FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in California – What is the alcohol tax in California? California has a general sales tax of 6% that applies to all purchases of beer, wine, and spirits. Vendors selling liquor are also subject to a state and federal excise tax.
- Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in CA?
- Yes, you can buy alcohol in grocery stores that are licensed to sell in the state of California.
- Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in California?
- Yes, you can buy wine and beer in gas stations in the state of CA but there are marketing restrictions within the gas stations.
- Can you buy alcohol on Sunday in CA?
- Yes, you can buy alcoholic beverages on Sundays in California.
- Does California allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
Yes and no. In California, they will ship wine directly to consumers but shipping beer and liquor is prohibited.
- What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in California?
- The sale of alcohol is allowed between the hours of 6 AM and 2 AM 7 days a week.
- Can you order alcohol to go in California?
- Yes, you can order alcohol to go in the state of California.
- Where in California can buy alcohol off-premise?
You can buy alcohol off-premise in CA at any business location that has a license to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption. The condition is that they must be sold in packages that were made by the manufacturers. Where can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption in CA? You can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption at multiple locations throughout the state.
Different locations such as restaurants, bars, taverns, night clubs, veteran’s clubs, licensed trains, licensed boats, and licensed airlines. You can also buy if you’re a passenger of a licensed vessel of more than 1000 tons. There are other locations such as licensed hospitals, convalescent homes or rest homes, nonprofit theatres, and bed and breakfast inns as well.
(Data Sources – ) Park Street connects suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors with one another. We also provide various types of services such as,, and more, giving brand owners a chance to focus on marketing their business while we do the rest! To learn more about the services provided, please fill out the form below and a member of our client development team will reach out to you.
Contents
- 1 What time does CVS start selling alcohol in California?
- 2 Can you buy alcohol at 5am in California?
- 3 Can you drink in public in California?
- 4 Does California have open carry alcohol?
- 5 Can you buy alcohol to go in California?
- 6 Can you sell alcohol to go in California?
- 7 When can you drink in California?
What time does alcohol open in California?
What are the lawful hours for retail sale of alcoholic beverages? – From 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. of the following day. In other words, it is unlawful to sell alcoholic beverages either by the drink or by the package, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of the same day.
If grounds exist for the denial of an application for a license or where a protest against the issuance of a license is filed and if ABC finds that those grounds may be removed by imposition of those conditions; Where findings are made by ABC which would justify a suspension or revocation of a license, and where the imposition of a condition is reasonably related to those findings. In the case of a suspension, the conditions may be in lieu of or in addition to the suspension; Where ABC issues an order suspending or revoking only a portion of the privileges to be exercised under the license; Where findings are made by ABC that the licensee has failed to correct objectionable conditions within a reasonable time after receipt of notice to make corrections given pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 24200,
Can you buy alcohol before 12 in California?
FAQs about Alcohol Sales in California – What time do they stop selling alcohol in California? Businesses stop selling alcohol at 2 a.m., according to California alcohol laws, Most bars stop serving between 1:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. but allow you to finish your drink prior to 2 p.m.
- Alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed from 6 a.m. – 2 a.m.
- At licensed liquor establishments.
- How early can you buy alcohol in California? Alcohol sold in a grocery or liquor store is classified as off-premise.
- Off-premise alcohol sales can occur from 6 a.m. – 2 a.m.
- From Sunday to Saturday in California.
What time can I buy beer in California? Liquor and beer have the same sales hours in California. Beer can be purchased from 6 a.m. – 2 a.m. from Sunday to Saturday. Are there restrictions on buying alcohol on Sundays in California? In California, there are no restrictions for buying alcohol on Sundays.
- Does the time change mean an extra hour of drinking? In California, you do not lose or gain an extra hour of drinking on the day of a time change.
- On the day that a time change occurs from Pacific standard time to Pacific daylight saving time, or back again to Pacific standard time, “2 o’clock a.m.” means two hours after midnight of the day preceding the day such change occurs.
Who regulates California’s liquor laws? California’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) regulates alcohol sales in California. This means the power is at the state level rather than at the local level.
What time does CVS start selling alcohol in California?
What Time Does CVS Sell Alcohol? – Different CVS stores sell alcohol according to the applicable state laws. In some states, you may buy alcohol at a CVS store during regular business hours. However, some states restrict the times you can sell or buy alcohol. Below is a table showing when you can purchase alcohol at CVS stores in different States and the applicable limitations.
