Idaho: Where can you buy liquor?
Idaho sells liquor only through state-run liquor stores and state-authorized contract stores supplied by the Idaho State Liquor Division.
The Idaho State Liquor Division buys spirits and ships them to its own stores and to private contract stores. State law gives the division the power to buy and sell liquor and to open and close state liquor stores. Contract stores outnumber state stores (the division's 2025 annual report lists 68 state stores and more than 100 contract stores), but the commissions paid to contract stores suggest most sales happen in state stores. Ordinary private liquor stores cannot sell bottled spirits.
What the law says
Distilled spirits are only sold in state-operated liquor stores and contract retail stores that are authorized by the ISLD. ... The ISLD ships to all retail stores (state-run and contractors) via a third party contract carrier.
Sources
- Idaho State Liquor Division Official · liquor.idaho.gov
- Idaho Code § 23-203 Official · legislature.idaho.gov
- Idaho State Liquor Division, 2025 Annual Report Official · liquor.idaho.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Idaho State Liquor Division
- Phone
- 208-947-9400
- Website
- liquor.idaho.gov
How bordering states compare
- Montana Private agency storesMontana sells liquor through privately owned agency liquor stores under contract with the state, supplied from the state liquor warehouse.
- Nevada Private licensed storesNevada liquor is sold by privately owned licensed retailers, which must buy from state-licensed private wholesalers.
- Oregon Private agency storesOregon's liquor commission is the only legal seller of spirits; privately run stores sell on its behalf at prices it sets.
- Utah Government-run storesUtah sells liquor in state-run stores staffed by state employees, plus contract package agencies in smaller towns and resorts.
- Washington Private licensed storesWashington sells liquor through private licensed stores, mostly large retailers; the state left the liquor business after a 2011 ballot initiative.
- Wyoming State wholesale, private storesWyoming's Liquor Division is the only liquor wholesaler, but private businesses with local retail licenses sell liquor to the public.