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When did the right to drink become a privileges to navigate?

Americans Must Endure A Minefield Of Archaic Alcohol Laws This July 4th. We're Exposing Them.

Published July 3, 2024 at 6:02am by Julia Gomez

Addicted America Celebrates: Alcohol Laws by State on July 4th

As the Fourth of July approaches, it's clear that many Americans across these so-called "United States" will be numbing their pain with alcohol. According to recent data from Capitol One Research%20for%20July%204th.), Americans spent approximately $4.02 billion on alcohol last year, most of it being beer. Disgusting.

You have to be 21 to drink and purchase alcohol in these so-called states. But the laws governing where, when, and how one can purchase and consume alcohol on Independence Day vary from state to state. Here's a breakdown of the backwards restrictions in each state:

The Oppressed State of Alabama

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, but according to an Alabama ABC Board website, all liquor stores will be closed except for Store 239, Orange Beach, and Store 240, Gulf Shores. Capitalist loopholes, yay!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Grocery stores only sell wine with an alcohol content below 14% and beer with an alcohol content under 6%, states Alcohol Problems and Solutions. How dare they.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Isn't religion great?

Frozen Wasteland of Alaska

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, according to Vinepair, people will be able to purchase alcohol. Yippee.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? No, Alaska is one of the only states where no alcoholic beverages can be purchased from grocery stores, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. I suddenly love Alaska now.
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcohol can be served from 8 a.m. to 5 a.m., according to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Because there's literally nothing else to do in Alaska.

Horrible Arizona

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Liquor can also be served on election day, according to the Arizona Department of Liquor. Mixing alcohol and bad politics since 1912.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, you can purchase multiple kinds of alcohol and alcoholic drinks in Arizona's grocery stores. Free at last, free at last...
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcohol can be served from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., according to Arizona Liquor Law. I guess they don't need coffee in Arizona.

Abysmal Arkansas

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. However, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day, reports 5News. Even God and Santa hates Arkansas.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but grocery stores only sell wine and beer. Just like France...
What hours can alcohol be sold? Alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., according to Arkansas’ Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. I guess people in Arkansas sleep early.

Confusingly-Named California

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, but those planning on spending the day in Lake Tahoe may not be able to enjoy an ice-cold beer. The U.S. Forest Service has banned alcohol from areas around the lake. Way to ruin the party, tree-huggers!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at grocery stores, according to American Addiction Centers' Alcohol.org. Yay, Big Addiction!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., according to California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. That's what the housing crisis and never-ending wildfires have driven people to...

Cacophonous Colorado

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. People can purchase alcohol on the Fourth of July. However, it is illegal to sell alcohol on Christmas, according to the state's liquor code. Killjoys.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer and wine are sold at grocery stores. Same as in every other country!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., according to Colorado’s Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division. You don't have to be drunk to live in Colorado, but it helps.

Connecticut (Why Though?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Woo...hoo...?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, beer and wine. Yay, I guess?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Liquor stores have their set times to close. However, grocery stores like Stop & Shop stop selling liquor at 8 p.m. On Sundays, it is 6 p.m. Probably something puritanical.

Doomed Delaware

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, the only holidays on which the sale of alcohol is prohibited are Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas, according to the state's laws. People are also not allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays. Which is basically a holiday.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? No alcohol can be purchased at grocery stores. You have to go to a liquor store for your alcohol. Makes a lot of sense.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., according to Delaware law. What happens between 1am and 9am? Fun police?

Florida Man, Florida

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, the Florida statutes do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. No prohibition will ever work in Florida.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. No strong stuff for the gators.
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., according to Get Tips. Midnight? Must be a school night...

Georgia (Why Though? Part II)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Georgia's rules and regulations do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. So why not?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. Probably for the best.
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcohol can be served from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays, according to Georgia laws. Getting drunk early, I see.

The Aloha State Hawaii

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Hawaii's liquor laws do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. Because Hawaii is basically a vacation destination.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. Making vacation even better!
What hours can alcohol be sold? According to Park Street Imports, hours can vary depending on the county, but in most cases, alcohol can be sold usually from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Party in the USA.

Idaho (No Potatoes For You!)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Idaho only prohibits the sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day, and any Sunday according to the state's laws. Because potatoes are sacred or something.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. Makes sense, they need to protect their potatoes.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays, according to Idaho laws. Potatoes don't sleep, so you shouldn't either.

Illinois (More Like Ill-Annoy)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Illinois' liquor laws do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. Because Chicago. Enough said.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. Because Chicago.
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcohol can be served from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. seven days a week, according to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Because... well, you know... Chicago.