State | Permitted alcohol sale hours | Additional Limitations |
Arizona | 6 am – 2 am | None |
California | 6 am – 1 pm | None |
Colorado | 8 am – 12 am | None |
Connecticut | 8 am – 10 am | Until 6 pm on Sundays |
Delaware | 9 am – 1 am | 12 pm – 8 pm on Sunday |
District of Columbia | 9 am – 12 am | None |
Florida | 7 am – 12 am | Alcohol limits of 32 ounces |
Georgia | Varies by county | Most counties start at noon |
Idaho | 6 am – 1 am | None |
Illinois | Varies by city | None |
Indiana | 7 am – 3 am | 12 pm – 8 pm on Sundays Grocery stores are not allowed to sell beer |
Kansas | 9 am – 11 pm | Alcohol sales start at noon on Sundays |
Kentucky | 6 am – 2 am | 1 pm – 2 am on Sundays |
Louisiana | 12 am – 2 am | Various counties have different restrictions for Sundays |
Maine | 6 am – 1 am | 9 am – 1 am on Sundays |
Maryland | Varies by county | Garret and Baltimore counties don’t permit alcohol sales on Sundays |
Massachusetts | 8 am – 11 pm | 10 am – 11 pm on Sundays |
Michigan | 7 am – 2 am | 12 pm – 2 am on Sundays |
Missouri | 6 am – 1 am | 9 am – 12 am on Sundays |
Nevada | Open for 24 hours | None |
New Hampshire | 6 am – 11.45 pm | None |
New Jersey | 9 am – 10 pm | Sale of alcohol restricted in various cities on Sundays. No sale in dry counties |
New York | 8 am – 12 pm. Beer sold for 24 hours | 12 pm – 9 pm on Sundays |
North Carolina | 9 am – 9 pm | 12 pm – 9 pm on Sundays |
Ohio | 5:30 am – 1 am | None |
Oklahoma | 10 am – 9 pm | No alcohol sales on Sundays |
Oregon | 7 am – 2:30 am | None |
Pennsylvania | 9 am – 10 pm | 11 am – 7 pm on Sundays |
Rhode Island | 9 am – 10 pm | 10 am – 6 pm on Sundays |
South Carolina | 9 am – 7 pm | Various restrictions on Sundays |
Tennessee | 8 am – 11 pm | No sale of alcohol on Sundays and Thanksgiving Day |
Texas | 7 am – 12 am | 12 pm – 12 am on Sundays Different counties have various laws |
Utah | 11 am – 10 pm | CVS stores have limited alcohol sales, especially on Sundays |
Vermont | 6 am – 12 am | 8 am – 10 pm on Sundays |
Virginia | 6 am – 12 am | None |
Washington | 6 am – 2 am | None |
West Virginia | 7 am – 2 am for beer and wine; 8 am – 12 am for liquor | Beer sold from 1 pm – 2 am on Sundays |
Wisconsin | 6 am – 9 pm for liquor; 6 am – 12 am for alcohol and wine | None |
Can you buy alcohol at 7am in California?
FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in California – What is the alcohol tax in California? California has a general sales tax of 6% that applies to all purchases of beer, wine, and spirits. Vendors selling liquor are also subject to a state and federal excise tax.
- Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in CA?
- Yes, you can buy alcohol in grocery stores that are licensed to sell in the state of California.
- Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in California?
- Yes, you can buy wine and beer in gas stations in the state of CA but there are marketing restrictions within the gas stations.
- Can you buy alcohol on Sunday in CA?
- Yes, you can buy alcoholic beverages on Sundays in California.
- Does California allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
Yes and no. In California, they will ship wine directly to consumers but shipping beer and liquor is prohibited.
- What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in California?
- The sale of alcohol is allowed between the hours of 6 AM and 2 AM 7 days a week.
- Can you order alcohol to go in California?
- Yes, you can order alcohol to go in the state of California.
- Where in California can buy alcohol off-premise?
You can buy alcohol off-premise in CA at any business location that has a license to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption. The condition is that they must be sold in packages that were made by the manufacturers. Where can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption in CA? You can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption at multiple locations throughout the state.
- Different locations such as restaurants, bars, taverns, night clubs, veteran’s clubs, licensed trains, licensed boats, and licensed airlines.
- You can also buy if you’re a passenger of a licensed vessel of more than 1000 tons.
