← Massachusetts alcohol laws›Beer & Wine in Grocery Stores

Massachusetts Beer & Wine in Grocery Stores (2026)

Conditional: In Massachusetts, groceries can sell beer and wine, but a statewide cap of 9 off-premises licenses per person or entity — and no more than one per town or two per city — means many supermarket locations cannot sell.

ConditionalVerified Jul 28, 2026

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Official source: malegislature.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Beer & Wine in Grocery Stores in states bordering Massachusetts

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ConnecticutConditional
In Connecticut, beer is sold in grocery stores under a grocery beer permit, but wine and spirits are package-store only. A 2025 bill to allow grocery wine did not pass.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: cga.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
New HampshirePermitted
In New Hampshire, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and wine under a retail wine license, while spirits come only from the state-run NH Liquor & Wine Outlets. Those outlets in turn do not sell beer or anything at or below 6% alcohol by volume.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: gov.liquorandwineoutlets.com · Full New Hampshire rule →
New YorkConditional
In New York, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and wine coolers only — wine and spirits require a liquor store.
Verified Jun 5, 2026 · Source: nysenate.gov · Full New York rule →
Rhode IslandRestricted
Rhode Island does not allow beer, wine or spirits to be sold in groceries or convenience stores — all three are sold only in licensed package or liquor stores.
Verified Jun 5, 2026 · Source: dbr.ri.gov · Full Rhode Island rule →
VermontPermitted
In Vermont, groceries and convenience stores sell beer, cider, wine and even ready-to-drink spirit beverages under a Second Class license, but full-size spirits require a separate 802Spirits agency store.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: liquorcontrol.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →

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