Wisconsin Alcohol Laws at a Glance
Wisconsin State Liquor Authority
State of Wisconsin
Department of Revenue - Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement
2135 Rimrock Road
P.O. Box 8933 Mail Stop 6-40
Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8933
Phone: 608-266-6757
Fax: 608-261-6240
Internet Website: WI DOR Website
Codes and Ordinance site for MANY municipalities in the State
Wisconsin Alcohol Ages
Age to consume: 21
Age to serve: 18
Age to sell (retail): 18
Age to pour: 18
Wisconsin Alcohol Hours of Operation
On Premise Establishments:
Monday thru Friday, 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday,
6:00 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. There is no closing time for the New Year’s holiday.
Off Premise / Retail Stores:
Wine & Liquor: Monday thru Sunday, 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Beer: Monday thru Sunday, 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.
Local municipalities may further restrict these hours.
Wisconsin's DRAM Shop Law
125.035 Civil liability exemption: furnishing alcohol beverages.
(1) In this section, person has the meaning given in s. 990.01 (26).
(2) A person is immune from civil liability arising out of the act of procuring alcohol beverages for or selling, dispensing or giving away
alcohol beverages to another person.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the person procuring, selling, dispensing or giving away alcohol beverages causes their consumption
by force or by representing that the beverages contain no alcohol.
(4) (a) In this subsection, provider means a person, including a licensee or permittee, who procures alcohol beverages for or sells,
dispenses or gives away alcohol beverages to an underage person in violation of s. 125.07 (1) (a).
(b) Subsection (2) does not apply if the provider knew or should have known that the underage person was under the legal drinking
age and if the alcohol beverages provided to the underage person were a substantial factor in causing injury to a 3rd party. In
determining whether a provider knew or should have known that the underage person was under the legal drinking age, all
relevant circumstances surrounding the procuring, selling, dispensing or giving away of the alcohol beverages may be
considered, including any circumstance under subds. 1. to 4. In addition, sub.(2) does apply if all of the following occur:
1. The underage person falsely represents that he or she has attained the legal drinking age.
2. The underage person supports the representation with documentation that he or she has attained the legal drinking age.
3. The alcohol beverages are provided in good faith reliance on the underage persons representation that he or she has
attained the legal drinking age.
4. The appearance of the underage person is such that an ordinary and prudent person would believe that he or she had
attained the legal drinking age.
(5) Subsection (2) does not apply to civil forfeiture actions for violation of any provision of this chapter or any local ordinance in conformity
with any provision of this chapter.