- There are other locations such as licensed hospitals, convalescent homes or rest homes, nonprofit theatres, and bed and breakfast inns as well.
(Data Sources – ) Park Street connects suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors with one another. We also provide various types of services such as,, and more, giving brand owners a chance to focus on marketing their business while we do the rest! To learn more about the services provided, please fill out the form below and a member of our client development team will reach out to you.
Can you buy alcohol at 5am in California?
California: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? – In California, you can buy alcohol, on- or off-premises, 6am to 2am any day of the year. Cities and counties can set additional restrictions.
How late does Los Angeles sell alcohol?
Off-premise alcohol sales can occur from 6 – 2 a.m. from Sunday to Saturday in California. What time can I buy beer in California? Liquor and beer have the same sales hours in California. Beer can be purchased from 6 – 2 a.m. from Sunday to Saturday.
What is the alcohol restriction in California?
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits – When you consume alcohol, traces of it enter your bloodstream. Your BAC measures how much alcohol is present in your bloodstream. It is illegal for you to drive if you have a BAC of:
0.08% or higher if you are over 21 years old.0.01% or higher if you are under 21 years old.0.01% or higher at any age if you are on DUI probation.0.04% or higher if you drive a vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license.0.04% or higher if you are driving a passenger for hire.
If you drive with an illegal BAC, a law enforcement officer can charge you with DUI. Even if your BAC is below legal limits, that does not mean it is safe for you to drive. Almost everyone feels negative effects of alcohol, even at levels lower than the legal limit. It is illegal to drink alcohol or take drugs when you are operating a boat, jet ski, water skis, aquaplane, or similar vessels. Learn more in the California Harbors and Navigation Code,
Can you drink in public in California?
Like most states, California has prohibited the possession and consumption of an open container of alcohol in public places as well as in automobiles. If a person has an open container is on the streets, they may only be given a ticket. However, if an open container is in a car, the penalties are much more severe.
Can you pour beer at 18 in California?
General Laws – Information in the article comes directly from the California Alcohol Beverage Commission website. The information in this article is also of a very general nature and more specific and in-depth interpretations of the laws can be found on the state website and on other legal websites associated with the State of California.
Definition of an alcoholic beverage : According to state statutes, beverages that contain less than one-half of 1 percent alcohol are not considered to be alcoholic beverages. Legal age to drink alcohol : The legal age is 21 years old. Legal age to serve alcohol : For bartenders and servers, the legal age is 21 years of age. To serve alcohol in a legitimate restaurant, or where the primary purpose of the establishment is to serve food and alcohol is an incidental part of the overall duties of the server, the legal age is 18. Bartenders are defined by the state as individuals who primarily mix and serve alcoholic beverages; cocktail servers are defined as individuals whose primary purpose is to serve alcoholic beverages. These definitions can obviously be a bit vague in some establishments, but typically when the primary purpose of the establishment is to serve alcohol, only individuals who are 21 can serve it. Legal age to pour alcohol : The legal age for bartenders and cocktail servers is 21. When alcohol is served in a place where the primary service is food, and alcohol is an incidental part of the server’s overall duties, individuals 18 and over can pour alcohol. The same designations listed above apply here. Laws regarding training for individuals serving alcoholic beverages : There appear to be no state laws that regulate training for individuals who serve alcohol. Some specific municipalities may have specific regulations regarding server training. Maximum level of alcohol per drink : There are no state requirements. Maximum number of drinks one can serve at one time : There are no state requirements. General issues regarding minors and the sale of alcohol : It is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to any person under the age of 21, and these persons are not allowed to enter any establishment where the primary purpose of the establishment is to sell alcohol unless they are entering it for some lawful business transaction. These are what the state refers to as green-colored ABC licenses. Pink-colored licenses are given to establishments where the primary purpose of the establishment is not the sale of alcohol but alcohol is sold there; minors are allowed to be present in these establishments.
