this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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32
Is it true that in America you can't drink alcohol in public and how strictly is this enforced? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hi, I'm from Germany and here people can drink unlimited amounts of beer and wine in public at 16 years old and at 18 you're allowed to also drink every other strong alcoholic beverage publicly such as Vodka.

I was reading online that in the US it's not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages in public even if you're over 21 and even if it's something mild like beer. If I understood it correctly you're not even allowed to be drunk in public? I was wondering if this is actually true and why that is the case.

And I wonder how strictly this is enforced. I assume it probably varies strongly between places so maybe you could give an example for where you are from or experiences from other places.

Like even if it's technically illegal do people still drink a nice cold beer in the summer without getting in trouble? Because it's hard for me to imagine that anyone would say something when someone simply enjoys a nice cold beer during the hot summer in a park or something.

And could you even be arrested when just enjoying the summer day by drinking beer? Cause that had to be the worst vibe killing situation that would make me paranoid of ever drinking in public.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Where I am there's no statewide public drinking ban outside of schools or government facilities - municipalities can restrict it somewhat, but if I were to stroll down the street drinking I wouldn't get stopped unless I was being a nuisance or clearly unable to function.

Can't take alcohol from the bar or a restaurant if it's open container, but if I buy a 6-pack at the store it's free game.

I can also go to the drive-thru and get booze from the beer barn down the block, and the passengers in my vehicle can drink all they want.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh, you must be from Mississippi. It's worth noting that this is an extreme minority in the US. Most states(39 specifically) have open container laws and will still operate under the impression that you are intoxicated if there's an open container in the vehicle, to the extent that you're supposed to transport an open bottle of liquor in the trunk.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Different state, but yes, no stipulations on where the liquour is in the car so long as the driver doesn't touch or drink it. Fond memories of my early 20s rolling down to the bar in the back of a truck with the pregame still going.