Good Friday and the Easter weekend are some of the only days of the year that have specific restrictions on alcohol sales.
If you’re in the mood for a tipple, here are the best options and what you need to know.
Thursday is open for trading as normal for liquor retailers across the state.
On Good Friday there is a blanket ban on all takeaway sales, whether you want a bottle from a shop, pub or restaurant – which means most liquor retail outlets will be closed in New South Wales.
Most licensed premises will offer drinks in-house on Good Friday, though for some you may need to sit down with a meal.
Saturday will see regular trading hours for licensed premises and retail outlets.
On Easter Sunday normal trading hours resume for licensed premises but most retail outlets will be restricted again and closed.
Similar to New South Wales, Good Friday closes bottle shops unless specifically permitted otherwise.
On-premise purchases are allowed and will be offered at venues, restaurants and cafes.
Venues are generally allowed to top up your glass from noon, but if your local go-to is a brewery or a distiller, you can head over at 10am.
Similar to Victoria, Good Friday affects trading hours of licensed premises in Queensland.
Takeaway alcohol can’t be sold, so retail outlets will be closed.
They even go as far to specifically tell us what a meal is.
“A meal is food that can be eaten with cutlery while seated— for example, roast beef with vegetables”
“It is not light takeaway food like snacks, hot chips, an entrée or kid’s meal.”
Regular trading hours resume Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
After legal reforms several years ago, South Australia has had all alcohol sale restrictions lifted.
Currently, South Australia has no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday, and for the rest of the weekend.
This means venues can choose to be open over the weekend for purchases and takeaways.
In the west of the nation, liquor stores will be closed on Good Friday.
However, people will be allowed to have a Good Friday drink with a meal in most clubs, hotels, pubs, and restaurants.
Clubs will remain open until 3am.
Regular trading hours resume for the rest of the weekend.
Takeaway sales are restricted on Good Friday for those living here.
You can still buy drinks at venues like restaurants, bars and clubs between 11am to 9pm so long as you buy a full, sit-down meal as well.
No finger foods, sandwiches and pies for those bargaining for a drink too – the territory’s website says.
Australian Capital Territory
For the territory where you can find the federal government, you would expect there to be harsher restrictions over the quiet, long weekend.
But patrons can keep partying over the weekend as there are no restrictions on alcohol sales or trading hours on Good Friday.
The Apple Isle will see an equally, loosely restricted Easter weekend.
Tasmania remains much the same with no restrictions on sales or trading hours over the long weekend.