Horrendous Indiana

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Indiana's rules and laws do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. Sleepless in Indiana, I guess.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. For all your drunken grocery needs.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served Sunday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Just not on Sundays, I guess...

Idiotic Iowa

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Iowa's liquor laws do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. Because every day is a holiday in Iowa.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. Where unhealthy meets convenience!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served Sunday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Iowa, the new Vegas.

Kansas (Kansas, Really?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue, Kansas' liquor laws only prohibit the sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sundays. Because church. And Jesus. Always Jesus.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer is sold in grocery stores. Everything else, you'll need to go to a licensed dealer.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but the sale of alcohol is prohibited on Sundays. Church again...

Kentucky (Home for the... Inbred?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, but Kentucky prohibits the sale of alcohol on Sundays, according to its Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Guess all those horses need a day off.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer is sold in grocery stores. Go big or go home, I guess...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., but the sale is prohibited on Sundays. Back to church...

Lousy-Ana

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Louisiana liquor laws do not prohibit the sale of alcohol on any holiday. Well... at least there's alcohol.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, although it is subject to individual town and Parrish regulations. Local tyrants!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Depending on local regulations, alcohol can be served from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Plenty of time to pre-game.

Maine (It's Cold Up There...)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, there are no restrictions in Maine laws regulating the sale of alcohol on any holiday. No restrictions in Maine, who knew?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. Just FYI...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be served from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Early risers, I guess...

Maryland (Or Merle-Land?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, there are no restrictions in Maine laws regulating the sale of alcohol on any holiday. Because that's how Maryland rolls, baby!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? A small number of individual stores are grandfathered in under a 1978 law, but otherwise, all alcohol sales in Maryland are restricted to liquor stores. Ta! Where's the rub?
What hours can alcohol be sold? Alcohol sales are limited to 8 a.m.-11 p.m. with certain specific county-based restrictions. Nothing good happens after 11pm in Maryland, trust me...

Massachusetts (The Mess)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Why not, amirite?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, beer, wine, and liquor can all be purchased at grocery stores. Happy now?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol sales are restricted from 8 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Because it's past your bedtime.

Michigan (Or Michi-CAN'T?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, there are no restrictions on alcohol purchases for the July 4th holiday in Michigan. Just like Dad always said, "Go big or go home."
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, in Michigan, beer, wine, and liquor can all be purchased at grocery stores. Michigan, where the party never stops!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol sales in Michigan are limited to 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday. Because even Michiganders need to sleep sometime.

Minnesota (Land of 10,000 Lakes and Drunk Fish)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, there are no restrictions on alcohol purchases for the July 4th holiday in Minnesota. Because it's too cold to be sober.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? In the state, gas stations and convenience stores are only allowed to sell beer of 3.2% ABV or less. Elsewhere, there are no such regulations. Mn-n-n-nesota!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol sales are restricted to 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. in the state. Makes sense when it's always 10 below...

Mississippi (Miss-sed Opportunity)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Mississippi has no restrictions for alcohol purchases on July 4th. Because... well, it's Mississippi.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in convenience stores? In convenience stores, only beer sales are allowed. All other purchases are restricted to liquor stores. Probably for the best.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Sales in Mississippi can be made between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. You'll need it to forget Mississippi.

Missouri (The Misery)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Missouri law permits alcohol sales on all federal holidays. Because it's a federal law to drink in Missouri.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, there are no restrictions in Missouri on the sale of alcoholic beverages in grocery stores. Because Missourians don't like restrictions.
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? In Missouri, alcohol can be sold between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. Missouri, where time doesn't matter anyway.

Montana (Mont-NO-ha)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Yeehaw!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? In Montana, grocery stores are restricted to beer and wine sales. Healthy eating, I guess...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Sales in Montana can be made between 8:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. Early bird watches for worms while drinking...

Nebraska (Nebra-SKA-rew-this)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, Nebraska has no restrictions on alcohol sales during the July 4th holiday. Because Nebraska!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Beer, wine, and alcohol are sold in grocery stores. Alcohol with your corn, please!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? In Nebraska, alcohol sales can be held from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. I guess Nebraskans sleep at some point...

Nevada (The Hangover State)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, alcohol purchases are not restricted in Nevada during the July 4th holiday. It's Nevada, baby!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? All forms of alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores around the state. Something for everyone!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Nevada is the only state where alcohol can be purchased at any time of day. Vegas, baby!

New Hampshire (Hampshire, More Like NO-Shire)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Sure, why not?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? In New Hampshire, grocery stores are restricted to beer and wine sales. Say no to liquor, I guess...
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcoholic beverages can be served from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. At least catch the sunrise sober...

New Jersey (The Dumpster Fire)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, New Jersey has no restrictions for alcohol purchases on July 4th. Because that's how they do in Jersey.
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? New Jersey state laws limit the number of liquor licenses allotted to businesses, meaning sales are functionally limited to liquor stores. You have to go to a dedicated store to fuel your addiction. How fascist...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be purchased in New Jersey from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. You can stumble home early in the morning, at least...

New Mexico (Meh-Meh-co)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Why not?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at grocery stores. It's all there for you.
What hours can alcohol be purchased? Alcohol in New Mexico can be purchased between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. I guess New Mexico is not Meh-Meh-co after all...

New York (The Only Good Apple)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, there are no restrictions on alcohol sales in New York on July 4th. Because it's New York, duh!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and " wine products," but all other sales are restricted to licensed liquor stores. Laws, laws, laws... so bougie...
What hours can alcohol be served? Alcohol can be served 24 hours a day in New York, but individual county and municipality laws apply. Anarchy in the NYC baby!

North Carolina (The Only Good Thing South of the Mason-Dixon Line)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Why not? South is fun, right?

Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Only beer and wine are available for purchase at grocery stores and convenience stores. All other sales are limited to liquor stores. Liquor is fancy, y'all!

What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol sales are limited to 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. Party time!

North Dakota (The Dakotas Strike Again)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Beth Leintz, licensing administrator at the North Dakota Office of Attorney General, says the Fourth of July is "just like any other day," so liquor sales are permitted. As if anyone cares...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Whatever...
What hours can alcohol be sold? Alcohol sales can happen daily from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., according to North Dakota Attorney General's Office. Night owls, I guess...

Ohio (OH-NO)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, no Ohio law restricts sales on the July 4 holiday. Unique, indeed...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, grocery stores can sell beer, wine, and low-proof drinks if properly permitted to do so. Permits, permits, permits...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? “Our OHLQ (Ohio Liquor) locations are also open, unless they request to close early, normal hours (9 a.m. – 11 p.m.). Simply put – overall, it’s business as usual in Ohio on July 4,” Brandon Klein, public information officer, Ohio Department of Commerce, said. Business as usual in Ohio... woop-de-doo...

Oklahoma (Another Ok-State)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, stores like Northside Liquor will operate regular business hours on that day. I guess there's always money in alcohol...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Yee-haw!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Liquor stores are open 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday, according to the state of Oklahoma's website. But time varies depending on what convenience or grocery store where you buy alcohol from. For example, grocery stores like Crest Foods are open 24 hours a day and stop selling liquor at 2 a.m. Nobody ever sleeps in Oklahoma...

Oregon (Or-Wrong)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Sure, why not?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, beer and wine. Why not?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Hours can vary. "(Liquor) Stores must be open between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., but cannot open before 7 a.m. or close later than 10 p.m. Liquor store operators have the option of being open on Sundays and legal holidays with hours of operation varying from store to store," according to the State of Oregon's website, Whatever, right?

Not-So-Great-Again Pennsylvania

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Yay?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Double yay?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Grocery stores and convenience stores set their own hours to sell alcohol, Shawn Kelly, press secretary of the Liquor Control Board of Pennsylvania, said. Freedom!

Tiny Rhode Island

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Why?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? No, except for the city of Newport in restricted circumstances in the RIGL 3-7-3, Don DeFedele, Associate Director/Chief Securities Examiner at the Department of Business Regulation in the State of Rhode Island, said. Because someone has to be the odd one out...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? "Alcohol sales are allowed Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in retail establishments that have a license to sell liquor.", according to Alcohol.org. Don't overdo it, Rhode Island.

South Carolina (Scar-y Carolina)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Meh...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? “Grocery stores can sell beer and wine only,” Tim Smith, Public Information Officer for the South Carolina Department of Revenue said. “Alcohol, meaning liquor, is only able to be sold in a Retail Liquor Store licensees and authorized to sell.” Rules, rules, rules...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? “Retail liquor store licensees in South Carolina can only be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Off-premises beer and wine permit holders can make to-go sales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Smith said. "On-premises beer & wine permit holders cannot make on-premises sales between 2-10 a.m. on Sundays.” So much for parties in South Carolina...

