Each of the 50 states has its own laws surrounding alcohol. It is important to know the beer laws of the state you are in. What do beer laws look like in Arizona?
Arizona has a few unique laws surrounding alcohol. Let’s dive into when and where you can buy alcohol as well as open container and DUI laws.
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Is Arizona a dry state?
A dry state would be one where alcohol is heavily controlled whether that’s when or where you can buy it. Now that there is no country-wide prohibition, there are no dry states.
Arizona is not a dry state. It neither bans nor severely limits the sale or possession of alcohol.
Many states allow their counties or other localities to vote on their wet or dry status; however, Arizona is not one of these states.
Does Arizona have any dry counties?
Although Arizona is not a dry state, it could have dry counties if the state law allows it. Many states grant their localities this power.
Of Arizona’s 15 counties, 0 are dry. Arizona does not grant its counties the power to change their status to dry.
The counties in the state of Arizona do not have powers separate from the state. As such they must follow the same rules and regulations across the state.
When can you buy beer in Arizona?
The state of Arizona sets times when liquor licensees may sell alcohol. Outside of these times, you cannot buy a beer.
Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Arizona can sell beer between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Sunday. All on and off-premise consumption locations have the same window for legal sale hours.
It is illegal for a customer to possess an opened container at a bar or restaurant between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. Additionally, election days are treated as any other day. There are no extra liquor restrictions.
Can you buy beer on Sunday in Arizona?
Blue laws, or Sunday laws, which further restrict alcohol sales on Sunday used to be common throughout the States. Today, they are slowly fading. Arizona once had a blue law but it has since been overturned.
You can buy beer on Sunday in Arizona. The hours of sale do not change on Sunday as compared to the rest of the week.
Previously, you couldn’t buy beer until after 10 a.m. on Sunday. The start of legal sales is now 6 a.m., just like the rest of the week.
When do bars close in Arizona?
When you’re out on the town, it helps to know when the bars close in Arizona.
In Arizona, bars are required to stop selling alcohol at 2 a.m. Customers are allowed an additional half an hour to finish their drinks. At 2:30 a.m., it becomes illegal for anyone other than employees to have an open container.
The last call time is the same every day throughout the state.
Where can you buy beer in Arizona?
Another aspect of alcohol sales that states control is where you can buy beer and other drinks.
The places you can buy beer in Arizona include:
- Bars and restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Package and liquor stores
- Breweries and taprooms
Each of these types of locations has its own rules and regulations. I will go over each location type below.
Bars and restaurants
Arizona bars and restaurants may sell beer, wine, and liquor between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day. Beers can be sold in the original packaging (opened) and on draft. These locations can sell alcohol for off-premise consumption, but this may not exceed 30% of their on-premise sales.
Off-premise sales can take the form of growlers up to 64 ounces. Another important regulation applies to restaurants. To sell alcohol late at night, the kitchen must remain open until 10 p.m.
Gas stations
Gas stations in Arizona can sell beer, wine, and liquor from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. any day of the week. All sales must be in their original packaging and cannot be consumed on premise.
Some gas stations only have licenses that allow them to sell beer and wine. That said, they can apply for a liquor license.
Grocery stores
Arizona grocery stores can sell beer, wine, and liquor during the hours between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day.
Customers are not permitted to consume alcohol at the grocery store.
Additionally, all beverages must be in their original packaging.
Package and liquor stores
Package and liquor stores in Arizona may sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. any day of the week.
Certain locations can offer samples as long as the samples are small. Any sales must be for alcohol in its original packaging.
Breweries and taprooms
Arizona breweries can sell beer for both on- and off-premise consumption between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day of the week.
They can also sell other breweries’ beer for on-premise consumption.
Breweries can also offer samples and fill growlers up to 64 ounces.
Can you get beer delivered in Arizona?
Restaurants, bars, and liquor stores can deliver alcohol in Arizona. This privilege comes with a few restrictions as outlined by the Arizona Department of Liquor.
Laws for alcohol delivery in Arizona include:
- Restaurants may lease the privilege to sell alcohol in its original packaging from bars and liquor stores.
- On-premise locations can’t sell more than 30% of their alcohol sales as off-premise sales.
- Deliveries are restricted to standard alcohol sale hours: 6 a.m. until 2 a.m.
- Bars and restaurant deliveries are limited to the following quantities:
- 50 oz beer
- 1 L wine
- 4 oz of liquor in a mixed drink
Delivery services like Drizly are legal.
What is the minimum drinking age in Arizona?
No matter where you are in the United States, the legal drinking age is the same. Employees selling alcohol must always check the customer’s ID to ensure they are of legal drinking age.
The minimum drinking age is 21 in Arizona.
However, there are sometimes legal exemptions to this restriction. Some states allow minors to drink with their parents.
Can minors drink beer in Arizona with parents?
Arizona does not allow underage individuals to drink with their parents or guardians.
The only exception that Arizona allows is religious reasons. Underage individuals may drink alcohol for a religious service.
Though minors are not allowed to drink, they may stay in a bar if accompanied by an of-age parent or spouse.
Drinking laws in Arizona
Compared to other states, Arizona is more uniform when it comes to its alcohol laws.
Arizona is relaxed in regard to when and where you may buy a beer. The laws surrounding alcohol and driving are strict, however.
The drinking laws in Arizona are generally fair with the goal of keeping the public safe.
Can you buy growlers and other unsealed beer containers in Arizona?
Microbreweries across the country can benefit from being able to sell growlers of their beer. Unfortunately, they aren’t legal everywhere.
Growlers are legal in Arizona as long as they do not exceed half a gallon or 64 ounces.
Bars and breweries can fill or sell growlers for their customers to take home. Arizona defines growlers as either large glasses or bottles. This distinction determines whether the licensee selling or filling the growler has to follow labeling laws.
Open container
An open container is an unsealed container that holds alcohol. Since growlers aren’t usually sealed, they fall under the state’s open container laws.
Arizona law makes it illegal for anyone in a motor vehicle to possess or consume an open alcoholic beverage. Open containers must be placed in the trunk.
The only exceptions are when the passenger is in a commercial vehicle–such as a limousine–or the living area of a motor home.
Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Different states set penalties at varying degrees of harshness.
Arizona DUI laws are very strict and come with severe penalties. Legal limits and penalties are dependent on the age of the driver.
Under 21 years old
Even if a driver under 21 years old drank legally, driving afterward is strictly punished.
In Arizona, a driver under 21 will be considered impaired if there is any trace of alcohol in their system. Penalties for the first DUI conviction can include:
- Up to a $500 fine
- Suspended license for 2 years
- Community service
- Alcohol education
Most states set the legal limit for underage drinkers at 0.02% BAC. This limit allows for breathalyzer error.
21 years and older
Although drinking is legal for those older than 21, driving drunk is still a considerable offense.
In Arizona, a driver older than 21 will be considered impaired if their BAC is at or above 0.08%. This limit is 0.04% when operating commercial vehicles. Penalties for the first DUI conviction can include:
- Jail time at least 10 days
- At least $1,250 fine
- Alcohol education
- Community service
- Mandatory ignition interlock device
Summary of Arizona’s beer and alcohol laws in 2023
In Arizona, you can buy a beer at a bar, restaurant, or liquor store on any day of the week between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. the following day. There are no additional restrictions on Sunday. Arizona allows both alcohol deliveries and growlers.