Jenna’s request for marketing ideas for a wine shop job led to some cool ideas, but sadly most were illegal under the strict liquor laws of NYC. Liquor laws protect a variety of entities, but generally NOT the consumer. Most laws do not give consumers greater choice or lower prices. Some laws appear to offer some protection for over indulging, like Blue Laws, but often the real reason behind their continuation has little to do with preventing over consumption. Below are some of the dumbest liquor laws:
- At one point in Indiana, alcohol sales were banned on Election Day. Given the crappy candidates, I think alcohol would be a salve for the miserable results. It is still illegal in South Carolina and Kentucky.
- Tuscaloosa, Al has a ban on providing alcohol to animals in public parks. It is ok in your own backyard though.
- Massachusetts has banned happy hours. Oregon can have happy hour promotions but cannot advertise them.
- Want to buy a 6 pack of beer in Pa? You need to go to a restaurant or bar. Beer stores can only sell by the case or keg.
- In OK, you can only purchase cold beer that has an ABV of 3.2 or less. Higher than that, you must chill them yourself.
- In Arkansas, you can have a roadie if you are a passenger in a moving car.
- Washington State requires a 10,000 square foot minimum for store size to be able to sell alcohol. This was due to lobbying by Costco and large grocery chains. This was done “supposedly” to keep alcohol out of convenience stores.
- In Utah, if you are at a restaurant with a liquor license, they cannot serve you alcohol until the server determines if you are going to be ordering food.
- Also in Utah, restaurant bartenders cannot pour a drink in sight of people dining there. They must go to a separate room. This is known as the Zion Curtain.
- In the Nutmeg State, we only recently permitted alcohol sales on Sunday. Stores fought it because it has not increased sales and only serves to up expenses.
- Also in CT, stores cannot sell alcohol below a State Minimum which is calculated by figuring out base cost and delivery to store charges. Additionally, package stores cannot provide a promotional item if it has a retail value of over $5.
- Bar tabs aren’t allowed in Iowa.
- In Fairbanks, Alaska it is illegal to serve alcohol to moose.
- In Florida, 40 ouncers aren’t allowed. Alcohol must be in quantities of 32 oz or less. Or over a gallon.
- In Pullman, Il it is illegal to drink beer out out a bucket while sitting on a curb.
- In Maryland, alcohol beverage writers must be certified experts as determined by a state agency in order to receive product samples to write about, and then it can be no more than three per brand.
- In Missouri, if you are underage and taking out the recyclables from your parents booze-filled bash, you might be charged with illegal possession.
- Bars may not serve alcohol in Nebraska unless they also serve soup.
- Beer and pretzels cannot be served in North Dakota bars at the same time.
- In Ohio, the reasonably-priced brand Fat Bastard is banned to protect young children from seeing the name.
- If you live in Wisconsin and are of age but married to someone under 21, you can legally serve your spouse hooch.
- You must spit your wine out in wine tastings in Utah.
- In Texas, you cannot have more than three sips of alcohol while standing.
- Nevada has a law which bans towns from passing laws which make public intoxication illegal.
- You can get high in Colorado, but don’t think about getting drunk on a horse.
