What time can you buy alcohol in Arizona? Your liquor law questions, answered

Rebekah L. Sanders, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
Five cocktails in hands joined in celebratory toast.
Five cocktails in hands joined in celebratory toast.

Arizona's liquor laws have changed over the years. Gov. Doug Ducey allowed cocktails to-go for the first time in 2020 when restaurants and bars closed down at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example.

With metro Phoenix being named one of the hottest drinking destinations, here are answers to your questions about alcohol, licenses and the law.

What time do stores stop selling alcohol in Arizona?

Liquor stores, as well as beer and wine vendors, cannot sell alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day.

When do bars close in Arizona?

Bars, restaurants, wineries, breweries and events must stop selling alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day, and customers must stop drinking by 2:30 a.m.

How late must a restaurant with a liquor license keep its kitchen open?

Restaurants with liquor licenses must serve food until 10 p.m.

Can I buy to-go cocktails in Arizona?

A view of the Airmail cocktail standing alongside signature drinks served at Cham Pang Lanes in Phoenix.
A view of the Airmail cocktail standing alongside signature drinks served at Cham Pang Lanes in Phoenix.

Yes. Bars, liquor stores and restaurants can sell to-go cocktails with the proper licenses. Restaurants must offer at least one takeout food item as well.

What is the drinking age in Arizona?

21 years old.

What's the legal age to serve alcohol?

Bartenders must be at least 18 years old. Grocery clerks who sell alcohol along with other purchases can be 16.

Can kids be in a bar?

Yes, anyone under 21 years of age can go into a bar if they are with a spouse, parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age or if the minor is working at the bar. But they are not allowed to drink alcohol.

If I am 21, what forms of ID can I use to buy alcohol?

  • An unexpired driver's license issued by Arizona. (Drivers under 21 are issued vertical licenses, which are not acceptable to buy alcohol. When drivers turns 21, they must order a new horizontal license if they wish to make alcohol purchases. Order the license at https://azmvdnow.gov/home.)

  • An unexpired driver's license issued by another U.S. state, the District of Columbia or territory of the United States or Canada if the license includes a picture of the person and the person's date of birth.

  • An unexpired non-operating ID. (Cards issued by Arizona with a vertical design when the person was under 21 are not acceptable to buy alcohol. After turning 21, people can order a replacement horizontal ID at https://azmvdnow.gov/home. With that, they can make alcohol purchases.)

  • An unexpired armed forces ID that includes the person's picture and date of birth.

  • A valid unexpired passport or a valid unexpired resident alien card that contains a photograph of the person and the person's date of birth.

What is the penalty for using a fake ID in Arizona?

People under 21 who buy alcohol or use a false ID can be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, be sentenced to jail and lose driving privileges.

Consumer reporter Rebekah L. Sanders investigates issues of fraud and abuse involving businesses, health care and government agencies. Contact her at rsanders@azcentral.com or follow her on Twitter at @RebekahLSanders. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When can you buy alcohol in Arizona? Questions answered