If you're planning a party or just want to stock up your fridge, it's important to know the local drinking laws before heading out to buy alcohol. In Washington, D.C., the laws are quite different from other states. While bars and restaurants in most states have to buy their alcoholic beverages from wholesalers, in D.C., they can buy directly from breweries and distilleries, which is great news for craft beer lovers. D.C. also doesn't have the same Sunday restrictions as other states, so you can buy liquor at licensed restaurants and bars from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and at grocery and liquor stores from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week. If you're looking for spirits, head to a packaged liquor store or a local distillery, which sell their products for on- and off-premise consumption from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Hours of sale for liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets | Alcohol sales are permitted from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, any day of the week |
Hours of sale for bars and restaurants | Alcohol sales are permitted from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Sunday to Thursday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., Friday to Saturday |
Holiday exceptions | Alcohol sales are permitted until 4:00 a.m. on the eve of federal or District of Columbia holidays, New Year's Eve, and the nights before and after certain holidays (see source for details) |
Age restriction | The minimum age to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in DC is 21 years |
ID requirement | A valid government-issued photo ID is required to purchase alcohol |
Open container restrictions | Open containers of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in public places that are not part of licensed establishments |
What You'll Learn
- Beer can be bought in DC from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week
- Bars and restaurants can sell beer from 8 am to 2 am, Sunday to Thursday
- On Fridays and Saturdays, beer can be sold until 3 am in bars and restaurants
- Beer can be purchased in grocery stores and liquor stores from 9 am to 10 pm
- DC has no old Sunday blue laws restricting alcohol sales
Beer can be bought in DC from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week
Beer lovers in Washington, DC, can enjoy a wide range of options when it comes to purchasing their favourite beverage. The district's liquor laws allow for a convenient and flexible beer-buying experience, seven days a week. Here's what you need to know about buying beer in DC:
Beer Buying Hours in DC:
In Washington, DC, beer enthusiasts can purchase their favourite brews from 7 am to midnight every day of the week. This applies to packaged beer sold at liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. So, whether you're stocking up for a weekend barbecue or grabbing a six-pack for a quiet night in, you can take advantage of these daily beer-buying hours.
On-Premises Beer Service:
If you're looking to enjoy a beer at a bar or restaurant in DC, the hours of service are a bit different. On-premises beer service is permitted from 8 am to 2 am, Sunday through Thursday, and 8 am to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. This extended service on weekends gives you more time to socialise and enjoy a refreshing beer with friends.
Holidays and Special Occasions:
DC also makes exceptions for holidays and special occasions. On certain nights, including federal or District of Columbia holidays, and specific dates before and after New Year's Eve and Memorial Day, alcoholic beverages can be served until 4 am, giving you even more time to celebrate and make memories.
Local Breweries and Distilleries:
For those who want to explore the local craft beer scene, DC offers a unique opportunity. You can visit local breweries and distilleries, which are allowed to sell their beers and spirits directly to customers for on- and off-premise consumption. This means you can purchase a refreshing craft beer to enjoy on-site or take a sealed container to enjoy at home, all within the same hours as mentioned above.
Age Restrictions:
It's important to remember that these beer-buying and consumption freedoms come with responsibility. In the United States, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or publicly possess alcoholic beverages. So, while DC offers a wide range of options for beer enthusiasts, it is crucial to abide by the legal drinking age restrictions and always consume alcohol responsibly.
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Bars and restaurants can sell beer from 8 am to 2 am, Sunday to Thursday
If you're planning a night out in Washington, D.C., it's a good idea to know the local drinking laws. While D.C. doesn't have old Sunday "blue laws" in place, the hours you can buy beer vary depending on the day and where you are buying it.
If you're buying beer to drink off-site, the hours are a little different. Packaged alcoholic beverages can be sold in liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week. Grocery stores can sell beer, wine, cider, and mead every day from 9 am to 10 pm. Breweries and distilleries sell their products for off-site consumption from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week, but these must be in sealed containers.
There are also some unique aspects to D.C.'s liquor laws. For example, bars and restaurants can buy their alcoholic beverages directly from breweries and distilleries, rather than through a wholesaler. This means craft beer lovers will find a wide variety of local beers in stores, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, grocery stores can sell wine, cider, and mead in growlers, and hotels can sell beer and wine from a store inside the hotel, not just from the bar or restaurant.
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On Fridays and Saturdays, beer can be sold until 3 am in bars and restaurants
In Washington, DC, alcoholic beverages may be served in bars and restaurants between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday. However, on Fridays and Saturdays, beer and other alcoholic drinks can be sold until 3:00 a.m. in bars and restaurants.
The sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages is prohibited from 3:00 a.m. to 7:59 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. This means that, on Fridays and Saturdays, beer can be sold for 18 hours straight in bars and restaurants.
On Fridays and Saturdays, beer and other alcoholic drinks can be sold for 19 hours straight in bars and restaurants, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. This is an additional hour compared to the permitted hours from Sunday to Thursday.
In DC, the hours for selling alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants are extended by an hour on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing patrons to enjoy drinks until 3:00 a.m. This extended timeframe provides an opportunity for a vibrant nightlife and social gatherings during the weekends.
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Beer can be purchased in grocery stores and liquor stores from 9 am to 10 pm
In Washington, D.C., beer can be purchased in grocery stores and liquor stores from 9 am to 10 pm. This applies every day of the week, including Sundays, when many other places have more restrictive laws. D.C. is not a state, and so it has some loopholes that other places don't have. For example, bars and restaurants in every state have to purchase their alcoholic beverages from a wholesaler, but in D.C. they can buy those products directly from breweries and distilleries.
Grocery stores in D.C. can sell beer, wine, cider, and mead. Spirits are widely available at packaged liquor stores. Beer, wine, and spirits can also be purchased directly from local breweries and distilleries, which sell their products for on- and off-premise consumption from 7 am to midnight seven days a week. Off-premise purchases must be in sealed containers.
D.C.'s liquor laws have changed substantially over the years. For example, until a few years ago, liquor stores in the District were closed on Sundays, grocery stores couldn't sell growlers, and distilleries couldn't offer on-site tastings.
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DC has no old Sunday blue laws restricting alcohol sales
In Washington, D.C., alcoholic beverages may be sold between 7:00 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week. This applies to packaged alcoholic beverages sold at liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets.
D.C. does not have old Sunday "blue laws" on its books, which means there are virtually no restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales. Alcohol can be purchased at licensed restaurants and bars from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays, and at grocery and liquor stores from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On Fridays and Saturdays, alcohol sales are extended until 3:00 a.m. at bars and restaurants. Additionally, on certain holidays and special occasions, such as New Year's Eve and the night before a federal or district holiday, alcohol sales are permitted until 4:00 a.m.
The variety of alcohol available for purchase also differs depending on the retailer. Grocery stores sell beer, wine, cider, and mead, while liquor stores offer a wider range of spirits. Craft beer lovers can also purchase local beers directly from small breweries, and spirits can be bought from local distilleries.
While D.C. offers more flexibility in alcohol sales compared to other jurisdictions, it is important to note that open containers of alcoholic beverages are restricted to ABRA-licensed establishments. Possessing an open container of alcohol in public spaces can result in a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer can be bought in DC from 7 a.m. to midnight every day.
Beer can be bought at grocery stores, liquor stores, bars, restaurants, and breweries.
You must be 21 or older to purchase beer in DC and provide a valid ID.
Yes, there are no restrictions on Sunday beer sales in DC.
No, beer sales are restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. to midnight.