Alcohol — Buying Times

Off-licences and supermarkets must stop all alcohol sales by 10:00 pm sharp, leading to a "last-minute rush" that is a common sight in Irish towns. The Logic (and Lack Thereof) Why do these times exist?

In several U.S. states and countries like Ireland , alcohol sales are often pushed back on Sundays. For example, in Ireland, off-licence sales only begin at 12:30 pm on Sundays compared to 10:30 am during the week. alcohol buying times

You may notice a strange "afternoon gap." Alcohol sales are typically permitted only from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and then again from 5:00 pm to midnight . If you try to buy a beer at 3:00 pm, you'll likely find the coolers locked. Off-licences and supermarkets must stop all alcohol sales

Many modern restrictions are remnants of , religious-based regulations designed to enforce a "day of rest" or morality. While these have faded in many places, their impact still lingers: states and countries like Ireland , alcohol sales

Buying times vary wildly depending on where you are standing: