Blue (and Other Oddball) Laws

[Photograph: Don Nunn on Flickr via SeriousEats]

Growing up in Massachuetts, I was familiar with the state's Blue Laws, a set of law governing businesses on Sundays and holidays, and a holdover from the days of Pilgrims and Puritans.

One of those laws included banning the sale of alcohol at liquor stores and supermarkets on Sundays and holidays, which was kind of an inconvenience. At least we weren't in nearby Belmont, a dry town that banned the sale of alcohol entirely!

Massachusetts has since reformed its way (and you can happily buy all the wine you want whenever you want), but many states still have odd laws of their own, regulating not just when you can buy liquor, but what liquor you can buy, where, and how.

In his piece on SeriousEats: Drinks, Michael Dietsch takes us through some of the odder rules.

For example, "In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it's unlawful to provide alcohol or tobacco to animals in public parks. Presumably, if you find a squirrel in your yard, it's okay to invite her down from the tree for a Mai Tai and a cigar."

And "South Carolina public schools, by law, devote the fourth Friday of every October to teaching kids about the dangers of overindulgence."

I'm just happy I live in New York City, where the craziest rule is that you can't drink alcohol before noon at brunch. But who goes to brunch before noon anyway? Probably only out-of-towners who are used to these crazy laws anyway! 

Read more about Oddball Liquor Laws.