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Massachusetts Where to Buy Alcohol (2026)
Conditional: Massachusetts is not a control state: beer, wine and spirits are sold by licensed private package stores.
Massachusetts is not a control state: beer, wine and spirits are sold by licensed private package stores. Some grocery and convenience chains sell alcohol, but a single owner is capped on the number of off-premises licenses statewide, so supermarket availability is limited.
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Where to Buy Alcohol in states bordering Massachusetts
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ConnecticutConditional
Connecticut is not a control state, but spirits and wine are restricted: package stores sell beer, wine and spirits, while grocery and convenience stores may sell beer only (no wine or spirits). A person may hold only one off-premise spirit/wine permit.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: portal.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
- New HampshireConditional
New Hampshire is a control state for spirits and wine: distilled spirits (and much wine) are sold through the state-run NH Liquor & Wine Outlets, including large stores on interstate highways, while beer and some wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: gc.nh.gov · Full New Hampshire rule →
- New YorkConditional
New York is a license state, not a control state: spirits and wine are sold only at licensed package (liquor) stores, and grocery, drug and convenience stores may sell beer, cider and "wine products" under 6% alcohol by volume but cannot sell table wine or spirits. The State Liquor Authority is the regulator.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: nysenate.gov · Full New York rule →
- Rhode IslandConditional
Rhode Island is not a control state, but retail is tightly restricted: beer, wine and spirits for off-premise sale are sold only at licensed package (liquor) stores. Grocery and convenience stores do not sell beer or wine, apart from limited grandfathered exceptions.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov · Full Rhode Island rule →
- VermontConditional
Vermont is a control state for spirits: distilled spirits are sold through state-contracted 802Spirits agency stores (Department of Liquor & Lottery, Division of Liquor Control), while beer and wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: liquorcontrol.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →
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