Host liability issues : According to state laws, professional establishments are generally not held liable for damage occurring as a result of an intoxicated adult who procured alcohol at a restaurant or bar (though these are subject to interpretation and legal situations). Private individuals serving alcohol appear to be offered the same rather general protections. However, both professional establishments and private hosts can be held liable for serving alcohol to minors. Some of the liability laws listed on the state website include:
Sale to an intoxicated person: maximum penalty of $1,000 and/or six months in county jail Sale of alcohol to a habitual drunkard (obviously defined by the courts): maximum penalty of $1,000 and/or six months in county jail Sale of alcohol during prohibited hours: maximum fine of $1,000 and/or six months in county jail Sale to minors: maximum fine of $250 and/or 24-32 hours of community service Sale to minors second offense: maximum fine of $500 and/or 36-48 hours of community service Furnishing alcohol to a minor: fines of up to $1,000 and 24 hours community service Furnishing alcohol to a minor that results in great bodily injury or death: minimum six months in jail and/or maximum $1,000 fine Minor in a public area such as a bar: penalty for licensee is a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or six months in county jail; penalty for the minor is a fine of not less than $200
Sales of alcohol : Sales of alcohol are permitted between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. the next day unless there are certain special restrictions. This applies to both retail stores and other establishments (e.g., bars and restaurants). Identification that is acceptable for the purchase of alcohol : The State Regulatory Committee recommends that only bona fide and valid government agency-issued identification cards that have the person’s name, photograph, date of birth, and physical description, and are valid (have not expired), be accepted. There is no mandatory designation of a recommended age to card an individual (e.g., the individual appears to be at a specific age or younger). Specials and happy hour regulations : According to the statutes, it is illegal to offer free drinks, two-for-one drink specials, or other similar values relating to alcohol sales. The establishment can offer food and drink combination specials as long as the alcoholic drink is not free and the price of the meal alone is less than the price of the meal and the alcoholic drink together.
Does California have open carry alcohol?
In other words, in California, it is illegal to have any ‘open’ container of alcohol in your vehicle, whether you are drinking it or if there is no longer any alcohol in the container. If law enforcement officers discover any open container in your car when they pull you over, you could face charges under VC 23222.
Can you buy alcohol to go in California?
ABC’s specified conditions for the sale of sealed non-alcoholic – As for those specified conditions, here is what authorized licensees need to do to sell non-manufacturer-sealed alcoholic beverages, according to the ABC website:
The alcoholic beverages must be ordered and picked up in person by the consumer directly from the licensee (they cannot be delivered to the consumer away from the licensed premises). The ordering consumer must present a valid ID to verify the legal alcohol consumption age and that they are the consumer who placed the order.The alcoholic beverage must be packaged in a container with a secure lid or cap that is sealed in a manner designed to prevent consumption without the removal of the lid or cap breaking the seal.Wine can only be sold in single-serve containers, meaning containers that hold between 187 milliliters and 355 milliliters (between 6.3 and 12 ounces).Mixed drinks and cocktails sold for off-sale consumption cannot contain more than 4.5 ounces of distilled spirits per drink.Alcoholic beverages in a non-manufacturer sealed container can only be sold in conjunction with a meal. There is a limit of 2 to-go drinks that are not in a manufacturer-sealed container per individual meal.The alcoholic beverage container must be clearly and conspicuously labeled or otherwise identified as containing alcohol so that it is easily identified as containing an alcoholic beverage. A specified warning sign must be posted on the premises, online, or wherever necessary to ensure the consumer purchasing the alcoholic beverages is given notice of open container laws.The licensee shall notify ABC of their intent to sell non-manufacturer sealed-to-go containers of alcoholic beverages prior to exercising the privileges.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. : What happened to California’s to-go alcohol law?
Can you sell alcohol to go in California?
THE STATE OF TO-GO BOOZE IN CALIFORNIA If you have an on-sale liquor license in California, knowing whether or what alcohol you can sell “to-go” is even more confusing now than it was before Covid. During the pandemic, the California ABC relaxed rules and allowed restaurants and bars to exercise privileges – like sell sealed bottles to-go and pre-mixed cocktails or glasses of wine to-go – that weren’t allowed before.
Then, as of January 1, 2022, some allowances were taken away, while others were made permanent (by way of new laws).So as an ABC-licensed California restaurant or bar, what can you do, and what can’t you do, now? First, it’s important to remember that all privileges depend on the exact license type you hold.
A short description each license type can be found on the CA ABC’s website, Also, no on-sale licensee is required to make sales for off-premises consumption; that’s up to each retail licensee to decide. That’s the difference between a privilege (you are permitted to do something) and a requirement (you must do something – such as post mandatory signs in your establishment).
