What time can you buy beer in New York State?

Answered by Cody Janus

In New York State, the regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol can be a bit complex, but I’ll do my best to provide you with a detailed answer on what time you can buy beer. The regulations differ depending on the type of establishment and the day of the week.

For liquor/wine stores, you can purchase beer from Monday to Saturday until midnight. This means that these stores can stay open and sell alcohol until the clock strikes twelve on those days. However, on Sundays, the sale of beer is restricted to a specific time frame. Liquor/wine stores are only permitted to sell beer from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Now, let’s shift our focus to grocery stores and drug stores. These establishments have their own set of rules when it comes to selling beer. On Sundays, they are not allowed to sell beer during the early morning hours, specifically from 3:00 a.m. until noon. After noon, grocery and drug stores can resume selling beer until their usual closing time.

It’s important to note that these regulations are set by the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) and are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to check with the specific store you plan on visiting to ensure they are following the current regulations.

Personally, I have encountered situations where I wanted to purchase beer on a Sunday morning and was unable to do so due to the restrictions. It can be frustrating when you have plans or gatherings that involve beer, but it’s essential to respect and abide by the laws in place.

To summarize, in New York State, liquor/wine stores can sell beer until midnight from Monday to Saturday and from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. Grocery stores and drug stores cannot sell beer on Sunday mornings from 3:00 a.m. until noon, but can resume sales after noon until their usual closing time. It’s always a good idea to double-check with the store you plan on visiting to ensure they are operating within the legal time frames.