Frequently Asked Questions

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Serving Hours

During what hours may liquor be served?: Liquor may not be sold at an on-sale or off-sale retail licensed premise between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.; An on-sale retail licensee may not allow a person to consume spirituous liquor on the premises between the hours 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. [A.R.S. 4-244(15)(17)]
When can liquor be served on election day?: Election days are like any other day. There is no extra prohibition with respect to hours of operation.
May a restaurant licensee decide when to stop serving food and continue serving liquor?: No. The kitchen must remain open for complete food service until 10:00 p.m.

Liquor and Age

What is the legal drinking age in the State of Arizona?: 21 years of age [A.R.S. 4-101(16)]
What is the minimum age for serving/selling of alcoholic beverages?: Eighteen years of age for an on-sale establishment and eighteen years of age for an off-sale establishment that sells primarily spirituous liquor. Sixteen years of age for an off-sale establishment that sells primarily items other than spirituous liquor. [A.R.S. 4-244(10)(11)]
How old do you have to be to buy non-alcoholic beer?: The Department of Liquor Licenses and Control does not control the retail sale of non-alcoholic beverages.
Can kids be in a bar?: Yes, if the person under the legal drinking age is accompanied by a spouse, parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age or is an on-duty employee of the licensee. A bar is described as an establishment with the primary purpose of the sale and consumption of liquor. [A.R.S. 4-244(22)(a)]
Under what circumstances may an underage person be in a bar?: Only when he or she is with a parent, legal guardian or spouse of legal age. An "on-duty" employee who is at least 19 years of age may also be in the bar. A bar is described as an establishment with the primary purpose of the sale and consumption of liquor.[A.R.S. 4-244(22)]
May an underage person consume alcohol on a licensed premise if he is with a parent who consents?: No. [A.R.S. 4-244(9,16)]

Identification

Is it legal for a customer to be on a licensed premise without proper identification?

Yes, however, if asked by the establishment to show proper I.D., the customer must produce it in order to be served. [A.R.S. 4-241(A)]

What are the acceptable forms of identification?

The following written instruments are the only types of identification that are acceptable:

An unexpired driver license issued by this state. A driver license issued to a person who is under twenty-one years of age is no longer an acceptable type of identification under this paragraph thirty days after the person turns twenty-one years of age.
An unexpired driver license issued by any other state, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States or Canada if the license includes a picture of the person and the person's date of birth.
An unexpired nonoperating identification license issued pursuant to section 28-3165. An unexpired nonoperating license issued to a person who is under twenty-one years of age is no longer an acceptable type of identification under this paragraph thirty days after the person turns twenty-one years of age.
An unexpired armed forces identification card that includes the person's picture and date of birth.
A valid unexpired passport or a valid unexpired resident alien card that contains a photograph of the person and the person's date of birth.
A form of identification license issued by any other state, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United states or Canada if the license is substantially equivalent to a nonoperating identification license issued pursuant to section 28-3165 and includes a picture of the person and the person's date of birth.
An unexpired armed forces identification card that includes the person's picture and date of birth.
A valid unexpired passport or a valid unexpired resident alient card that contains a photograph of the person and the person's date of birth.
[A.R.S. 4-241(K)]

What are the penalties for using false identification?

People under age 21 who use a false-identifying instrument or otherwise purchase alcoholic beverages may, in addition to other privileges, be subject to losing driving privileges.

May an underage person who attempts to buy liquor with a false I.D. go to jail?

Yes. He could be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. [A.R.S. 4-241(D)]

Qualification and Licensing

How long does it take to process a license after application has been made?: Approximately 65-105 days.
If I had an arrest several years ago, may I still apply for a license?: A.R.S. 4-202(D) No license shall be issued to any person who, within one year prior to application, has had a license revoked. No license shall be issued to or renewed for any person who, within five years prior to application, has been convicted of a felony or convicted of an offense in another state that would be a felony in this state, provided that for a conviction of a corporation to be a basis for denial under the provisions of this section, the limitations provided in Section 4-210, Subsection A, Paragraph 8, shall apply. No corporation shall have its annual license issued or renewed unless it has on file with the department a list of its officers and directors and any stockholders who own ten percent or more of the corporation.
How many citations are issued to a license before a liquor license is revoked?: If it's serious enough, the first citation could result in revocation.
Is it mandatory that licensees and their employees attend an alcohol management/liquor law program?: No. However, on any original applications, new managers and/or the person responsible for the day-to-day operations must attend a basic and management training class. [A.R.S. 4-112(G)(2)]

