Social customs and laws concerning drinking alcohol in public vary significantly around the world. "Public" in this context refers to outdoor spaces such as roads, walkways, parks, or in a moving vehicle. Drinking in bars, restaurants, stadiums, and other such establishments, for example, is not generally considered to be "in public" even though those establishments are open to the general public.
In some countries, such as Norway, Poland, India and Sri Lanka, some states in the United States, as well as Muslim-majority countries where alcohol is legal, public drinking is almost universally condemned or outlawed, while in other countries, such as Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan, Finland, and China, public drinking is socially acceptable.
Controversy Opponents of drinking in public (such as religious organizations or governmental agencies) argue that it encourages overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinking, rowdiness, and violence, and propose that people should instead drink at private businesses such as public houses, bars, or clubs, where a bartender may prevent overconsumption and where rowdiness can be better controlled by the fact that one is sitting down and security or bouncers may be present. Alternatively, adults may drink at home. Opponents of normalizing the public consumption of alcohol are also concerned about the risks associated with public inebriation such as broken bottles on the street and aggressive behavior while intoxicated.
Proponents of the right to drink in public argue that it is a victimless crime that does not itself cause problems and rather that it is social problems that cause over-consumption and violence, pointing to countries that allow drinking in public but have low levels of associated overconsumption and violence. Proponents further argue that drinking in public helps normalize attitudes towards drinking and builds a healthier drinking culture.
Environment
Alcoholic beverage containers, particularly broken glass bottles, are a common source of litter that is difficult to clean up, which may puncture bicycle tires, hurt wildlife animals, etc. Alcoholic bottles are often discarded improperly, not recycled, or left in public spaces, which have negative impacts on the environment. Alcohol may negatively impact decision-making in taking environmental responsibility.
By country Australia
Although details and penalties vary from state to state, drinking in public places directly outside licensed premises (and also in council-designated no-alcohol zones) is illegal. Generally, possession of an open container of alcohol is sufficient proof of public drinking.
In New South Wales, drinking in public is legal unless an area is declared to be an alcohol-free zone. Council rangers and authorized staff are allowed to use their discretion to confiscate and tip out open containers in public streets in officially designated alcohol-free zones within their council boundaries; but not arrest nor issue fines/infringements for this purpose, leading many to turn a "blind eye" to these infractions to avoid conflict and fights. Specific management approaches acknowledge the need for a differentiated approach toward "refractory" street drinkers.
Austria In Austria, the possession and consumption of open containers of alcohol is legal throughout the country by people of the legal drinking age. The legal drinking age depends on the beverage in question: 16 for beer and wine and 18 for distilled spirits and mixed drinks. In Carinthia, teenagers between 16 and 18 are further restricted to a blood alcohol level below 0.05.
Some cities, like Vienna, Graz in Styria, or Klagenfurt in Carinthia, limit public consumption of alcohol in specific areas.
Brazil Having an open container is legal in Brazil. Drinking publicly is legal and socially accepted. However, DUI laws have been enforced since 2008 and offenders may be arrested and lose their license. At the time, this was already considered an infraction for many decades, but the law was permissive and unenforced. The introduction of the no tolerance policy was considered controversial and was often disputed in court for years until the culture fully adjusted. Being intoxicated in public is not an offense, and unless people are disturbed, the individual cannot be arrested. It is illegal to sell alcohol to minors (under 18).
Belgium In Belgium drinking in public is legal however some cities (like Antwerp and Brussels) have local ordinances making public alcohol consumption illegal (mostly in specified areas like major squares or streets near the city center). Although these laws are not always enforced, they can result in fines of up to €500.
Canada
In Canada, except Quebec, possession of open containers of alcohol in public is generally a violation of provincial acts and municipal bylaws. Open liquor is not permitted except in private residences or on licensed premises. Open liquor is also illegal in parts of national and provincial parks, though this prohibition may not apply to campsites, as it is a temporary residence. For instance, Ontario Provincial Parks allow alcoholOntario Parks alcohol policy on campsites only.
In British Columbia and Ontario, the penalty for possession of an open container or consumption of liquor in a public place is a fine (as per the Liquor Licence Act, sec 31(2)). Those caught by law enforcement officers are forced to pour out the alcoholic beverage, after which offenders are sometimes issued a verbal warning instead of a monetary penalty.
