A Very UNMerry Christmas

If you’re traveling to spend time with family or in-laws this week, and you know darn well you’re going to need some stiff drinks to make it through, well, you better stock up before Christmas Day.  Did you know that 24 of our United States have a standing ban on the sale of some or even all liquors on Christmas Day?  And that’s if you can find a store that’s open.

If you’re wondering if you’ve just unwittingly ventured into a “No Booze Zone,” here’s a list of states with restrictions.

Arkansas.  All alcohol sales are prohibited, including wine and beer sold in grocery stores and any sales at bars and restaurants. And they are super serious about it.  Anyone who violates the law faces up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Colorado. Oh, you can buy pot, but if you want to buy beer, wine, or spirits from a liquor or grocery store you’re out of luck. However, you can get a drink at a bar or restaurant.

Connecticut.  This state bans booze sales on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving. Bars and restaurants continue to serve.

Georgia.  About one-third of the counties in this peachy state don’t allow liquor sales on Christmas.

Idaho.   Since all state-run liquor stores are closed, you’re not going to find anything stronger than beer or wine.

Kansas.   All alcohol sales there are banned on Christmas, which isn’t surprising when you discover that Kansas was the last state to repeal Prohibition.

Massachusetts.  Their state slogan may be “Make It Yours,” but they’re going to make you leave the state if you want booze, since Massachusetts still bans all retail alcohol sales on Christmas, as well as Thanksgiving.

Minnesota.  You better run to the store now, because it’s not just on Christmas Day that you can’t buy alcohol here. It’s also illegal to sell it after 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. (Booze that’s under 3.2% alcohol by volume is exempt.)

Mississippi.  You won’t be able to get anything especially strong on Christmas, but you can buy booze with 5% alcohol by volume or less.  So, um, cooking sherry?

New Hampshire.  Technically, alcohol sales aren’t banned on Christmas Day, but you can only buy liquor in state-run stores, which will be closed.  Boom.

New Mexico.  You can get a drink in a bar or restaurant, but liquor sales in stores aren’t allowed.

New York.  This one may surprise you, but the city that never sleeps lies within in a state that prohibits all alcohol retail sales on December 25.

North Carolina. Liquor stores close at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and stay shuttered Christmas Day. You can, however, buy beer and wine in grocery stores.

North Dakota. There are no liquor sales after 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and through Christmas Day.  But hey, you might be snowed in anyway.

Ohio.  All state-run liquor stores in the buckeye state are closed on Christmas.  Bah, humbug.

Oklahoma.  A new state law means you can buy beer or wine in the grocery store, but retail sales at liquor stores are disallowed on Christmas. The prohibition extends to New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Fourth of July, among other holidays. Ohhhh-Kay!

Pennsylvania.  You can get beer or wine at the local grocery store, but if you want something stronger, you’ll have to pick it up before 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when all liquor stores close down till after the holiday.

South Carolina.  All retail liquor sales are banned, per orders from the Grinch, on December 25th.

Tennessee.  Yes, the state from whence Jack Daniels came won’t let you buy liquor OR wine at stores on Christmas.

Texas.  Everything’s bigger in Texas, including their bans on alcohol sales. Absolutely no alcohol retail sales are allowed on Christmas, whether at a store, bar or restaurant.

Utah.  State-run liquor stores are closed. But, here’s your silver bell lining: technically, breweries, wineries or distilleries are allowed to sell alcohol, that is, if they’re open.

Virginia.  Virginia’s state-run liquor stores are closed Christmas Day.  Heads Up: yhey also have limited hours on New Year’s Day.

West Virginia.  Almost Heaven?  You can get a drink in a bar or restaurant, but liquor sales at retail are forbidden on Christmas.

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