Liquor Laws - An Interstate Conundrum

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      About ten years ago, I did quite a bit of travelling for my company. I drove all over New York and into some neighboring states...mainly Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. When venturing into these other states, you'll notice little differences. Sometimes, big differences. Like, when I was in New Jersey, I couldn't pump my own gas. An attendant had to do it for me. Or, the time at a restaurant in Pennsylvania, where another patron lit up a cigarette at the bar. Sometimes you forget you're in another place until these little things remind you.

      One of the biggest differences that I discovered between states were in their liquor laws. Recently, I was at the supermarket on a Sunday morning. It's my usual routine. However, I had woken up early on this particular Sunday so I was at the store earlier than normal. I also decided to pick up a twelve pack of beer. Something that isn't my usual routine.

      As I was putting my groceries on the conveyor belt, the cashier tells me I'm not allowed to buy beer before 8 am. Not allowed? I'm an adult, damn it! I'll do whatever I want!

      "Why, what ever do you mean ma'am?" I calmly asked. Of course I vaguely knew what she meant. State law. I remember not long ago, maybe 15 years, when the law was no alcohol sales before noon on Sundays. Now it's before 8.

      If you want a beer in Pennsylvania, you either go to a bar or to a state-run store. The state-run stores are where you go to get wine and liquor, too. I stopped at one of these stores once. It was a big warehouse with stacks of alcohol everywhere. I ended up leaving there empty handed because the beer prices were essentially double what they are here. I decided I wasn't that hard up for a beer.

      One time I had to spend a week in New Jersey. I was determined to get my hands on some alcohol. So I figured a supermarket would be a good place to go. I walked around the store twice before finally asking an employee where their beer was. He told me they don't sell alcohol. I could either go to a bar or to a liquor store which was in a pizza place. I decided I was having Italian for dinner.

      When I walked into the pizza shop, there was a little hallway to the left where the bathrooms were. Beyond that was a typical looking liquor store. I grabbed a jug of red wine to go with the chicken parm and Caesar salad and headed back to my hotel room.

      Thank you for reading. What are some quirky laws in your state? Alcohol or otherwise? I'd love to hear them.

Resources:

Pennsylvania Liquor Laws
Comparison: NY/NJ Liquor Laws

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