It is illegal in every state in America for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase and publicly possess alcoholic beverages. However, the regulations regarding when and where alcohol may be purchased or served vary significantly from one state to another. Therefore, it is essential to be familiar with the local drinking laws before heading out for a night on the town, and Washington, D.C. is no exception.

When and Where to Buy Alcohol: D.C. Sales Outlets and Hours

Because D.C. is not a state, it has some unique regulations that differ from other jurisdictions. For instance, while bars and restaurants in every state are required to obtain their alcoholic beverages from a wholesaler, in D.C., establishments can purchase those products directly from breweries and distilleries. This is advantageous for craft beer enthusiasts, who will discover an abundance of local beers sourced directly from small breweries to stores, restaurants, and bars.

Moreover, D.C. does not enforce the old Sunday “blue laws” often found in many states. Consequently, there are virtually no restrictions on Sundays, allowing liquor to be served at licensed restaurants and bars from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Additionally, grocery and liquor stores are permitted to sell alcohol every day of the week, including Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

While grocery stores are limited to selling only beer and wine, spirits are readily available at packaged liquor stores. Visitors can also go directly to local breweries and distilleries to purchase craft beers and spirits, which are offered for both on-premise and off-premise consumption from 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Please note that off-premise purchases must be in sealed containers.

Free Tastings at Breweries and Distilleries

On-site tastings are quite popular in the district. Thanks to the Manufacturer Tasting Permit Act of 2013, breweries and distilleries with the necessary license now permit visitors to sample their products from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Previously, tastings were restricted to Thursday through Saturday.

Pub Crawls

If you wish to organize a pub crawl, it’s essential to be aware of the regulations in place. If your event expects more than 200 participants, you will be required to apply for and obtain a pub crawl license from the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). They offer a page detailing the steps necessary for this process. In addition, ABRA provides a temporary festival license for large public events lasting from 5 to 15 days related to sports, cultural, or tourism activities.

Open Container Restrictions

While D.C. has more lenient liquor laws compared to many other states, it is important to remember that it is not New Orleans. It is illegal to carry open containers of alcoholic beverages in any public place that is not part of an ABRA-licensed establishment. Violating this law can lead to significant penalties, including a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail.

Legal Drinking Age

Many of D.C.’s liquor laws are quite similar to those in other states. For example, the legal drinking age was raised to 21 in 1984, replacing the previous regulations that allowed 18-year-olds to purchase wine and beer. As a result, individuals must be at least 21 years old to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage, and they are required to present a valid I.D. Anyone underage attempting to acquire alcohol with a fake I.D. may face fines and possible suspension of driving privileges.

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