Alcohol laws of Wisconsin

The Wisconsin legislature passed a law in 1849 that made liquor sellers liable for the costs incurred by local governments in supporting alcoholics.

This legislation prohibited drunkenness and the sale of alcohol to minors, and required all liquor sellers to post a $2,000 bond (more than $30,000 in 2007 U.S.

[3] Wisconsin Senator John J. Blaine sponsored the Act that later became the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution, ending Prohibition.

[5] A 2023 bill in the state is set to allow minors, over 14 years old, the ability to work in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol despite being underage.

[12][13] In the April 1, 2014, Wisconsin spring election, voters in Sparta narrowly passed a referendum to allow the sale of beer and wine in groceries and convenience stores.

[14] In the April 5, 2016, voters in Ephraim passed a referendum to allow the sale of beer and wine in restaurants and businesses.

[15] State law requires that bars be closed between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

[18] Wisconsin has no minimum required jail sentence for an individual's first or second offense of driving under the influence.