Top 10 Most Ridiculous Alcohol Laws

Drinking alcohol in excess has impaired the judgment and decision making of many, but the following list of absurd drinking laws have presumably been legislated by solemn and sober lawmakers we assume are clear-thinking, responsible adults empowered to govern.

10) Happy Hour Prohibited

In Massachusetts, happy hours are illegal — not the actual hours designated as “happy hours,” but rather the discounted sale of liquor. In Utah, no establishment with a license can host “drink specials.”

9) Illegal to Watch Bartender Make Drinks

Another Utah law prohibits liquor to be on display, and forbids customers from witnessing a bartender mix drinks. As a result, the bar area of many restaurants is behind closed doors. Wine is allowed to be on display but the bottles have to be empty.

8) Alcohol Banned During Hurricane

Not exactly, but a little-known 1974 Florida law gives the governor the power to ban all alcohol sales during a state of emergency. Whether this law is invoked is up to the governor in power. Also in Florida, the Champagne bottle sizes known as Methuselahs, Salamanazars, Balthazars or Nebuchadnezzars are all illegal.

7) Guns Allowed in Bars

In Ohio, patrons who have permits are allowed to bring guns into bars, restaurants, and other places that serve beer, wine and liquor. Although permit holders are not allowed to drink alcohol, some people are bound to ignore the law, and everyone knows alcohol and guns don’t mix.

6) Illegal to Buy A Round

In the town of Nyala, Nevada, it’s illegal to buy a round for the house. The town prohibits anyone from buying drinks for more than three people at a time, including the purchaser.

5) Selling Beer Illegal Unless Soup is On

In Nebraska, it’s illegal for a bar to sell beer unless it is simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup.

4) Illegal To Get a Moose Drunk

In Fairbanks, Alaska, it is against the law to give a moose any kind of alcohol.

3) Illegal to Drink in Bed With Wife

In Iowa, it’s illegal for men to drink beer while they are in bed with their wives. It’s also is illegal to run a tab in Iowa.

2) No Drunk Fish

In Ohio, it’s illegal to get a fish drunk.

1) Arrested for Drinking in a Bar

In Texas, cops can enter any bar and arrest its patrons on the spot for being drunk. The public intoxication standard is so broad that you can be arrested without being given a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test.

Another law in Texas states that no person can consume more than three sips of beer at a time if they are standing up.

Also in Texas, the complete Encyclopedia Britannica collection is banned because one of the volumes contains a homemade beer recipe.