of the week and the type of alcohol being sold. This timeframe applies to alcohol sold for off-premises consumption, such as at gas stations, grocery stores, and retailers.

Gas stations in Wisconsin can sell beer, and they are among the familiar places to purchase alcohol in the state. However, it's important to note that the hours for alcohol sales at gas stations may vary. While beer can generally be sold until midnight, liquor sales are typically cut off at 9 p.m. according to state law. These hours may be further restricted by local ordinances, and some municipalities have their own regulations. For example, Milwaukee County stops all alcohol sales at 9 p.m., while other areas like Douglas County allow beer and liquor sales until midnight.

The availability of beer at gas stations in Wisconsin can be influenced by factors such as location and local laws. Some gas stations may be able to sell beer until midnight, while others might have to stop sales earlier. It's always a good idea to check with the specific gas station or refer to local regulations to confirm the hours for beer sales.

It's worth noting that Wisconsin has more lenient laws regarding alcohol sales compared to some other states. For instance, there is no limit on the quantity of alcohol that can be purchased in a single transaction, and happy hour drink specials are permitted. However, drunk driving is illegal, and Wisconsin has laws in place to penalize those who operate vehicles while intoxicated.

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