- What’s New: Expanded Off-Sale and Drinks To-Go Privileges
- As of January 1, 2022, some restaurants, aka “” (with ABC license types 41, 47, or 75) and some alcohol manufacturers (that hold ABC license types 01, 02, 23, or 74) with bona fide eating places on their premises may sell alcohol to go, meaning that a consumer may place an order in person or over the phone or Internet and come pick it up.
- Here is what these license types may do now (at least until 1/1/27), unless the ABC (usually because of a protest or at the request of local law enforcement) has put a condition on their license that prevents any of these activities:
- Sell manufacturer-sealed containers of spirits for off-premises consumption, so long as the order is picked up by the purchaser at the licensed premises (NO delivery allowed).
- Sell cocktails and wine not in manufacturer-sealed containers, i.e., “cocktails to-go”, so long as they are packaged in a container with a secure lid or cap sealed in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap by breaking the seal, and the beverages are ordered and picked up by the purchaser (NO delivery allowed). Before starting to sell drinks to go, the licensee MUST notify the ABC, which can be done online, Rules for drinks to-go:
o If wine, the container size must be between 187 milliliters and 355 milliliters (this is called a “single-serve” container). o If spirits are in the drink, the maximum amount of spirits allowed is 4.5 oz.
- o Any wine or cocktail to go may only be sold WITH a bona fide meal.
- o No beer may be sold this way; beer may only be sold in manufacturer-sealed containers.
- o The to-go container is conspicuously labeled or otherwise identified as containing an alcoholic beverage.
- o The licensee must post in multiple locations – inside the premises, online if applicable, and anywhere else would be reasonable to ensure the purchaser sees it:
” Alcoholic beverages that are packaged by this establishment are open containers and shall not be transported in a motor vehicle except in the vehicle’s trunk or, if there is no trunk, the containers shall be kept in some other area of the vehicle that is not normally occupied by the driver or passengers.
This does not include a utility compartment or glove compartment (See Vehicle Code Section 23225). Additionally, these beverages shall not be consumed in public or in any other area where open containers are prohibited by law.” What Was Already Allowed and Still Is: On-Sale Retailers’ Sales for Off-Premise Consumption Some off-sale and delivery privileges were already allowed for on-sale license holders before Covid.
Those privileges are still allowed. Specifically, on-sale licenses such as ABC types 41 ( restaurant/beer and wine ), 42 ( bar/beer and wine ), 47 ( restaurant/beer, wine, and spirits ) and 48 ( bar/beer, wine, and spirits ) may sell alcoholic beverages – except for spirits – in manufacturer-sealed containers for off-sale consumption and for delivery.
- In other words, these license types may sell bottles and cans of wine, beer, and any other beverage their license allows them to sell (like cider or sake, but not spirits) to a customer to take home, pick up, or have delivered.
- This privilege does NOT extend to daily on-sale licenses, which are issued by the ABC for specific events only.
Although alcohol sold under this privilege may be delivered to consumers within California, alcohol delivery, like everything else in this industry, is a complex topic deserving of multiple blog posts. The ABC website describes some of the delivery issues to be aware of And as outlined in the “What’s New” section above, spirits, though not eligible for delivery, can be sold to-go with limitations (including by restaurants with license type 47).
In addition, craft distillers (with ABC license type 74) may sell up to 2.25 liters per person per day of distilled spirits they manufactured. Again, no delivery is allowed, but curbside pickup by the purchaser is permitted. Confused yet? Don’t be. Just follow the bouncing ball in this blog post and call the ABC or your alcohol counsel if you have questions.
This blog is dedicated to occasional (and hopefully interesting) reports of state and national alcoholic beverage regulatory developments that we encounter in our practice. Booze Rules (and any comments below) are intended for informational use only and are not to be construed as legal advice.
What time are bars allowed to open in California?
California lawmakers reject a bill to extend bar hours to 4 a.m. in three cities SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers on Wednesday rejected legislation that would have allowed West Hollywood, San Francisco and Palm Springs to authorize weekend alcohol service until 4 a.m.
at bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Senate Bill 930 by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would have allowed each city to extend alcohol sales until 4 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays and until 3 a.m. all other days. Under current law, those businesses can sell alcohol until 2 a.m. “SB 930 is a local control bill that lets cities decide what nightlife works best for their communities and small businesses,” Wiener and Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) said in a statement after the bill was defeated in the Assembly.
