Liquor Shop Near Me in Ireland: Off Licence Guide & Rules

In Ireland, you won’t find “liquor stores” — the term is off licence, and the rules for buying alcohol are stricter than in many countries. The legal drinking age is 18, and this guide explains what off licences are, where to find them, the hours, delivery options, and the 20‑minute rule.

Legal drinking age in Ireland: 18 ·
Off-licence Sunday opening time: 12:30 PM ·
Off-licence Sunday closing time: 10:00 PM ·
Minimum unit alcohol pricing in Ireland: €1.00 per gram of alcohol ·
Number of off-licence outlets in Ireland (approx.): 2,000+

Six key facts summarise Ireland’s alcohol‑retail landscape — note how the 20‑minute rule and Sunday hours differ from most other countries.

Do they have liquor stores in Ireland?

Yes — but they aren’t called “liquor stores.” The Irish term is off licence (or “off-licence”), meaning a shop licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. They are common in cities, towns, and even rural villages.

What is the local name for liquor stores in Ireland?

• Off licence is the standard term used by regulators and retailers. A search for “off licence near me” will return local results (24 Hour Alcohol (UK locator service)).
• Visitors sometimes search for “liquor store” on TripAdvisor, reflecting the common traveller confusion (Tripadvisor (travel forum)).

How are off licences different from US liquor stores?

• Off licences have stricter hours: no sales after 10 PM on any day or before 12:30 PM on Sunday (SpunOut (Irish youth health service)).
• Supermarkets can sell alcohol, but standalone off-licences often have a wider selection of wines and spirits.
• Under‑18s are not allowed in off-licences unless accompanied by a parent or guardian (SpunOut (Irish youth health service)).

What are liquor stores called in Ireland?

As above, the official retail term is off licence. This term appears on shop signs, on delivery websites, and in official licensing documents. Some large chains like Molloys and O’Briens use “Off Licence” in their branding (First & Last Off Licence (Jonesborough retailer)).

Can you buy alcohol in supermarkets in Ireland?

Yes — several major supermarket chains sell beer, wine, and spirits, but they must follow the same licensing hours as off licences.

Which supermarkets sell alcohol in Ireland?

• Tesco, Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, and Aldi all have off-licence permits at many locations.
• Some smaller supermarkets (e.g., local convenience stores) may not hold an off-licence permit, so check for a sign or ask.

Does Dunnes sell liquor?

Yes, Dunnes Stores sells wine, beer, and spirits in most of its branches, subject to the same hours — Monday–Saturday 10:30 AM–10:00 PM, Sunday 12:30 PM–10:00 PM (SpunOut (Irish youth health service)).

Can I buy beer and wine in Tesco or Dunnes?

Absolutely. Both Tesco and Dunnes have dedicated alcohol aisles. The 20‑minute rule applies to takeaway orders from these supermarkets too, but if you’re buying from the shelf and paying at the till, you can walk out immediately — the 20‑minute wait is for delivered or pre‑ordered collections (SpunOut (Irish youth health service)).

What time can I buy alcohol today in Ireland?

Hours are set by law and differ between weekdays and Sundays. Public‑holiday hours usually follow the Sunday pattern, though some exceptions exist (e.g., Christmas Day has a full ban in Northern Ireland; see below).

Alcohol sales hours for off licences vs supermarkets

• Monday–Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM for both off licences and supermarkets with permits.
• Sunday: 12:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
• Northern Ireland: Off licences cannot open at all on Christmas Day (NIBusinessInfo (NI government advisory)).

Sunday and public holiday restrictions

• No alcohol sales before 12:30 PM on Sunday anywhere in Ireland (Republic).
• Easter Sunday follows the same hours as other Sundays (NIBusinessInfo (NI government advisory)).
• The 24‑hour locator for England and Wales (24 Hour Alcohol (UK locator service)) confirms there are no 24‑hour off licences in Scotland or Northern Ireland, and the same applies in the Republic.

What is the 20 minute rule for alcohol?

Introduced in 2022, the 20‑minute rule requires a 20‑minute wait between ordering and collection of alcohol for takeaway from any licensed premises (SpunOut (Irish youth health service)). This is designed to reduce impulse drinking.

Does the 20 minute rule apply to off licences?

Yes. If you order a bottle of wine or a case of beer for takeaway from an off licence, you must wait 20 minutes before you can collect it. The rule applies to off licences, supermarkets, and any other retailer selling alcohol for off‑premise consumption.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for alcohol?

The “2 2 2 rule” is not an official Irish regulation. It’s a public‑health guideline suggesting no more than two standard drinks in two hours, and no more than two days of drinking per week. It has no legal force and is not enforced by Gardaí or licensing authorities.

Which off licences offer delivery in Ireland?

Many off licences now deliver nationwide, often through their own websites or via third‑party apps. Delivery hours may differ from in‑store hours, and minimum order amounts typically apply.

Off licence delivery near me

• Molloys — established in 1960, offers nationwide delivery with a minimum order of €50 in some areas.
• O’Briens — a Dublin‑based chain dating from the 1820s, delivers wine and spirits across Ireland.
• Carry Out — a franchise network with local branches, many offering delivery.
• McHugh’s — a well‑known Dublin off licence with an online shop and delivery.

Delivery hours typically align with licensing hours, but some retailers accept orders after 10 PM for next‑day delivery. Always check the retailer’s terms (NIBusinessInfo (NI government advisory)).

“It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in an off licence, and it is illegal for an off licence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. Under‑18s are not allowed in an off licence unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.”

SpunOut (Irish youth health service)

“In Northern Ireland, off licences are not permitted to open at all on Christmas Day. Easter licensing hours are the same as the rest of the year.”

NIBusinessInfo (NI government advisory)

For anyone searching “liquor shop near me” in Ireland, the choice is clear: use “off licence near me” instead. Understand the hours (no sales after 10 PM, Sunday start at 12:30 PM), respect the 20‑minute rule, and remember that supermarkets are a viable option. Delivery is expanding — but never after hours. The trade‑off for convenience versus regulation is part of Ireland’s unique alcohol‑retail culture.

For a detailed breakdown of Irelands off-licence hours and rules, check out this comprehensive guide.

Frequently asked questions