Operational Matters

Do I have to buy all alcohol from a wholesaler?: Yes. [A.R.S. 4-243.01, 4-244(7)]
If I reported an act of violence to the police, do I have to report it to you?: A licensee shall report an act of violence to either the department or a law enforcement agency. [A.R.S. 4-244(37)]
Where can I get a copy of the liquor laws?: They are available on this site under laws.
What is the primary area of enforcement in liquor sales?: The most highly enforced areas are overserving and selling to minors.
Is it legal for the band to drink?: Yes. Persons on the premises for a vocal or musical performance may consume alcohol while on duty. [A.R.S. 4-244(13), 4-101(14)]
May an employee be held liable for serving an intoxicated person?: Yes. An employee could be held criminally liable. He also could be named in a civil lawsuit should an accident result.
May an employee be cited for serving an intoxicated person after having followed the employers orders to do so?: Yes. [A.R.S. 4-244(14)]
May a bar owner drink alcoholic beverages in his own establishment?: Yes, when he is not serving customers. He may not be intoxicated or disorderly while on the premises. [A.R.S. 4-244(14)]
May liquor be removed from an on-sale establishment by a customer?: Yes. A customer may take liquor in unbroken packages if the establishment has a Bar(Series 06) license or a Beer and Wine Bar(Series 07) License. Unfinished bottles of wine that have been recorked, flush with the top of the wine bottle (if the wine was served with a meal) may also be removed. [A.R.S. 4-244(31)]
May a licensed establishment offer coupons to be redeemed for alcoholic beverages?: Off sale liquor licensed retailers (businesses where liquor may not be consumed on the premises) may offer coupons. On-sale retailers (where liquor may be consumed on the premises) may not offer coupons. Title 4 (Arizona liquor law) does not specify whether a licensee may use coupons for the purchase of a non-alcoholic products in addition to the purchase of spirituous liquor, but it does not prohibit it. Title 4 does specify that off-sale retailers may, for example, offer a bottle of tequila with a coupon to get 50% off margarita mix. [A.A.C. R19-1-206 and A.A.C R19-1-228]
May a customer bring alcohol into a licensed establishment?: No. [A.R.S. 4-244(39)]
May a banquet customer purchase and bring alcohol to a function for which he has reserved a licensed establishment?: No. [A.R.S. 4-244(39)]
Is the parking lot legally considered part of a licensed premise?: No. [A.R.S. 4-101(24)]
Is a licensee responsible for problems that occur in his parking lot?: Yes, if he is aware of the problem. [A.R.S. 4-210(A)(10), A.A.C. R19-1-234]
May a bartender or server buy a drink for a customer?: No. [A.R.S. 4-244(13)]
How long may an obviously intoxicated person remain in the bar?: Thirty minutes from the time the state of intoxication is known or should be known to the licensee or employee of the licensee. This allows time for a sober person to arrive at the premises and drive the intoxicated person home. [A.R.S. 4-244(14)]
Must an employee list be posted in an on-sale licensed establishment?: No. But it must be current and available if requested by law enforcement. [A.R.S. 4-119]
When may the front doors of a licensed establishment be locked?: When all persons other than the licensee and his employees on duty have left the premises or if a holder of a club license has been granted permission by the director. [A.R.S. 4-228]
Is it legal for a restaurant with a Series 12 license to offer alcoholic beverages as part of its off-the-premises catering operation?: No. A restaurant license permits the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption only on the licensed premises. [A.R.S. 4-205.02(c)]
How many drinks may I serve to a person at one time?: The law no longer defines this limit at the number of drinks, but the amount of liquor served. It is unlawful for an on-sale retail licensee or employee to conduct drinking contests, or sell or deliver to a person an unlimited number of spirituous liquor beverages during any set period of time for a fixed price, to deliver more than fifty ounces of beer, one liter of wine or four ounces of distilled spirits in any spirituous liquor drink to one person at one time for that person's consumption or to advertise and practice prohibited by this paragraph. [ARS 4-244.23]