In Quebec, laws on the consumption of alcohol in public are more relaxed than in the rest of Canada. Most notably, in Montreal, alcohol may be consumed in public parks when accompanied by food which can include snacks. Generally, the police will not check for food accompanying alcoholic drinks in public parks. Mount Royal is generally the public park where drinking rules are very relaxed, with police never checking if food is present with alcoholic drinks. However, drinking while riding public transit is forbidden.
In Alberta, 2020 amendments to the Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act enabled municipalities to designate locations within public parks where individuals may consume alcohol without being accompanied by a meal.
Chile Chile has one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the Americas. Efforts to mitigate alcohol-related harm frequently encounter opposition from the alcohol industry, policymakers, and the public. While public drinking is generally prohibited in Chile, it is an exception during New Year's Eve. According to Article 25 of the Alcohol Law, consuming alcoholic beverages in streets, roads, squares, walkways, and other public areas is forbidden.
China The drinking culture in China has historically been strong and is actively growing. It is seen as a social and cultural staple, with alcohol consumption being broadly accepted in society and featuring heavily in both traditional Chinese folklore and modern-day media. As the Chinese economy developed and the average disposable income per citizen increased alcohol consumption increased with it, but drinking culture only really started to flourish after the de-regulation of China's previously monopolized alcohol market in the reform and opening up era of the 1970s and '80s. Since then China's alcohol market has become the single-largest in the world. Alcohol regulations and laws are described as "lax" and alcohol is sold anywhere from convenience stores to street stalls. Since 2017 there has not been any law specifically regulating the marketing of alcohol, leading to advertisements of alcoholic beverages being commonplace in public spaces and even commonplace in broadcasts from state-owned companies like CCTV. Drinking in public is widely accepted and there are no laws against publicly consuming alcohol. Alcohol taxes are low and tariffs on imported alcohol have been dramatically reduced since China joined the WTO in 2001, leading to low alcohol prices and increased overall consumption.
Colombia
Colombia's view on public consumption of alcohol is unusual—even regarding drug consumption. Historically and culturally, Colombia has never forbidden public consumption of alcohol and drugs—the latter to a certain extent. However, in 2018 as President Ivan Duque assumed office he established particular national ordinances that effectively banned public alcohol consumption as well as ruled out the "personal drug dosage" tolerance previously allowed. This resulted in higher police corruption and arrests, as well as general disgust from the younger population. In mid-2019, however, the Supreme Court ruled out these ordinances bringing back the people its freedom to publicly consume alcohol and personal drug dosage with the purpose of "developing the free healthy culture".
Cuba Public consumption of alcoholic beverages is accepted and legal.
Czech Republic In the Czech Republic, drinking in public is generally legal, but each community is entitled to restrict public drinking by ordinance. As a result of this, some towns and cities have forbidden drinking in public to prevent people from disorderly conduct and begging.
Denmark Generally, public consumption of alcohol in Denmark is legal, as long as it does not disturb public law and order. As a result, multiple cafes located in the same zones have outdoor serving. Some municipalities have enacted local ordinances forbidding public drinking in certain areas. As of 2015, 50 of the 98 municipalities had enacted alcohol prohibition zones.
Finland In Finland, drinking in public is prohibited in built areas (taajama), at border crossings, or in vehicles in use for public transport such as buses or trams. The law does not apply to restaurants, pubs, and other licensed premises, or to the interior of vehicles such as taxis or limousines that are in private use. Public parks or equivalent venues are also exempt, as long as the consumption of alcohol does not cause undue public disturbance.Public Order Act Retrieved 29 September 2023 While drinking on streets and public transport is technically illegal, in practice the authorities intervene only if a disturbance is being caused. Drinking in trains and buses is more strictly forbidden while drinking on streets is socially accepted.
The definition of a built area depends on the definition of a locality, or taajama in Finnish, which is a cluster of buildings with no less than 200 inhabitants, where the buildings are no more than 200 meters apart. This means that some areas within towns and cities may not fill the definition, making it legal to drink alcohol in public there, while some areas outside of towns and cities may have high enough population densities to be considered localities, therefore making public drinking illegal. Entering or leaving localities is marked by road signs along the major thoroughfares.
France Public drinking in France is legal. It is illegal to sell alcohol to minors (under 18). However local laws may ban public drinking or the purchase of alcohol in certain areas or at certain times.
Public intoxication is illegal in France and an intoxicated person may be detained by the police or gendarmes and placed in a secure room (possibly a holding cell) until sober. The maximum fine is €150.
Germany