But Australia’s tight liquor trading laws heavily restrict what can and can’t be sold over the Easter long weekend.
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 wondering what your options are ahead of, or during Easter, here’s a state-by-guide to alcohol laws across the weekend.
It is prohibited to purchase alcohol takeaway on Good Friday in NSW, so most liquor retail outlets will be closed.
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.
The rules in Victoria are similar to those in NSW, with all bottle shops closed tomorrow.
On-premises purchases are allowed and will be offered at venues, restaurants and cafes.
Venues are generally allowed to start serving 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.
You can buy drinks at venues from 10am to midnight, but only with a sit-down meal.
But beware – this is only permitted for substantial meals, roast beef with vegetables, lasagna, a stir-fry or a curry with rice, as per the state government’s website.
You won’t be served alcohol if you only order light snacks like hot chips, an entree or a kid’s meal.
Furthermore, you’ll only be served alcohol one hour before and after your meal – so keep an eye on the time.
Regular trading hours resume Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
South Australia had all alcohol sale restrictions lifted after legal reforms several years ago.
That means there’s no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday, and for the rest of the weekend.
Venues can choose to be open over the weekend for purchases and takeaways.
Some liquor stores will be open all weekend, while others will close to observe the Easter publi holidays.
Liquor stores will be closed on Good Friday in Western Australia.
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.
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
The ACT doesn’t have any restrictions on alcohol sales or trading hours on Good Friday.
Despite this, many liquor retailers are still choosing to close, including Liquorland, BWS and Dan Murphy’s.
They’ll reopen for the rest of the long weekend across the territory.
Tasmania remains much the same with no restrictions on sales or trading hours over the long weekend.
But again, most retail stores will shut their doors on Good Friday, outside of select Liquorland stores.
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