Michigan's Christmas Beer Buying Hours: When To Stock Up

If you're planning to buy beer in Michigan on Christmas, you'll need to plan ahead. Michigan prohibits the sale of alcohol between 11:59 pm on Christmas Eve and 12:00 pm (noon) on Christmas Day. This applies to all licensees that sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the licensed premises. So, if you're hoping to stock up on beer or other alcoholic drinks on Christmas Day in Michigan, you'll need to purchase them in advance as the sale of alcohol is restricted during those hours.

Alcohol sales are prohibited between 11:59 pm on 24 December and noon on 25 December

In Michigan, the sale of alcohol is prohibited between 11:59 pm on Christmas Eve and 12:00 pm (noon) on Christmas Day. This applies to all licensees that sell alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits, and mixed drinks, for consumption on or off the licensed premises. This means that bars that usually remain open until 2:00 am must stop serving alcohol before midnight on Christmas Eve.

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has communicated this rule clearly to businesses holding the state's liquor licenses: "The sale of alcoholic beverages must end on Christmas Eve, December 24, by midnight and may not begin again until noon on Christmas, December 25. Normal legal hours for alcohol sales resume on December 26."

The current law is less restrictive than the previous one. Before 2010, alcohol sales were banned in Michigan from 9:00 pm on December 24 through 7:00 am on December 26. The new law also permits certain retailers with permits to sell alcohol before noon on Sundays.

While stocking up on alcohol ahead of Christmas is advisable, it's important to keep in mind that state law restricts alcohol purchases to individuals who are 21 and older. On Christmas Day, the most recent legal birth date for purchasing alcohol is December 25, 2004. Additionally, it's worth noting that cashiers, clerks, bartenders, waiters, and waitresses are prohibited from selling alcohol to any visibly intoxicated patron, regardless of their age.

Normal alcohol sales resume on 26 December

In Michigan, the sale of alcohol resumes on 26 December, the day after Christmas. This means that bars, restaurants, and stores that traditionally sell liquor, beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages can go back to their normal hours.

Michigan has strict rules regarding alcohol sales during the Christmas holiday. On Christmas Eve, alcohol sales must end by 11:59 p.m. and may not resume until noon on Christmas Day. This applies to all licensees that sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the licensed premises. The previous law banned alcohol sales from 9:00 p.m. on 24 December through 7:00 a.m. on 26 December. However, in 2010, Michigan adopted less restrictive regulations, allowing alcohol sales to resume at noon on Christmas Day and normal hours on the day after Christmas.

It is important to note that state law restricts alcohol purchases to individuals who are 21 and older. On Christmas Day, the most recent legal birth date for purchasing alcohol is 25 December 2004. Additionally, cashiers, clerks, bartenders, waiters, and waitresses are prohibited from selling alcohol to any visibly intoxicated patron, regardless of their age.

On-premises licensees cannot sell alcohol between 4:00 am and 7:00 am on 1 January

In Michigan, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on Christmas Eve from 11:59 pm until noon on Christmas Day. This rule applies to all licensees that sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the licensed premises.

On New Year's Day, the rules are different for on-premises and off-premises licensees. On-premises licensees cannot sell alcohol between 4:00 am and 7:00 am on New Year's Day. This means that bars and restaurants with on-premises licenses must stop selling alcohol at 4:00 am and cannot resume sales until 7:00 am. During this time, patrons may continue to consume alcohol on the premises, but no new sales can be made. This rule is specific to on-premises licensees and does not apply to off-premises retailers.

For off-premises licensees, such as convenience, drug, and grocery stores, there is a different set of regulations. Off-premises licensees are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages between 2:00 am and 7:00 am on New Year's Day. This means that these retailers must stop selling alcohol at 2:00 am and cannot resume sales until 7:00 am.

It is important to note that these regulations are specific to Michigan and may differ from other states. Michigan has adopted less restrictive regulations regarding alcohol sales on holidays in recent years. However, it is always a good idea to check the specific laws and regulations in your state or locality to ensure compliance.

Off-premises licensees cannot sell alcohol between 2:00 am and 7:00 am on 1 January

In Michigan, the sale of alcohol is prohibited between 11:59 pm on Christmas Eve and noon on Christmas Day. This applies to all licensees that sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the licensed premises. On New Year's Day, Michigan also places restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

Off-premises licensees, such as convenience, drug, and grocery stores, cannot sell alcoholic beverages between 2:00 am and 7:00 am on 1 January. This means that off-site license holders must stop selling alcohol at 2:00 am on New Year's Day and are not permitted to resume sales until 7:00 am. This restriction ensures that alcohol is not sold during the early morning hours of the new year and is in line with Michigan's Liquor Control Code and administrative rules, which dictate that the legal hours for selling alcohol on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day differ from the usual hours.

It's important to note that the rules for on-premises licensees are slightly different. On-premises licensees, such as bars and restaurants, are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages until 4:00 am on 1 January and can permit the consumption of alcohol on their premises until 4:30 am. This extended timeframe for on-premises licensees provides an exception for those celebrating the new year at bars or restaurants, allowing them to continue serving alcohol to patrons in the early hours of the morning.

These regulations are enforced by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), which reminds retailers of these special holiday hours. While Michigan has adopted less restrictive regulations regarding alcohol sales on holidays in recent years, it's crucial for businesses to adhere to these rules to avoid any legal consequences.

By following these guidelines, off-premises licensees can ensure they are compliant with Michigan's alcohol sales regulations during the holiday season, specifically regarding the early morning hours of New Year's Day.

Michigan has no alcohol sales restrictions on Thanksgiving

It is important to note that while alcohol sales are prohibited during the specified Christmas period, establishments may remain open and sell other goods and services. Additionally, Michigan has strict rules regarding the sale of alcohol to minors and intoxicated individuals. State law restricts alcohol purchases to individuals aged 21 and above, and cashiers, bartenders, waiters, and other service staff are prohibited from selling to visibly intoxicated patrons, regardless of age.

Michigan also has specific regulations for New Year's Day. On-premises licensees cannot sell alcoholic beverages between 4:00 am and 7:00 am, while off-premises licensees (including convenience, drug, and grocery stores) are restricted from selling alcohol between 2:00 am and 7:00 am.

In recent years, Michigan has adopted less restrictive regulations regarding alcohol sales on holidays. While some states in the US prohibit or limit alcohol sales on certain holidays, Michigan allows alcohol sales on Thanksgiving Day and the day after without any restrictions. This flexibility is convenient for those celebrating the holiday and ensures that businesses can operate without interruption.

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