The Best Beer-Buying Spots In New York

If you're looking to buy beer in New York, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the legal drinking age in the state is 21, and it is illegal for anyone under that age to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol. New York has specific laws governing the sale and consumption of alcohol, including the hours during which alcohol can be sold and served. In New York County, alcohol can be sold for on-premises consumption from 8 am to 4 am on weekdays and 10 am to 4 am on Sundays. Grocery and convenience stores are allowed to sell beer for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day on weekdays, while liquor stores can sell liquor and wine from 8 am to midnight on weekdays and 10 am to 10 pm on Sundays.

When it comes to where to buy beer in New York, you have several options. You can purchase beer from grocery and convenience stores, as well as liquor and wine stores. Additionally, there are many dedicated beer stores and bottle shops located throughout the city, offering a wide variety of craft beers, IPAs, lagers, and more. Some popular bottle shops in New York City include Top Hops Beer Shop, St. Gambrinus Beer Shoppe, Alphabet City Beer Co., and City Swiggers. These shops often provide a unique selection of beers, tasting events, and beer education.

Beer in bars and taverns

In New York, alcohol may be served for on-site consumption in bars and taverns during the following hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Sundays. These hours were designed to accommodate New York City nightlife and late-night workers, with some upstate areas retaining the 4:00 a.m. closing time. Individual counties are free to set earlier closing times, with some doing so. For example, bars in Binghamton close at 3:00 a.m., while those in Syracuse, Plattsburgh, Oneonta, Rochester, and Watertown close at 2:00 a.m. Elmira, Geneva, and Ithaca have some of the earliest closing times in the state, with bars closing at 1:00 a.m.

There are only four hours, from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and six hours, from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, when alcohol may not be served in New York.

The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) and its agency arm, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC), were established in 1934 to regulate and control the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the state. The SLA authorises establishments to sell alcohol for on-site consumption within specific hours, with some counties adjusting these hours.

While the SLA does not permit patrons to bring their own beverages to licensed establishments, an exception is made for establishments with fewer than 20 seats. Additionally, the SLA cannot take direct action against unlicensed establishments unless they are applying for or plan to apply for a liquor license in the future.

New York City's unique nightlife and late-night work culture have influenced the state's alcohol laws, with specific hours designated for the sale and consumption of alcohol in bars and taverns. These laws are enforced by the NYSLA and DABC, ensuring that establishments comply with regulations while providing flexibility to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Beer in grocery and convenience stores

Beer is widely available in grocery and convenience stores across New York. Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer at any time except between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sundays. This law was changed in the mid-2000s, when beer sales were prohibited before noon on Sundays. Now, counties can adjust those hours to allow for 24-hour beer sales on weekdays.

Some notable grocery and convenience stores in New York that sell beer include:

• 710 Quick Stop Beer, Groceries in Murray Hill, which offers an amazing beer selection, including rare brews.
• C & P Beer Distributor in East Williamsburg, which also sells cans of soda.
• Carmine Street Beers in West Village, known for its friendly and knowledgeable staff.
• Beer Karma in NYC, owned by Dan Lamonaca, which offers a great selection of beer to go and on tap.
• City Swiggers on the Upper East Side, which has a great selection of reliable beers and new releases from breweries.
• Top Hops Beer Shop in the Lower East Side, which has over 600 varieties of beer and a tasting bar.
• St. Gambrinus Beer Shoppe in Brooklyn, which may not have the largest selection but makes up for it with quality.
• Beer Table Pantry inside Grand Central Terminal, a small shop with a curated selection of craft and draft beers, including New York State labels.

These stores offer a convenient option for purchasing beer in New York, whether you're looking for a quick pick-up or a specific craft brew.

Beer in liquor and wine stores

Liquor stores are permitted to sell beer for off-site consumption in New York. However, there are specific hours during which beer can be sold. On weekdays, liquor and wine stores can sell beer from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., and on Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Christmas Day follows normal hours. These hours may vary by county, and some counties may allow 24-hour beer sales on certain days.

There are several notable liquor and wine stores in New York that offer a wide range of beer options. Here are some recommendations:

Top Hops Beer Shop: Located on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side, Top Hops Beer Shop offers a robust craft beer selection and a curriculum of beer education. They have a variety of highly sought-after beers and are known for their fresh releases.

