Wisconsin’s alcohol laws can seem confusing because there’s a mix of statewide rules and local ordinances. Different license types—such as bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and liquor stores have different permitted hours for selling alcohol. Here’s a breakdown of when alcohol sales must stop in Wisconsin, and where local rules matter most.
1. On-Premise Sales: Bars & Restaurants
For establishments that hold a Class B license (bars, taverns, restaurants):
- These venues must cease alcohol sales between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on weekdays.
- On Saturday and Sunday nights, the closing time moves slightly: they have to close by 2:30 a.m..
- There are a few exceptions: for example, on New Year’s Eve, Class B establishments are not required to close.
These rules ensure a statewide baseline for how late places serving alcohol on their premises can operate.
2. Off-Premise Sales: Liquor Stores, Grocery & Convenience Stores
For off-premise retailers, the rules differ based on the type of alcohol:
- Fermented Malt Beverages (Beer): Class A retailers (liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores) cannot sell beer between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless local ordinances say otherwise.
- Intoxicating Liquor (Wine, Spirits): Class A liquor retailers are not permitted to sell liquor between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. by default.
- However, municipalities can impose stricter hours than these defaults.
This means that while state law provides the latest possible time for off-premise alcohol sales, local cities or towns may shut down earlier.
3. Key Legal Statutes
Wisconsin Statute § 125.32 is especially important: it outlines “closing hours” for different classes of licensees.
- Under this section, the “no alcohol sales” window for Class B licensees is clearly defined, including the special weekend exception.
- It also covers restrictions on off-premise beer and liquor sales.
Wisconsin’s Publication 302 (a guidance document for alcohol retailers) spells out how these rules apply in real life, including taste testing rules and the midnight cutoff for beer in off-premise outlets.
4. Why These Rules Matter
1. Public Safety: Restricting late-night alcohol sales helps reduce risks associated with overconsumption.
2. Local Control: Because municipalities can impose stricter rules, communities get to tailor alcohol availability to their needs.
3. Business Impact: Retailers, bars, and restaurants must carefully plan their operations (staffing, inventory) to comply with these legal closing times.
4. Things to Watch Out For
- Local Ordinances Vary: Just because state law allows certain hours doesn’t mean every town does. For example, some municipalities limit alcohol sales more strictly than state defaults.
- New Year’s Eve Exception: Some bars may legally stay open past the usual 2 a.m. cutoff on New Year’s Eve.
- City-Specific Restrictions: If you’re planning a late-night alcohol run, it’s smart to check local rules in your city or town—they may be more restrictive than the state.
Bottom Line:
In Wisconsin, most bars and restaurants must stop selling alcohol by 2:00 a.m. (or 2:30 a.m. on weekends), while beer and liquor stores have cutoffs at midnight or 9:00 p.m., depending on the type of alcohol and the license. But local laws can change things, so always double-check local regulations if you want to be sure.
