Late-Night Beer Runs In Wisconsin: Where To Go After 9 P.M

In Wisconsin, the sale of alcohol is regulated by both statewide statutes and local ordinances. State law 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 retail sales of alcohol or ban the issuance of retail liquor licenses altogether. Many cities in Wisconsin, including Madison, have local ordinances that prohibit the sale of beer after 9 pm. However, there are some exceptions to these rules, and some municipalities in Wisconsin allow the sale of alcohol until midnight. For example, in the Madison area, there are reports of beer being sold until midnight at Vic Pierce Liquor on Sherman Avenue and Kwik Trip on Milwaukee Street. In Milwaukee, beer can be purchased until midnight at Falcon Bowl in Riverwest, and at several gas stations in Pewaukee, including Stop and Go, Mobil, BP, and Kwik Trip. In West Allis, Metro Market in Shorewood sells beer, wine, and liquor until 11 pm.

Beer can be purchased in Wisconsin until midnight

In Madison, for example, it is not possible to buy beer after 9 pm. However, there are some places just outside the city that sell beer until midnight, such as Vic Pierce Liquor on Sherman Ave and Kwik Trip on Milwaukie Street.

In Milwaukee, beer can be purchased until midnight at Falcon Bowl in Riverwest, and Gee Willickers. To buy beer after 9 pm, you must leave Milwaukee County. There are several gas stations in Mequon, Pewaukee, Okauchee, and Merton that sell beer until midnight.

In addition to the closing times, there are other regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol in Wisconsin. For example, the drinking age in Wisconsin is 21, and there are no minimum jail sentences for first or second offences of driving under the influence.

Liquor and wine sales are prohibited after 9 pm

In Wisconsin, liquor and wine sales are prohibited after 9 pm. State law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am. Beer sales are also prohibited after midnight. However, local municipalities can impose further restrictions on the retail sale of alcohol, and many prohibit beer sales after 9 pm as well.

In Wisconsin, the regulation of alcohol sales is governed by both statewide statutes and local ordinances. While the state sets the broad rules, individual communities can implement their own restrictions, or even ban alcohol sales altogether. This means that the specific rules about purchasing alcohol can vary from place to place within Wisconsin.

For example, in Madison, the sale of all alcohol, including beer, is prohibited after 9 pm. However, there are some places just outside Madison where you can buy beer after 9 pm, such as Vic Pierce Liquor on Sherman Avenue and Kwik Trip on Milwaukie Street. These fall under the jurisdiction of other municipalities that allow beer sales until midnight.

In Milwaukee, there are also options for purchasing beer after 9 pm, but you generally have to leave Milwaukee County. For instance, there are gas stations in Mequon and Pewaukee that sell beer until midnight.

It's important to be aware of the local laws and restrictions when purchasing alcohol in Wisconsin, as they can vary significantly from one place to another.

Local municipalities can further restrict retail sales of alcohol

Wisconsin's alcohol laws are governed by both statewide statutes and local ordinances. State law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am, and beer between midnight and 6 am. However, local municipalities can further restrict retail sales of alcohol or even ban the issuance of retail liquor licenses altogether. Local laws often prohibit the sale of beer after 9 pm.

The ability of local municipalities to restrict alcohol sales dates back to the early history of the state. When Wisconsin became a state, settlers from the eastern US took issue with the consumption of alcohol by German immigrants on Sundays and the prevalence of alcoholism. The Wisconsin legislature passed a law in 1849 that made liquor sellers liable for the costs incurred by local governments in supporting alcoholics. In 1859, the state prohibited liquor sales on Sundays.

Alcohol regulation was further tightened in 1872 with the passage of the Graham Law, which prohibited drunkenness and the sale of alcohol to minors, and required liquor sellers to post a bond of $2,000. German-Americans fought this law and were able to elect a more sympathetic legislature in 1874, which passed less restrictive laws that lowered the bond to $500, allowed Sunday liquor sales, and created safe havens for liquor sellers.

Even during Prohibition (1920-1933), Wisconsin created workarounds. In 1926, voters approved a referendum allowing the manufacture of beer, and the state repealed its law enforcing Prohibition in 1929. Wisconsin was the second state to ratify the Twenty-first Amendment, which ended Prohibition, on April 25, 1933.

Today, local municipalities in Wisconsin continue to have the power to restrict or ban the sale of alcohol within their jurisdictions. At least two municipalities, Sparta and Ephraim, prohibited the retail sale of alcohol until recently. In 2014, voters in Sparta passed a referendum to allow the sale of beer and wine in groceries and convenience stores, while Ephraim followed suit in 2016.

Bars are exempt from the 9 pm rule

In Wisconsin, state law prohibits the retail sale of liquor and wine between 9 pm and 6 am, and beer between midnight and 6 am. However, bars are exempt from this rule, and can remain open until 2 am from Sunday to Thursday, and 2:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. On New Year's Eve, there is no required closing time for bars.

While state law sets the earliest time that alcohol sales can end, local municipalities can further restrict retail sales of alcohol, or ban the issuance of retail liquor licenses altogether. Local ordinances often prohibit retail beer sales after 9 pm, but some areas have been known to sell beer until midnight.

For example, in Dane County, liquor can be purchased for on-site consumption after 9 pm at a Class B licensee. In the Madison area, beer can be purchased until midnight from Vic Pierce Liquor on Sherman Ave (in Maple Bluff, technically not in Madison) and Kwik Trip on Milwaukie Street (in the Town of Burke). In Milwaukee, beer can be purchased until midnight from Kwik Trip in Mequon (outside of Milwaukee County).

Some gas stations sell beer after 9 pm

In Wisconsin, state law prohibits the retail sale of beer between midnight and 6 a.m. However, local municipalities can further restrict retail sales of alcohol, and many prohibit the sale of beer after 9 p.m.

Some gas stations in Wisconsin sell beer after 9 p.m. For example, the Kwik Trip on Milwaukee Street in Madison sells malt beverages until midnight, but no liquor or wine after 9 p.m. Similarly, the Kwik Trip in Mequon, just outside Milwaukee, sells beer until midnight. Another gas station, the BP on Highway 19 between Sun Prairie and Windsor, also sells beer after 9 p.m.

However, it's important to note that these gas stations may be located in areas with less restrictive local ordinances regarding alcohol sales. It's always a good idea to check the specific regulations in your area, as they can vary from city to city.

Additionally, some bars in Wisconsin will sell you beer to-go after 9 p.m., although they may charge a markup. Again, this may depend on the specific licensing and regulations in each municipality.

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