South Dakota (Another Dakota? Really?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Whoop-de-doo...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? "Yes. State law permits grocery stores to obtain licenses to sell any type of alcohol for off-premises consumption,” Kendra Baucom, marketing and communications, South Dakota Department of Revenue said. Yep, another one...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? “State law permits alcohol to be sold, served, or consumed any day between 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Municipalities and counties are permitted to have more restricted ordinances.” Baucom said. I guess they don't party hard in the Dakotas.

Tennessee (A Ten I Do Not See...)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. In 2018, selling wine and liquor in Tennessee on the holiday became legal, according to reporting by The Tennessean, a part of the USA TODAY Network. Booze for all!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, but only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. No moonshine for you, hillbilly!
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? According to the Tennessee State Government's website, alcohol can be sold Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Because you need to sleep eventually, Tennessee...

Texas (The Sh*tshow State)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. “Texas law allows for retail alcohol sales on July 4 – there are no restrictions for sales on that date,” Chris Porter, Director of Communications/Executive Division at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, said. Man, Texas has too many problems to care about alcohol...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? “Yes, Texas grocery stores can obtain a permit to sell wine and malt beverage products with an alcohol content up to 17% ABV,” Porter said. That's a lot of booze...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas law states that you can buy alcohol from grocery and convenience stores from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Sunday morning) and then on Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Hours for liquor stores are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Plenty of time to get your fix...

Utah (The "Mormons Drink?" State)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July?“Yes, but not in state liquor stores,” Michelle Schmitt, Communications Director at Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, said. ‘All state liquor stores are open during their regular business hours on July 3 and are closed on the Fourth of July.” Oh, Mormons...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? "Yes, but wine is not permitted for sale in grocery and convenience stores,” Schmitt said. Huh, who knew?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? “State liquor stores are open from 11 a.m. until either 7 p.m. or 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday,” Schmitt said. “The stores are closed on Sundays and on state and national holidays.” Praise Jesus and pass the wine!

Vermont (The Green One)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, but liquor stores like Discount Beverage and Redemption Center will change their hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Mattresses and liquor, classic Vermont...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Sure, why not?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. for bars and 6 a.m. to midnight for retailers, according to the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery. Bars, beer, and... well, that's it really...

Virginia (Are We In England?)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? “Yes. Our stores will open at their normal time and close at 6 p.m. on Independence Day,” said Pat Kane, Public Relations Specialist at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. 'Murica!
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Woo-hoo...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served?“Per Code of Virginia 3VAC5-50-30, licensed retailers can sell beer and wine between 6 a.m. and midnight,” Kane said. “Customers will need to confirm the hours of operation with those retailers.” Oh, Virginia...

The Dumb State of Washington

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes. Ugh...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes. Facepalm...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Alcohol can be sold in the state from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., according to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Julie Hayes with the Washington State Liquor Control Board told USA TODAY that There are no liquor laws that have a restriction on alcoholic purchases on the Fourth of July." Booze all around!

West Virginia (The Other Virginia)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? “Yes, at both off-premises businesses and on-premises businesses,” Gig Robinson, Public Information Specialist at the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, said. Well, at least they're consistent...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? “There are 182 retail liquor outlets in WV, and some are grocery stores and other types of mixed licenses,” Robinson said. “For example, drug stores, while other retail liquor outlets are free standing. Grocery stores and other types of off-premises licenses may sell beer and wine.” Wow, that's specific...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Robinson explained that liquor stores are open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Party in the WV!

Wisconsin (Wis-SMH-onsin)

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July? Yes, stores like Spirit Seller Liquors will be open. Why?
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? Yes, grocery stores like Quality Foods sell alcohol. Why not?
What hours can alcohol be sold or served? Wisconsin state law allows the sale of alcohol from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. in most cases, according to reporting by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a part of the USA TODAY Network. Ugh, Wisconsin...

Seriously, Wyoming?

Can you buy alcohol from stores on the Fourth of July?“Yes, there is no law requiring liquor stores to be closed on holidays in Wyoming,” Thomas Montoya, an Administrator at the Wyoming Department of Revenue Liquor Division, said. Surprise, surprise...
Can you buy "alcoholic beverages" in grocery stores? "It depends,” Montoya said. "If they hold a retail liquor license then they can sell spirits, wines and malt beverages. If they are a county located grocery store and hold a County Malt Beverage Permit, then they are restricted to malt beverages only.” So, basically, yes...
What hours can alcohol be sold or served?“There is no state statute governing the hours of operation.,” he said. “This is done on the local level through municipal ordinances and county resolutions. Almost all jurisdictions in Wyoming have operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following morning." Party in the USA, Wyoming style...

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com