Minnesota’s alcohol laws remain among the nation’s strictest in 2026, blending pandemic-era delivery allowances with longstanding prohibitions on grocery store sales and direct shipping.
Delivery Rules
Licensed off-sale retailers can deliver beer, wine, spirits, or light spirits within a 30-mile radius, but only from their premises with age verification—no third-party apps unless authorized. Restaurants sell beer, cider, or wine (up to 72 oz beer/750 ml wine) to-go with food in sealed packaging; cocktails/mixed drinks are banned for off-premises.
Happy Hour Limits
“Happy Hour” is illegal statewide (Minn. Stat. § 340A.507); no time-limited discounts on drinks, free alcohol with meals, or two-for-one specials to curb overconsumption. Bars can offer daily specials but not time-bound “happy hours.”​
Key Restrictions
Grocery stores/clubs ban wine and full-strength beer sales (3.2% only allowed)—a holdover from 1934 post-Prohibition. Direct-to-consumer shipping permits wine (up to two 9L cases/year) from wineries with labeling/tax rules; beer/spirits prohibited. Municipalities control off-sale hours (often until 10 PM weekdays, 2 AM weekends).
