When it comes to enjoying a drink, every country has its own rules—and some of them are downright bizarre. From ancient traditions to modern quirks, here are some of the strangest liquor laws from around the world that will make you raise your glass (or maybe your eyebrows).
1. No Alcohol on Election Day – Thailand
In Thailand, buying or consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited on election days. The government believes sober decision-making is best at the ballot box—and that means absolutely no beer runs until the polls close.
2. No Dancing While Drinking – Sweden
At some Swedish bars, dancing without a permit is technically illegal. That’s right—if a bar doesn’t have a special “dance license,” you could be asked to stop mid-boogie, even if the drinks are flowing.
3. No Alcohol in Public – United States (Varies by State)
While it’s common knowledge that you can’t stroll down the street with a beer in many U.S. cities, some places take it a step further. In Utah, for example, bartenders used to be required to prepare drinks behind a “Zion Curtain” to shield patrons from the sinful sight of mixology in action.
4. Only One Type of Liquor Allowed – Bolivia
In some regions of Bolivia, local regulations only allow the sale of a single type of alcohol per establishment. That means if a bar serves beer, it might not legally be allowed to sell wine or spirits—talk about narrowing down your drink menu!
5. No Alcohol on Certain Days – India
India has "dry days"—holidays and election days when the sale of alcohol is banned nationwide. On top of that, some states like Gujarat are entirely alcohol-free unless you’re carrying a special permit.
6. Drinking Age 16 for Beer, 18 for Spirits – Germany
Germany has a tiered system when it comes to age restrictions. Teenagers can legally drink beer and wine at 16, but must wait until 18 to try spirits. It's an unusual—but culturally accepted—approach that focuses more on education than prohibition.
7. No Buying Cold Beer – Indiana, USA
Until 2018, Indiana gas stations and grocery stores could only sell warm beer. Why? The law aimed to discourage impulsive drinking and encourage people to plan ahead—because nothing says “party” like premeditated beer chilling.
8. B.Y.O.B. Only – Some Canadian Provinces
In parts of Canada, certain restaurants don’t have liquor licenses but allow guests to bring their own alcohol for a small “corkage” fee. It’s perfectly legal—just don’t forget the bottle opener!
9. Alcohol = Witchcraft? – Sudan
In Sudan, alcohol is banned entirely under Islamic law. In fact, being caught in possession of alcohol can result in harsh penalties—including flogging—though the laws have seen some softening in recent years.
10. No Clinking Glasses – Hungary
Legend has it that after the Austrians defeated the Hungarian revolutionaries in 1849, they celebrated by clinking their beer glasses. In response, Hungarians vowed never to clink glasses again—and the tradition stuck. Today, it’s still considered bad form to cheers with beer in Hungary.
Bottoms Up… or Maybe Not
Whether you're traveling abroad or just brushing up on global quirks, these strange liquor laws serve as a reminder: the rules of the pour can be as varied as the drinks themselves. Always do a quick check before sipping in a new country—you never know what might be illegal (or expected!).
If you missed any of our past posts, you can read them here, and don’t forget to look out for next week's blog post; Signature Cocktails Inspired By Iowa.
Thanks for reading, we appreciate you!! Cheers!