An integral part of some people's New Year's Eve plans is having the proper libations to wave goodbye to the past and toast to the future. However, before the ball drops, it's important to purchase those spirits and store hours are dependent on the state.
The sale of alcohol is largely regulated on a state by state basis and along with issuing proper licensing, state governments have put restrictions on when alcohol can be sold. While states require sales to be conducted during certain time frames, it is generally not required for stores to be open during the whole window of sales. So, before heading out to a New Year's Eve destination, it's best to check with local liquor stores to make sure they'll be open when you arrive.
Alabama
Out of Alabama's 67 counties, 26 of them are dry and prohibit the sale of alcohol. For those counties that do have liquor stores, they will be open until 9:00 p.m. EST. Beer and wine is sold at grocery stores and will be sold until 2:00 a.m. EST.
Alaska
Without any specific restrictions regarding liquor store hours on New Year's Eve, Alaska liquor stores will be permitted to be opened at 8:00 a.m. AST until 2:00 a.m. AST.
Arizona
All stores selling liquor must close by 2:00 a.m. MST under Arizona law.
Arkansas
Patrons are permitted to purchase liquor at stores on New Year's Eve in Arkansas until 1:00 a.m. CST.
California
California stores selling liquor can remain open until 2:00 a.m. PST, when the law prohibits further sales. Stores can not reopen until 6:00 a.m. PST.
Colorado
Colorado stores can sell liquor from 8:00 a.m. MST until midnight on a daily basis, except for Christmas day.
Delaware
On any day Monday through Saturday, liquor stores in Delaware are prohibited from selling alcohol between the hours of 1:00 a.m. EST and 9:00 a.m. EST.
Florida
Partygoers can pick up alcohol beverages after 7:00 a.m. until midnight in Florida.
Georgia
In Atlanta, liquor patrons can purchase the alcohol of their choice from 9:00 a.m. EST and 2:30 a.m. EST.
Hawaii
The state of Hawaii is on a county by county basis and in Maui, most stores are confined to selling alcohol between 6:00 a.m. HST and 11:00 p.m. HST. However, a recent change in the law allowed for some 24-hour stores to continue selling alcohol past the previously determined hours.
Idaho
On New Year's Eve, there are no specific restrictions on liquor sales so stores will operate with regular business hours.
Illinois
Between Monday and Thursday, liquor can be sold at a store from 10:00 a.m. CST in Illinois until 12:00 a.m. CST.
Indiana
The legal hours that alcoholic beverages are permitted to dispense alcoholic beverages in Indiana is from 7:00 a.m. EST until 3:00 a.m. EST.
Iowa
Iowans hoping to pick up a bottle or two for New Year's Eve parties should do so after 6:00 a.m. CST and before 2:00 a.m. CST, as the law permits.
Kansas
Retail establishments selling alcoholic beverages in Kansas can do so between the hours of 9:00 a.m. CST and 11:00 p.m. CST.
Kentucky
Kentucky has wet and moist designated territories for selling alcohol and aside from extended permits and prohibited Sunday sales, regulated hours are created through local ordinances.
Louisiana
Louisiana hours are based on local ordinance and vary depending on where the business is located so it's best to check with each store before planning a shopping trip.
Maine
Alcohol in Maine can legally be sold after 6:00 a.m. EST until 1:00 a.m. EST.
Maryland
Maryland liquor store hours vary by county but in Montgomery County, store are open from 9:00 a.m. EST until 9:00 p.m. EST.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts doesn't have a prohibition law for New Year's Eve and stores are generally permitted to be open from 8:00 a.m. EST until 11:00 p.m. EST.
Michigan
Liquor stores in Michigan can only sell alcohol after 7:00 a.m. local time and must close before 2:00 a.m. local time.
Minnesota
Minnesotans should plan to head to the liquor store after 8:00 a.m. CST and before 10:00 p.m. CST, when stores close.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, liquor stores can be open and sell alcohol from 10:00 a.m. CST until 1:00 a.m. CST.
Missouri
Normal hours of operation for liquor stores in Missouri are from 6:00 a.m. CST until 1:30 a.m. CST.
Montana
In Montana, shoppers should make their purchases at a liquor store between the hours of 8:00 a.m. CST and 2:00 a.m. MST.
Nebraska
Nebraska liquor stores are legally allowed to open after 6:00 a.m. CST and must close before 1:00 a.m. CST.
Nevada
Alcohol sales are permitted in Nevada from 12:00 a.m. PST until 12:00 a.m. PST.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, liquor stores can conduct transactions from 6:00 a.m. EST until 11:45 p.m. EST.
New Jersey
Spirits can only be sold after 9 a.m. EST and before 10 p.m. EST in the state of New Jersey, although it can be limited by local ordinances. As for wine and beer, the timing of those sales is up to the municipality to decide.
New Mexico
Stores in New Mexico cannot sell liquor before 7:00 a.m. MST or after midnight, according to state law.
New York
In New York, liquor and wine stores are confined to selling alcohol between the hours of 8:00 a.m. EST and midnight. Stores selling beer can do so all day from Monday until Saturday.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, state-regulated stores cannot open before 9:00 a.m. EST or remain open after 9:00 p.m. EST.
North Dakota
North Dakota party people should plan to head to the store from 8:00 a.m. CST until 2:00 a.m. CST on New Year's Eve.
Ohio
For those shopping in Ohio, they cannot do so before 5:30 a.m. EST or after 2:30 a.m. EST.
Oklahoma
On days falling between Monday and Saturday, alcoholic beverages in Oklahoma can only be sold 10:00 a.m. CST and 9:00 p.m. CST.
Oregon
Oregon's liquor store hours vary store to store, but typically range from 7:00 a.m. until around 10 p.m.
Pennsylvania
On New Year's Eve, all liquor stores in Pennsylvania will close at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, alcoholic beverages must be sold between the hours of 9:00 a.m. EST and 10:00 p.m. EST.
South Carolina
Monday through Saturday, sales of liquor can only be conducted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. EST and 7:00 p.m. EST in South Carolina.
South Dakota
South Dakota liquor stores can sell liquor to eligible patrons between the hours of 7:00 a.m. CST and 2:00 p.m. CST.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, alcoholic beverages can only be sold after 8:00 a.m. EST and before 3:00 a.m. EST.
Texas
Texas New Year's Eve revelers can purchase beer and wine from 7:00 a.m. CST until midnight. However, liquor can only be sold from 10:00 a.m. CST until 9:00 p.m. CST.
Utah
Alcohol can be purchased in Utah from 11:00 a.m. MST until 10:00 p.m. MST from Monday to Saturday.
Vermont
For partygoers in Vermont, plans should be arranged to purchase liquor between 8:00 a.m. EST and 2:30 a.m. EST.
Virginia
Store hours vary but some open as early as 8:00 a.m. EST and close as late as 9:00 p.m. EST, so it's best to check the hours of local stores before making a plan of when to shop.
Washington
Washington state patrons can purchase alcohol after 6:00 a.m. PST until 2:00 a.m. PST on New Year's Eve.
West Virginia
Beer and wine can be sold in West Virginia from 7:00 a.m. EST until 2:00 a.m. EST. However, liquor stores can only remain open from 8:00 a.m. EST until midnight.
Wisconsin
Liquor stores in Wisconsin can remain open between the hours of 6:00 a.m. CST until midnight, although local ordinances can override those hours.
Wyoming
Wyoming has no restrictions specific to New Year's Eve, so liquor stores will likely open after 6:00 a.m. MST and close before 2:00 a.m. MST.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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