New Mexico: Where can you buy liquor?
New Mexico liquor is sold by privately owned businesses holding state liquor licenses, including package stores, grocery stores and convenience stores.
The state does not run liquor stores. Shops that sell bottles to go need a Dispenser-type license, and New Mexico caps how many of those licenses exist, so new ones are usually bought from existing holders with state approval. Grocery and convenience stores can sell spirits if they hold one of these licenses. Wholesalers are separately licensed private businesses.
What the law says
Some examples of businesses that need a Dispenser license are: bars, full-service restaurants that have a bar, convenience stores, grocery stores, wine bars, gift shops, nightclubs, and package liquor stores.
Sources
- NM RLD Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, FAQs for Potential Licensees Official · rld.nm.gov
- NM RLD Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, Licensing Official · rld.nm.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division
- Phone
- 505-476-4875
- Website
- rld.nm.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arizona Private licensed storesArizona licenses private liquor stores to sell spirits for off-premises drinking; the state runs no liquor stores.
- Colorado Private licensed storesColorado licenses private retail liquor stores to sell spirits in sealed containers; the state does not buy or sell liquor.
- Oklahoma Private licensed storesOklahoma liquor is sold by privately owned retail liquor stores licensed by the ABLE Commission, which buy from licensed wholesalers.
- Texas Private licensed storesTexas sells liquor through privately owned package stores that buy from private wholesalers; the state does not sell liquor.
- Utah Government-run storesUtah sells liquor in state-run stores staffed by state employees, plus contract package agencies in smaller towns and resorts.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in New Mexico