Lucy Palmer
The laws regarding buying beer after midnight vary from state to state in the US. In some states, like California, you can buy alcohol on- or off-premises from 6 am to 2 am any day of the year. In other states, like Florida, there is a prohibition on selling alcohol between 1 am and 7 am, but counties can override this restriction. For example, in Miami-Dade County, liquor stores are allowed to be open 24/7. In Cherokee County, Georgia, it is legal to sell alcohol until 2 am, but some stores may stop selling alcohol before midnight. In New York, liquor and wine stores can operate between noon and 9 pm on Sundays, and grocers/bodegas/etc. can sell beer 24/7 except from 3 am to noon on Sundays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | This varies by state, county, and city. For example, in Cherokee County, GA, beer is sold until 2 am in Woodstock but not in Canton. In Colorado, beer is available in most retail locations every day. |
| Time | In most places, beer is sold until 2 am. In some places, it is sold until midnight or 1 am. In other places, it is sold until 10 pm or 11 pm. |
| Day | In some places, beer is sold every day of the week. In other places, it is not sold on Sundays or certain holidays. |
| Type of Business | Beer is sold at bars, restaurants, breweries, retail liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. |
| Type of Alcohol | Beer, wine, and liquor are the types of alcohol available. |
| Container | Beer is sold in cans, bottles, on draft, or in growlers. |
| Volume | Beer is sold by the case, in 6-packs, 12-packs, or singles. |
| ABV | In some places, only beer below a certain ABV is sold. In other places, beer of any ABV is available. |
| Age | The minimum drinking age is 21. In some states, minors can drink with their parents. |
What You'll Learn
Gas stations and convenience stores that sell beer after midnight
Gas stations and convenience stores are a great option for purchasing beer after midnight, although the specific closing times can vary by state and even county. In Colorado, for instance, gas stations are allowed to sell beer in cans and bottles from 8 a.m. to midnight every day. In Cherokee County, Georgia, a gas station called Racetrac was found to stop selling alcohol at midnight, while a convenience store in the same state reportedly sells beer until 2 a.m.
In Iowa, most areas sell alcohol until 2 a.m. and then resume sales at 6 a.m. In California, Connecticut, and Washington, the sale of alcohol is prohibited between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., although cities and counties can impose additional restrictions. Similarly, in Florida, the sale of alcohol is banned between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., unless the county overrides this restriction, as is the case in Miami-Dade County, where liquor stores are open 24/7.
In Wisconsin, many jurisdictions allow the sale of beer until midnight, and in New York, some counties restrict overnight sales of beer. In Oregon, you can buy alcohol from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. any day of the year, and in Arizona, alcohol can be purchased between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day.
It's important to note that liquor laws can be complex and subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check the specific regulations in your state, county, or city.
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Buying alcohol at midnight on your 21st birthday
To ensure you don't run into any issues, it's a good idea to check the specific laws for your state and local area. Some states, like Oregon, allow you to buy alcohol at midnight on your 21st birthday as long as it is after 12:01 am. However, some retailers may have their own policies regarding alcohol sales after midnight, so it's always good to check beforehand.
If you plan to go to a 24-hour store like Walmart, it's worth noting that while some people have reported being able to purchase alcohol after midnight without issue, others have shared mixed experiences. It may depend on the specific location and the employee working at the time. If you encounter a problem, you can always try reminding the employee of the time and asking to speak to a manager.
Keep in mind that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, and giving alcohol to anyone under that age is illegal. Always carry a valid ID with your birth date clearly mentioned, as retailers may input your birth date from your license into their system to ensure you are of legal age.
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Local liquor laws
In general, alcohol selling hours are dictated by the premises or business type, the type of alcohol, and the day of the week. Some states and local jurisdictions have additional restrictions on top of those specified by state law. For example, in Cherokee County, Georgia, it is legal to sell alcohol until 2 am, but some businesses in the county choose to stop selling alcohol as early as 11:45 pm.
- Alabama: Alcohol can be purchased at state liquor stores from Monday to Saturday between 9 am and 9 pm. Grocery stores and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am, and on-premise locations can sell until 2 am. However, alcohol sales are prohibited in several counties known as dry counties.
- Alaska: State liquor law allows sales between 8 am and 5 am any day of the week, but local jurisdictions may have more restrictive laws.
- Arizona: Alcohol can be purchased between 6 am and 2 am every day of the year.
- Arkansas: The sale of alcohol is prohibited in most jurisdictions.
- California: Alcohol can be purchased on- or off-premises from 6 am to 2 am any day of the year. Cities and counties may set additional restrictions.
It is important to note that these laws can change, and the information provided here may not be fully up-to-date. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the relevant local or state websites for the most accurate and current information.
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Buying beer after midnight in New York
New York is a hub for tourism and has a vibrant nightlife, so it's no surprise that many visitors and locals want to know when and where they can buy beer. The laws regarding alcohol sales vary across the United States, and even within New York State, there are some differences in regulations. Here is a guide to buying beer after midnight in New York:
On-Premises Consumption
According to New York State Liquor Authority, alcohol may be sold for on-premises consumption during specific hours. On weekdays, that's from 8:00 am to 4:00 am, and on Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 am. Christmas Day follows the same hours as weekdays. These hours were designed to accommodate New York City's nightlife and late-night workers.
