Arizona Liquor Laws

There are many bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Arizona. It's important to note that our liquor laws may not be the same as where you lived before. The legal drinking age, hours that alcohol may be purchased or served, and other laws related to liquor consumption vary from state to state. Here is an overview of Arizona's Liquor Laws. For most people, knowing these ten rules about drinking in Arizona should keep you out of trouble.

1. Liquor can be served by a licensed business from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays.
2. A licensed business can't allow any alcohol to be consumed on premised after 2:30 a.m.
3. It is illegal for customers of licensed businesses to have liquors in open containers between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and 2:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays.
4. The legal drinking age in the State of Arizona is 21.
5. An underage person can be in a bar if accompanied by a spouse, parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age, or is an on-duty employee of the business. The underage person can't drink any alcoholic beverages.
6. A customer must produce valid I.D. if asked by the establishment to show it in order to be served alcohol.
7. It is illegal to use fake I.D. to purchase liquor. An underage person who tries to buy liquor with a fake I.D. could be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor, and could go to jail.
8. An obviously intoxicated person can stay in a bar for 30 minutes from the time the state of intoxication is known. This allows time to arrange for proper transportation from the premises.
9. It is illegal for a retail licensee to conduct drinking contests, or provide a person with an unlimited number of alcoholic beverages during any set period of time for a fixed price, to provide more than thirty-two ounces of beer, one liter of wine, or four ounces of distilled spirits at one time for a person's consumption.
10. To read the actual Arizona Liquor Laws, check here.

If you are interested in obtaining an Arizona Liquor License, you can find all the requirements, types of liquor licenses available, and the forms for application at the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses & Control web site.