“We are assessing whether there is a path to pass the bill off the Assembly floor.” Wiener has said the extended hours would have helped small businesses that have been struggling to get back on their feet after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that the added nightlife would have helped unify the LGBTQ communities in West Hollywood, San Francisco and Palm Springs.
Leaders in all three cities had asked to be included in the pilot program. In 2018, Wiener introduced a similar bill, which was vetoed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown. “I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem,” Brown wrote in his veto message. Wiener tried again in 2019 with a bill that would have allowed extended alcohol sales in 10 cities, but that failed to pass in the Assembly.
On Wednesday, the Assembly rejected his latest version, which had passed overwhelmingly in the Senate in May. Republicans and Democrats spoke against the bill during a debate on the Assembly floor, expressing concern that extending serving hours would lead to more alcohol-impaired drivers on the streets.
“Extending these hours of service for people to become impaired, mixed with the fatigue factor that also is an extreme threat to public safety, is asking for death. I promise you that there will be death, needless death, if we pass this bill,” said Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a retired California Highway Patrol sergeant.
Wiener and Haney called that argument “misleading.” Haney who argued in favor of the bill on the Assembly floor, said research shows no increase in drunk driving cases in states, including New York and Hawaii, where bars and nightclubs serve alcohol beyond 2 a.m.
We found that there was no correlation between states with later closing times and higher rates of drunk driving,” Haney said. “We need to reexamine our one-size-fits-all, top-down approach to nightlife in our state. It restricts business; it harms economic activity.” After the bill was defeated, Haney requested that it be allowed to come up for reconsideration later — a procedural move that offers a slim chance of success.
California allows the sale of alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. for bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Those rules have been in place for more than 80 years. : California lawmakers reject a bill to extend bar hours to 4 a.m. in three cities
Is it illegal to buy alcohol after 2 am in California?
Hours of Sale Any on-sale or off sale licensee, or agent or employee of that licensee, who sells, gives, or delivers to any persons any alcoholic beverage or any person who knowingly purchases any alcoholic beverage between the hours of 2 o’clock a.m.
When can you drink in California?
B & P Code 25665.Minors in Public Premises (On-Sale Only) – Any licensee under an on-sale license issued for public premises, as defined in Section 23039, who permits a person under the age of 21 years to enter and remain in the licensed premises without lawful business therein is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Can you buy beer at 5am in Texas?
Hours of Sale and Consumption – On-premise license or permit (e.g., bar or restaurant):
Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – midnightSaturday: 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sunday morning)Sunday: Noon – midnight (10 a.m. – noon only with the service of food)If the establishment is in a city or county legal for late hours and they have a late-hours permit, they can sell alcohol for on-premise consumption until 2 a.m. any night of the week.
Off-premise beer/wine license or permit (e.g., convenience store or grocery store):
Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – midnightSaturday: 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sunday morning)Sunday: 10 a.m. – midnightA wine-only package store that holds a beer license may not sell wine containing more than 17% alcohol by volume on a Sunday or after 10 p.m. on any day.A wine-only package store that does not hold a beer license must have the same hours of sale as a package store.
Liquor store (also known as package store):
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.Closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.If Christmas Day or New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, closed the following Monday.
Sports venue:
A sports venue is a public entertainment facility property that is primarily designed and used for live sporting events, as defined by Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 108.73.In addition to any other period when the sale of alcohol is authorized, a licensed or permitted premises located in a sports venue may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. and noon Sunday.
Festival, fair or concert:
In addition to any other period when the sale of alcohol is authorized, a licensed or permitted premises located at a festival, fair or concert may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. and noon Sunday.
Winery:
Monday – Saturday: 8 a.m. – midnightSunday: 10 a.m. – midnight
This depends on the type of area. An “extended-hours area” means an area subject to the extended hours of sale provided in Alcoholic Beverage Code sections 105.03 or 105.05. In an extended-hours area, a person may not consume or possess with intent to consume an alcoholic beverage in a public place:
Monday – Saturday: Before 7 a.m. or after 2:15 a.m.Sunday: Before noon or after 2:15 a.m.Exception: Consumption is legal between 10 a.m. and noon Sunday:
At an on-premise establishment when the beverage is sold along with the service of food to a customer.At a winery, fair, festival, concert or sports venue.