St. Gambrinus Beer Shoppe: Found on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, St. Gambrinus might not have the largest selection, but they make up for it with curated choices. They offer a mix of draft, bottled, and canned beers to satisfy different preferences.

Alphabet City Beer Co.: Situated on Avenue C in the East Village, this shop is owned by Zac Mack, a knowledgeable industry veteran. Alphabet City Beer Co. carries a diverse range of beers, and it is conveniently located next to a wine bar for a complete experience.

Beer Karma: Housed in a building that has been in the owner Dan Lamonaca's family for generations, Beer Karma is one of NYC's best-kept secrets. Located on Union Avenue, it offers an excellent selection of beers to go, as well as a solid tap list.

When visiting these or other liquor and wine stores in New York, remember to adhere to the legal drinking age and consumption laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Buying beer in New York City

The sale of alcohol in New York is governed by a set of laws specific to manufacturing, purchasing, serving, selling, and consuming alcohol in the state. These laws determine the legal drinking age, the driving under the influence limit, liquor license requirements, and more.

Where to Buy Beer in NYC

You can buy beer in New York City at grocery and convenience stores, liquor and wine stores, and bars and taverns. Beer may be sold for off-premises consumption in New York County 24 hours a day on weekdays and on Christmas Day. On Sundays, beer sales are prohibited from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Top Hops Beer Shop

Located on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side, Top Hops Beer Shop offers a robust craft beer education curriculum and a wide selection of highly sought-after beers. They have over 600 varieties available to purchase, as well as a tasting bar and beer-centric events.

City Swiggers

An Upper East Side staple, City Swiggers is stocked with a great selection of reliable beers and fresh releases from breweries like Barrier, Grimm, and Interboro.

St. Gambrinus Beer Shoppe

Named after the patron saint of beers, this Brooklyn bottle shop offers a curated list of draft beers, bottles, and cans. They may not have the largest selection, but they make up for it with quality.

Alphabet City Beer Co.

Located on Avenue C in the East Village, Alphabet City Beer Co. is owned by Zac Mack, who is extremely knowledgeable about beer. They have 12 beers on tap, over 350 brews in bottles, and a meat and cheese counter.

Beer Karma

Housed in a building that has been in owner Dan Lamonaca's family for generations, Beer Karma offers a great selection of beers to go and on tap.

New Beer Distributors

A no-frills warehouse space in the Lower East Side, New Beer Distributors offers low prices and endless rows of brews, divided by country, with many single bottles available for purchase.

Honorable Mentions

Other notable spots to buy beer in NYC include Beer Boutique, Beer Table, Carmine Street Beers, and Murray's Cheese Shop.

Buying beer in New York State

New York State has a number of laws that govern the sale and consumption of alcohol. These laws determine the state's legal drinking age, the driving under the influence limit, liquor license requirements, and server training, among other things. The state's Liquor Authority and its agency arm, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, were established in 1934 to regulate and control the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the state.

When it comes to buying beer in New York State, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the hours during which beer can be sold vary depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment. For example, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer at any time except from 3 am to 8 am on Sundays. Liquor and wine stores are not allowed to sell beer during these hours on Sundays, but they are also subject to additional restrictions during the week. On weekdays, liquor and wine stores can only sell beer between 8 am and 12 am.

There are also some restrictions on where you can buy beer in New York State. Only liquor stores may obtain a license to sell liquor for off-premises consumption. Grocery and drug stores may obtain a license to sell beer alone or beer and "wine products" (but not wine). Minors must be accompanied by an adult when visiting a liquor store, and it is illegal for those under 21 to buy or attempt to buy alcohol, even if they are adults aged 18, 19, or 20.

If you're looking for a place to buy beer in New York State, there are plenty of options. Here are some recommendations for beer stores in New York City:

• Top Hops Beer Shop (Lower East Side)
• New Beer Distributors (Lower East Side)
• St. Gambrinus Beer Shoppe (Boerum Hill)
• Alphabet City Beer Co. (East Village)
• Triboro Beverage (Astoria)
• City Swiggers (Upper East Side)
• Beer Table (various locations)
• Carmine Street Beers (West Village)
• Murray's Cheese Shop (various locations)

These stores offer a wide variety of beers, from local craft brews to international labels, and many also host events and offer snacks to pair with your beer.

Frequently asked questions