People Alcohol Laws Drinking Drink Blue Serving Cocktails

In the United States, there are many "restrictions" (limitations or rules) on buying and drinking alcohol. The "drinking age" (the minimum age for someone to drink alcohol legally) is a law that "prevents" (doesn't allow) people from drinking if they are less than 21 years old. There are many other restrictions for people who are older than 21.

Most states have open "container" (bottle, box, or other packaging) laws. These laws prevent people from having or drinking out of an open container of alcohol in "vehicles" (cars) and public areas. This means, for example, that people who have a "picnic" (food eaten outdoors, usually in a park or a nice natural area) cannot have alcohol, although many people do it anyway.

Many cities and states also have "blue laws." A blue law is a law that restricts the activities that people can do on Sunday. Specifically, blue laws don't allow people to buy alcohol on Sunday, or sometimes just on Sunday morning. Other blue laws don't allow alcohol to be sold after a certain time on Saturday afternoons, either. People who "advocate for" (think something is a good idea) these laws believe that by not selling alcohol on Sunday, people are more likely to spend the time with their families and/or in church. Of course, people might buy a lot of alcohol earlier in the week and then drink it on Sunday anyway.

There are also restrictions on where alcohol can be sold. Stores and restaurants that want to sell alcohol must have a "liquor" (alcohol) "license" (legal permission). When a store or restaurant "applies for" (asks for) a liquor license, the community is "notified" (informed) and has an opportunity to "comment on" (say what people think about) whether or not it should get a liquor license.