9 Weird Alcohol Laws
Want to hear something surprising? The United States once prohibited the sale of alcohol!
Well, that's probably not surprising. But, while prohibition went out the window in 1933, many states still have some pretty odd laws about alcohol on the books today.
Here are nine weird state alcohol laws.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, there are no happy hours, no bottomless mimosa brunches, no drinks on the house, and no beer pong tournaments at the local bar. They're all prohibited by law. Sunday mornings just aren't that much fun in Massachusetts.
Utah
Utah children are protected from the sight of alcoholic drinks tainting their impressionable young minds by a "Zion curtain." By law, restaurants that serve alcohol must pour the drinks behind an opaque barrier so that children can't see. A lawmaker recently proposed a bill trying to repeal the "Zion curtain" law, but success seems unlikely as previous attempts in the last couple years have failed miserably.
Colorado
In most states, you can get arrested for drinking and driving. In Colorado, you can get arrested for drinking and riding . . . a horse! Colorado law makes riding a horse while under the influence of alcohol a traffic infraction.
Alaska
While parents in many states allow their kids a sip or two, in Alaska, anybody under 21 can legally drink alcohol in a private location with parent or spousal supervision.
Kentucky
Many of Kentucky's famous bourbon distilleries are located in dry counties where alcohol sales are illegal. Thirty-nine of Kentucky's 120 counties still prohibit sale of alcohol completely.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, you'll have to run all around town to buy the ingredients for an "Irish Car Bomb." Beer is sold at privately owned beer stores, also known as distributors, and liquor is sold at state-run liquor stores. Sadly, you can't get your Guinness and Jameson at the same store. But cheer up, you can buy wine from vending machines!
Oklahoma
Oklahoma law requires beer with more than four percent alcohol by volume to be sold at room temperature. What's the big idea? We're not British!
Louisiana
In Louisiana, you can take your alcohol to go. Despite DUI laws, you can buy a daiquiri at a drive through in Louisiana, but the cups have to remain sealed while in the car.
South Carolina
South Carolina only recently repealed a law prohibiting selling alcohol on election day. Alaska and Massachusetts are the last hold out states clinging to their election day alcohol bans.
Not weird enough for you? Have suggestions for more? Tweet us or hit us up on Facebook and let us know.
Related Resources:
- Is Powdered Alcohol, aka Palcohol, Now Legal? (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
- This Week in DWI, It's ... Vanilla Extract? (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
- If You Brown-Bag Booze, Can You Drink in Public? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Can You Bring Alcohol on a Plane? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)