Don’t get caught short this Easter.
If you’d like to kick back with a beer on Good Friday, or need to bring a bottle of something fancy to family lunch on Easter Sunday, it’s probably a good idea to plan ahead. That way, you won’t find yourself standing outside a shuttered Dan Murphy’s store, your empty reusable shopping bag flapping emptily in the wind like some kind of sad flag of surrender in the battle against thirst.
Navigating Australia’s liquor and retail-trading laws is confusing as the best of times, so we went down the rabbit hole for you. While we didn’t find a Wonderland at the end of it, we did discover that, depending on which state or territory you live in, the rules vary wildly. So scroll on and find out when and where you can buy alcohol over the Easter long weekend this year.
Are bottle shops open over Easter in NSW?
All bottle shops across NSW will be closed on Good Friday, and takeaway sales are not permitted. However, you can purchase alcohol between 12-10pm if you’re at a club or pub (with no meal required), or at a restaurant alongside a meal. Takeaway sales from these venues is not permitted.
But there is a loophole: liquor producers (such as breweries, distilleries and wineries) are still permitted to sell takeaway on Good Friday.
Normal trading resumes on Easter Saturday, then some bottle shops will be closed or have reduced trading hours on Easter Sunday, before normal trading resumes on Easter Monday.
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Are bottle shops open over Easter in Victoria?
Most major bottle shops are closed on Good Friday, but you will find a few small, independent bottle shops open. Pubs and clubs can also sell alcohol from 12pm without needing to serve food, and restaurants can serve you alcohol alongside a meal. Takeaway sales from these venues is not permitted.
Liquor producers (such as breweries, distilleries and wineries) are still permitted to sell takeaway on Good Friday.
Normal trading resumes on Easter Saturday and continues throughout the long weekend, although some stores may have reduced trading hours.
Are bottle shops open over Easter in the ACT?
There are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday from any bottle shop or venue, but many businesses still choose to close. Major bottle shops are most likely to close, but you may find smaller chains and independent bottle shops open. Businesses can trade as usual on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
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Are bottle shops open over Easter in Queensland?
All bottle shops across Queensland will be closed on Good Friday, and takeaway sales are not permitted. Venues such as clubs and restaurants can serve alcohol with a meal, and the meal has to be prepared, served and eaten on the premises. It must be a meal that requires being eaten with cutlery while seated. No snacks or entrees. You can buy alcohol to drink with your meal from 1 hour before to 1 hour after eating your meal.
Normal trading resumes on Easter Saturday and continues throughout the long weekend.
Are bottle shops open over Easter in South Australia?
South Australia has reformed its liquor legislation, and there are now no restrictions on the sale of alcohol at licensed venues on Good Friday, including takeaway. Licensed producers, such as wineries and breweries, are also permitted to sell alcohol. However, some venues may still choose to close. Retail laws, on the other hand, require bottle shops to close, although you might find smaller independent liquor stores open.
Normal trading continues throughout the long weekend, although some may have reduced hours or choose to remain closed.
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Are bottle shops open over Easter in Tasmania?
There are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday from smaller bottle shops and venues like pubs and clubs. However, larger bottle-shop retailers (more than 250 employees) must remain closed. Businesses can trade as usual on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, however, some may have reduced hours.
Are bottle shops open over Easter in Western Australia?
Western Australia reformed its liquor laws to help ‘reinvigorate’ the hospitality industry, which means that alcohol can now be served at hotels, taverns, small bars and liquor producers (such as wineries and breweries) with or without a meal on Good Friday. Trading hours have also been extended to 10am to midnight. However, all bottle shops must remain closed, and no takeaway sales of alcohol are permitted, unless it’s from the aforementioned liquor producers.
Businesses can trade as usual on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, although may have reduced hours or may remain closed.
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Are bottle shops open over Easter in the Northern Territory?
All bottle shops are closed on Good Friday, however, pubs, clubs and restaurants can sell you alcohol between 11am and 9pm. All takeaway alcohol sales are forbidden. Businesses can trade as usual on Easter Saturday.
As for Easter Sunday, it should be noted that in the Northern Territory on Sundays, only bottle shops or drive-throughs attached to a licensed venue can open. Standalone bottle shops are not permitted to open on Sundays. No takeaway alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays in Tennant Creek and surrounds, however, you can purchase alcohol to consume inside a pub or club.
Easter Monday is a public holiday, which means takeaway sales will be available for reduced hours. In Alice Springs, takeaway alcohol sales are banned on Mondays.
You will also always need to show an approved form of ID to purchase alcohol. This is to confirm that you are not banned from buying alcohol. If you’re in the Greater Darwin area, staff are also legally obliged to ask you where you intend to drink your takeaway alcohol.
The above is strictly a guide. Check with your local bottle shop for specific opening hours.
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