Updated October 2026
Some Walgreens stores sell liquor, but many do not. Walgreens sells beer and wine in many locations and carries distilled spirits only where state and local law allow a drugstore to sell them and that specific store holds the license. Walgreens.com has a spirits category, but items are marked by store, and some show “Not sold at your store.” The fastest way to know is to check your store on the Walgreens website or app, or call ahead. You must be 21 or older with valid ID.
Below is how Walgreens alcohol sales work, why availability changes from state to state, and what to do if you need a bottle for a holiday gathering.
What alcohol Walgreens sells
Walgreens’ online spirits category lists hundreds of items, including beer, wine and hard seltzers alongside liquor. The site notes that price and inventory may vary between online and in store, and individual products show whether your selected store carries them. Many listed items offer in store pickup or same day delivery, but shipping is not available for alcohol. A banner on the category reminds shoppers that the products are for ages 21 and up.
In practice, you will usually find one of three situations:
- No alcohol at all. Some stores are not licensed for alcohol, or local rules keep them out of the category.
- Beer and wine only. This is common, especially in states that limit spirits to dedicated liquor stores.
- Beer, wine and spirits. Where state law allows drugstores to sell liquor and the store holds that license.
A short history of alcohol at Walgreens
Alcohol at Walgreens has come and gone. According to a 2010 Dow Jones report carried by Fox News, most Walgreens stores had full liquor sections until the mid 1990s, when the chain dropped them because they were hard to staff and maintain. In 2010, Walgreens began returning beer and wine to its shelves, with limited selections in about 3,100 of its roughly 7,500 stores at the time and plans to expand to about 5,000 by the end of that year. Today, spirits appear only at stores where state law and the store’s license allow them.
Why it depends on your state
Alcohol retail is regulated by the states, so the same chain can sell vodka in one city and nothing stronger than beer across the state line. A few patterns explain most of the differences:
- Drugstore license limits. In New York, for example, a drug store licensed by the State Liquor Authority may sell beer, cider and, with the right license, wine products, but not wine or liquor, which are sold in package stores.
- Control states. In states where the government runs or tightly controls spirits retail, drugstores generally do not sell liquor.
- Local options. Counties and cities can restrict sales further, including dry areas and limited hours.
Big box stores face the same patchwork. Compare what states Walmart sells liquor in and which Sam’s Club locations sell liquor.
What hours can Walgreens sell alcohol?
There is no single company wide alcohol clock. Sale hours come from state and local law, and the store’s own hours set the outer limit. A 24 hour Walgreens still cannot sell beer during hours your state prohibits. For examples of how state rules work at other retailers, see Walmart hours, gas station hours, Circle K, 7-Eleven in California and Florida beer hours.
Age and ID rules
Every state sets its minimum purchase age at 21, a standard tied to federal highway funding under 23 U.S.C. § 158, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. Expect to show a valid government issued photo ID at the register, and bring it for pickup or delivery orders too.
Holiday shopping tips
- Check your store online first. Select your store on Walgreens.com or in the app and look for the alcohol category.
- Call ahead if you need a specific bottle. Spirits selections at drugstores are usually small.
- Watch holiday hours. Some states restrict alcohol sales on certain holidays even when the store is open.
- Have a backup. Grocery stores, liquor stores and some convenience stores may carry what you need; see our guide to gas station alcohol.
For more practical buying guides, browse our Bar Basics hub.
FAQ
Does Walgreens sell vodka or whiskey?
Only at stores licensed to sell spirits in states that allow it. Check your store’s listings on Walgreens.com.
Does Walgreens sell beer and wine?
Many stores do, but not all. Availability depends on state law and each store’s license.
Can Walgreens deliver alcohol?
Where available, alcohol may be offered for pickup or same day delivery from a licensed store; bring valid ID. Walgreens.com shows alcohol as not available for shipping.
Does Walgreens sell alcohol on Sunday?
That depends on your state and county. Sunday rules are set locally, not by Walgreens.
Do I need ID to buy alcohol at Walgreens?
Yes. You must be 21 or older and show valid photo ID.
Sources
- Walgreens.com, Spirits category (store availability, pickup and delivery options, 21+ notice).
- Fox News / Dow Jones Newswires, “Walgreens Adds Beer, Wine to Shelves for First Time in 15 Years” (June 3, 2010).
- New York State Liquor Authority, Grocery Store/Drug Store License Quick Reference.
- 23 U.S.C. § 158, National minimum drinking age.