Off-Premises Consumption
If you're looking to buy beer from a store after midnight, there are a few options. Grocery and convenience stores in some counties, like Rensselaer, Schenectady, Greene, Montgomery, and Albany, sell beer 24 hours a day. In these counties, you can buy beer at any time of day, even after midnight.
For other counties, there are still options for buying beer after midnight, but the hours vary. Beer can be purchased from most retailers 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, there is a restricted window, and beer sales are prohibited from 3:00 am to 8:00 am.
Liquor stores have different hours and typically close at midnight. They can sell beer 24 hours a day if that is all they sell. However, if they also sell liquor and wine, their hours will be restricted by those laws, and they can only sell beer until midnight from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, liquor stores can sell beer from noon to 9:00 pm.
Other Options
If you're looking for a late-night beer, you might also want to try a bodega, which may have fewer qualms about religious rules and can be open 24/7. Additionally, some chain stores like Walgreens, Duane Reade, or CVS may sell beer after midnight, although it depends on the individual store's policy.
Dry Towns
It's important to note that individual towns and cities in New York State can choose to be dry, meaning they forbid any on-premises or off-premises alcohol sales. As of 2024, there are six dry towns in the state, all in rural areas upstate: Caneadea, Clymer, Lapeer, Orwell, Fremont, Jasper, and Berkshire.
Age Restrictions
Lastly, it is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages like beer to anyone below the legal drinking age. In New York, the minimum drinking age is 21, and proper identification is required to verify age.
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Buying alcohol after midnight in different US states
The laws regarding the purchase of alcohol vary widely across the United States, and even within individual states, there can be discrepancies between counties and cities. For example, in some states, there are ''dry counties'' where alcohol is not sold at all, while in others, alcohol can be purchased 24 hours a day.
In general, alcohol selling hours are dictated by the premises or business type, the type of alcohol, and the day of the week. On-premises sales refer to drinks purchased in restaurants and bars, while off-premises sales refer to bottles or cans bought at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. Some states also set hours based on the alcohol type, with stronger drinks being more tightly restricted.
- Alabama: Alcohol can be purchased at state liquor stores from Monday to Saturday between 9 am and 9 pm. Grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am, and on-premise locations can sell until 2 am. However, several counties, known as dry counties, prohibit alcohol sales.
- Alaska: State liquor law allows sales between 8 am and 5 am daily. However, local jurisdictions may have more restrictive laws.
- Arizona: Alcohol can be purchased between 6 am and 2 am every day.
- California: Alcohol can be purchased on- or off-premises from 6 am to 2 am any day of the year. Cities and counties can impose additional restrictions.
- Colorado: Beer can be purchased from bars, restaurants, and breweries from 7 am to 2 am. Liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations sell beer from 8 am to midnight.
- Florida: State liquor laws prohibit on- and off-premises sales between 1 am and 7 am. However, counties can override this restriction. For example, liquor stores in Miami-Dade County are allowed to be open 24/7.
- Georgia: The only state-wide rule is that Sunday off-premises sales are prohibited from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Other liquor laws are set by local jurisdictions.
- Illinois: In some counties, bars are open 24 hours, while in others, alcohol can be purchased from 7 am to 3 am, seven days a week.
- Iowa: Alcohol selling hours run from 8 am to 2 am on Sundays and 6 am to 2 am on weekdays.
- Kentucky: While there are state liquor laws related to alcohol selling hours, there are numerous exceptions, so it's best to check with the local jurisdiction.
- Maryland: Liquor laws vary by local jurisdiction, with some prohibiting Sunday alcohol sales.
- Massachusetts: Alcohol sales are prohibited on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Cities and towns can restrict on-premises sales before 11 am or after 11 pm.
- Michigan: Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas Day until noon. On New Year's Eve, sales are extended until 4 am.
- Nevada: Unless in the dry township of Penaca, alcohol sales are allowed at any time, every day.
- New York: Liquor stores are typically open from wine and spirits sales, and many counties restrict hours further. Some restrict overnight sales or Sunday morning sales of beer.
- Oregon: Alcohol can be purchased from 7 am to 2:30 am any day of the year, on- or off-premises.
- Tennessee: Alcohol sales on Sundays and holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter) are restricted to beer and wine in grocery stores. On-premises hours can be modified by local jurisdictions.
- Texas: Alcohol sales are restricted from 2 am to 6 am, and if a holiday falls on a Sunday, liquor stores must remain closed the following Monday.
- Utah: State liquor laws change frequently, but generally, alcohol is sold at restaurants from 11 am to between 5 pm and 10 pm.
- Virginia: Alcohol can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am daily, with an extra hour allowed on New Year's Eve. Some Virginia jurisdictions restrict alcohol sales on Sundays.
- Washington: Alcohol can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am, unless restricted by the local government.
It is important to note that these laws can change, and for the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check state or local liquor authority websites.
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Frequently asked questions
In Colorado, beer is available for purchase at bars, restaurants, and breweries until 2 a.m. Liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations sell beer until midnight.
Yes, it depends on the state and local laws. For example, in Alaska, beer can be sold between 8 a.m. and 5 a.m. the next day. Some counties in Florida, like Miami-Dade, also allow 24/7 beer sales.
Yes, it depends on the local laws of the area. For instance, in Cherokee County, Georgia, some cities like Canton stop selling beer after midnight, while others like Woodstock do not.
