Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. For those wondering when they can buy beer in the state, the hours of sale for liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets are between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Sundays. It is important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on the day of any election while polls are open, and when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Days and times beer can be purchased in Massachusetts | Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. |
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. | |
Where beer can be purchased in Massachusetts | Grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, gas stations, package stores, and online |
Age restrictions | It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy or possess alcohol. Those under 21 may drink if a parent, guardian, grandparent, or legal-age spouse provides the alcohol. |
Other restrictions | Alcohol sales are prohibited on federal, state, or local election days while polls are open, and on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday. |
What You'll Learn
Grocery stores can sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday
In Massachusetts, grocery stores are permitted to sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. This also applies to convenience stores.
Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. The state's alcohol laws apply to both residents and visitors. While adults, or those aged 18 or older, are permitted to sell alcohol in stores, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase it. It is also illegal to give alcohol to anyone under 21 who is not a family member.
On Sundays, beer sales in grocery stores are not permitted to begin before 10 am and must end by 11 pm. No alcohol sales are allowed on federal, state, or local election days while polls are open. When Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the sale of packaged alcoholic beverages is prohibited. On the night before a legal holiday, beer may be sold until 11:30 pm.
Massachusetts also prohibits happy hours and retailers from passing bulk-buy discounts on to customers.
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Restaurants and bars can serve beer from 8 am to 2 am Monday to Saturday
Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. These laws apply equally to residents and visitors, and ignorance of the law is not considered a valid excuse.
In Massachusetts, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. However, restaurants and bars have extended hours and can serve beer from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, no alcohol sales are permitted before noon.
These hours apply to the city of Boston and may differ in other parts of the state. For example, in some townships, alcohol sales are prohibited altogether.
It is important to note that Massachusetts law prohibits the sale of alcohol on any election day while the polls are open. Additionally, happy hours are illegal in the state, and retailers are not allowed to pass on bulk-buy discounts to customers.
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Beer sales can't start before noon on Sundays
Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. Alcohol sales are prohibited before noon on Sundays. This applies to liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, which can sell packaged alcoholic beverages from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Bars and restaurants are also subject to the Sunday rule, but their hours differ slightly. They can serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays and between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
The law also prohibits the sale of alcohol on the day of any federal, state, or local election while polls are open. When Christmas falls on a Sunday, the sale of alcohol is not permitted for the entire day. However, on the night before a legal holiday, packaged alcoholic beverages may be sold until 11:30 p.m.
The state's alcohol laws also vary by township, with some imposing stricter regulations or even prohibiting the sale of alcohol altogether.
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It's illegal to sell beer on election days while polls are open
In Massachusetts, it is illegal to sell beer—or any other type of alcohol—while polls are open on election days. This law is a relic of the Prohibition era, when saloons sometimes served as polling stations, and candidates used alcohol to persuade undecided voters.
Massachusetts is known for its strict alcohol laws, which can be confusing for residents and visitors. The state has separate legal sale hours for Sundays, and these laws vary from those of other states. For example, in California, alcohol sale times are the same every day. However, Massachusetts allows for an extra hour of alcohol sales on Sundays for on-premise consumption. On Sundays, alcohol sales at bars and restaurants are allowed from 10 a.m. until midnight, while off-premise retailers, such as liquor stores, grocery stores, and convenience stores, can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
In addition to the time restrictions, there are also some other important things to note about buying and consuming alcohol in Massachusetts. Firstly, the state has a legal drinking age of 21 and enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving, especially for those under the age of 21. Secondly, Massachusetts prohibits the sale of alcohol on specific days, such as Christmas Day, Memorial Day (before noon), Thanksgiving (off-premise sales only), and Election Day. Lastly, there may be additional restrictions depending on the local municipality, so it's important to check with local authorities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
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You can order beer online
If you're looking to buy beer in Massachusetts, you may be able to purchase it from a grocery store or gas station, depending on the town and store. However, it's worth noting that Massachusetts laws around alcohol sales in supermarkets are quite restrictive. The state legislature allows a single business entity to hold a limited number of licenses to sell alcohol, and the process of obtaining these licenses can be complex and costly. As a result, many grocery stores in Massachusetts choose not to sell alcohol.
If you're specifically looking to buy beer, your best bet may be to visit a liquor store or a package store, which are more likely to have a wider selection. In Massachusetts, you need to be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol, and retailers are allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 8 am and 11 pm.
Another option for purchasing beer in Massachusetts is to order it online. There are several websites that offer delivery services for alcoholic beverages, and this can be a convenient way to get your favourite beer without having to leave your home. Simply search for "buy beer online Massachusetts" to find a range of retailers that can deliver beer straight to your door.
When ordering beer online in Massachusetts, it's important to keep in mind the state's regulations around alcohol sales. Make sure to provide valid identification information during the checkout process, as you would when purchasing beer in-store. Additionally, be aware of the delivery times offered by the online retailer, as they should adhere to the permitted hours for alcohol sales in the state.
Ordering beer online can offer several benefits. Firstly, it can provide access to a wider variety of beers, including craft beers and speciality options that may not be available at your local store. Secondly, it can be a convenient option if you don't have easy access to a liquor store or if you want to avoid the hassle of travelling and standing in line.
When choosing an online retailer for your beer purchase, it's worth considering factors such as selection, pricing, delivery fees and speed, and customer reviews. Some websites may offer additional perks, such as subscription services, loyalty programs, or special discounts. It's also important to ensure that the retailer you choose is licensed to sell alcohol in Massachusetts and complies with all relevant regulations.
So, if you're looking for a convenient and hassle-free way to buy beer in Massachusetts, consider ordering it online. With a wide range of retailers to choose from, competitive pricing, and the convenience of home delivery, it's an option that combines ease with a vast selection of beers to choose from.
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Frequently asked questions
Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No alcohol sales begin before 10 a.m. on Sunday, and sales are permitted until 11 p.m.
Grocery and convenience stores, package stores, and some gas stations and supermarkets sell beer.
Yes, it is illegal to sell alcohol on any election day while polls are open, and happy hours have been illegal in Massachusetts since 1984.
Yes, it is now legal to order alcohol online in Massachusetts.
Yes, the dry townships in Massachusetts that prohibit the sale of alcohol are Alford, Chilmark, Dunstable, Gosnold, Hawley, and Montgomery, as well as Mount Washington, Needham, and Westhampton.