In a standard-hours area, a person may not consume or possess with intent to consume an alcoholic beverage in a public place:
Monday – Friday: Before 7 a.m. or after 12:15 a.m.Saturday: Before 7 a.m. or after 1:15 a.m.Sunday: Before noon or after 12:15 a.m.Exception: Consumption is legal between 10a.m. and noon Sunday:
At an on-premise establishment when it is sold along with the service of food to a customer.At a winery, fair, festival, concert or sports venue.
A general, local or branch distributor’s license holder may sell, offer for sale or deliver beer anytime except between 1 a.m. and noon Sunday.
A Wholesaler’s Permit (W) holder may sell, offer for sale or deliver liquor anytime except Sunday and Christmas Day.A Local Distributor’s Permit (LP) holder may sell, offer for sale or deliver liquor to a retailer between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on any day except Sunday, Christmas Day or any day when a Package Store Permit (P) holder is prohibited from selling liquor.
Distributors and wholesalers of malt beverages and wine can restock, rotate, affix prices, and reset or rearrange alcoholic beverages they sell from 5 a.m. to noon Sunday. See TABC Administrative Rule 45.109(d)
When the time changes at 2 a.m. in the fall, licensees and permittees may sell for an additional hour because the legal time is 1 a.m.When daylight saving time takes place in the spring, the legal time is 3:00 a.m. when the time changes. Technically, no one should be publicly consuming or selling alcoholic beverages at that time. TABC agents have traditionally given patrons the 15 minutes they have under the extended-hours definition to consume the rest of the drinks legally purchased before 2 a.m.
Yes. There are no laws against selling alcohol on election day.
What time are bars allowed to open in California?
California lawmakers reject a bill to extend bar hours to 4 a.m. in three cities SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers on Wednesday rejected legislation that would have allowed West Hollywood, San Francisco and Palm Springs to authorize weekend alcohol service until 4 a.m.
at bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Senate Bill 930 by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would have allowed each city to extend alcohol sales until 4 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays and until 3 a.m. all other days. Under current law, those businesses can sell alcohol until 2 a.m. “SB 930 is a local control bill that lets cities decide what nightlife works best for their communities and small businesses,” Wiener and Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) said in a statement after the bill was defeated in the Assembly.
“We are assessing whether there is a path to pass the bill off the Assembly floor.” Wiener has said the extended hours would have helped small businesses that have been struggling to get back on their feet after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that the added nightlife would have helped unify the LGBTQ communities in West Hollywood, San Francisco and Palm Springs.
Leaders in all three cities had asked to be included in the pilot program. In 2018, Wiener introduced a similar bill, which was vetoed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown. “I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem,” Brown wrote in his veto message. Wiener tried again in 2019 with a bill that would have allowed extended alcohol sales in 10 cities, but that failed to pass in the Assembly.
On Wednesday, the Assembly rejected his latest version, which had passed overwhelmingly in the Senate in May. Republicans and Democrats spoke against the bill during a debate on the Assembly floor, expressing concern that extending serving hours would lead to more alcohol-impaired drivers on the streets.
- Extending these hours of service for people to become impaired, mixed with the fatigue factor that also is an extreme threat to public safety, is asking for death.
- I promise you that there will be death, needless death, if we pass this bill,” said Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a retired California Highway Patrol sergeant.
Wiener and Haney called that argument “misleading.” Haney who argued in favor of the bill on the Assembly floor, said research shows no increase in drunk driving cases in states, including New York and Hawaii, where bars and nightclubs serve alcohol beyond 2 a.m.
“We found that there was no correlation between states with later closing times and higher rates of drunk driving,” Haney said. “We need to reexamine our one-size-fits-all, top-down approach to nightlife in our state. It restricts business; it harms economic activity.” After the bill was defeated, Haney requested that it be allowed to come up for reconsideration later — a procedural move that offers a slim chance of success.
California allows the sale of alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. for bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Those rules have been in place for more than 80 years. : California lawmakers reject a bill to extend bar hours to 4 a.m. in three cities
Can you drink in the open in California?
Like most states, California has prohibited the possession and consumption of an open container of alcohol in public places as well as in automobiles. If a person has an open container is on the streets, they may only be given a ticket. However, if an open container is in a car, the penalties are much more severe.
Can you have open alcohol in California?
Open container laws in California are found in Vehicle Code Sections 23221–23229 VC. These laws make it illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the vehicle or to drink any alcoholic beverage while driving. This includes beer, wine, liquor, spritzers, etc. The law also outlaws marijuana in the car.