Pennsylvania: Where can you buy liquor?
Pennsylvania sells bottled liquor in state-run Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores operated by the Liquor Control Board.
The Liquor Code directs the board to run state stores for the sale of liquor, and the board operates about 560 of them. The board decides which brands are sold and where. It also licenses about 20,000 private alcohol producers, retailers and handlers, but bottled liquor for the public is sold through the state stores.
What the law says
The board shall establish, operate and maintain at such places throughout the Commonwealth as it shall deem essential and advisable, stores to be known as "Pennsylvania Liquor Stores," for the sale of liquor and alcohol in accordance with the provisions of and the regulations made under this act;
Sources
- Pennsylvania Liquor Code, Act of 1951-21, § 301 (47 P.S. § 3-301) Official · legis.state.pa.us
- Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, About Us Official · pa.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
- Website
- pa.gov
How bordering states compare
- Delaware Private licensed storesDelaware licenses private package stores to sell spirits, wine and beer; they buy from private importers, not the state.
- Maryland Private licensed storesMaryland licenses private stores through local boards; the state does not sell liquor, though Montgomery County runs its own system.
- New Jersey Private licensed storesNew Jersey liquor is sold by privately owned stores holding a plenary retail distribution license; the state does not sell liquor.
- New York Private licensed storesNew York liquor is sold by privately owned liquor stores licensed by the State Liquor Authority; the state does not sell spirits.
- Ohio Private agency storesOhio sells bottled liquor through privately run businesses acting as agents of the state Division of Liquor Control, at state-set prices.
- West Virginia State wholesale, private storesWest Virginia is the only liquor wholesaler, but privately owned licensed retail outlets sell liquor to the public.
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in Pennsylvania