Washington: Where can you buy liquor?
Washington sells liquor through private licensed stores, mostly large retailers; the state left the liquor business after a 2011 ballot initiative.
Initiative 1183, approved by voters in November 2011, created the spirits retail license now in RCW 66.24.630. Licenses generally go to stores with at least 10,000 square feet of retail space, so many grocery and big-box stores sell liquor. Former state and contract liquor stores, and stores in areas with no other spirits retailer, are exempt from the size rule. Licensees pay the state a fee of 17 percent of spirits sales.
Conditions
- Store generally must have at least 10,000 sq ft of retail space
What the law says
There is a spirits retail license to: Sell spirits in original containers to consumers for consumption off the licensed premises and to permit holders; sell spirits in original containers to retailers licensed to sell spirits for consumption on the premises, for resale at their licensed premises according to the terms of their licenses; and export spirits.
Sources
- RCW 66.24.630 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board: Directory Official · lcb.wa.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
- Phone
- (360) 664-1600
- Website
- lcb.wa.gov
How bordering states compare
- Idaho Government-run storesIdaho sells liquor only through state-run liquor stores and state-authorized contract stores supplied by the Idaho State Liquor Division.
- 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.
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