When Do Baseball Stadiums Stop Serving Alcohol?

It’s a common question asked by fans: when do baseball stadiums stop serving alcohol? Here’s a look at the policies for each team.

Introduction

Although most baseball stadiums allow fans to purchase alcohol during games, there are a few that do not sell alcohol at all. In addition, some stadiums only sell alcohol during certain innings or stop selling alcoholic beverages altogether after a certain time. Here is a list of when some major league baseball stadiums stop serving alcohol.

A Brief History of Alcohol in Baseball

Alcohol has been a part of baseball since the sport’s early days. Players would often drink alcohol to relieve the boredom of long road trips, and fans would enjoy beers and other drinks while watching games. However, alcohol began to cause problems in baseball in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Players would sometimes drink before games, leading to poor performance on the field. Fans would also get rowdy after consuming alcohol, leading to fights and other disruptive behavior.

In an effort to improve the image of the sport, Major League Baseball banned the sale of alcohol at its stadiums in 1911. This ban lasted for nearly two decades, until team owners realized that they were losing out on a significant revenue stream. In 1932, the Chicago Cubs became the first team to allow alcohol sales at their stadium, and other teams soon followed suit.

Today, all Major League Baseball stadiums allow alcohol sales, though there are limits on when sales can stop. In most stadiums, alcohol sales end after the seventh inning or when the home team is ahead by five or more runs (known as the “mercy rule”). Some stadiums have earlier cutoff times, while others allow alcohol to be sold throughout the entire game.

Current MLB Alcohol Policies

As of 2019, all 30 Major League Baseball teams allow fans to buy beer and wine inside their stadiums. But that doesn’t mean fans can drink alcohol throughout the entire game. MLB has a policy in place that requires teams to stop serving alcohol at the end of the 8th inning.

The reason for this policy is to prevent rowdy behavior among fans during the 9th inning and beyond. In the past, there have been incidents offights and other disorderly conduct at MLB stadiums after alcohol sales have ended for the night.

MLB’s decision to stop selling alcohol at the end of the 8th inning is also in line with many other professional sports leagues in the United States. The National Football League, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League all have similar policies in place.

So if you’re planning on drinking at an MLB game, make sure you do it before the end of the 8th inning!

Why Do Some Stadiums Stop Serving Alcohol Earlier Than Others?

There are a few reasons why some baseball stadiums stop serving alcohol earlier than others. Some stadiums are located in cities with stricter alcohol laws, while others choose to end alcohol service in an effort to speed up game conclusions.

Stricter alcohol laws are often the reason why stadiums in Boston and San Francisco have earlier last call times. In Boston, for example, beer sales must end at the end of the seventh inning, while in San Francisco they must end at the end of the eighth inning.

Other stadium operators say they have chosen to end alcohol service earlier in order to help speed up game conclusion times. Studies have shown that late-night games can lead to a significant decrease in attendance, so some operators believe that ending alcohol service earlier will encourage fans to leave the stadium and head home at a reasonable hour.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to be aware of your local stadium’s alcohol policy before heading to a game. Make sure you enjoy your favorite beverage early enough so that you won’t be left high and dry during the later innings!

How do Fans React to Earlier Cut-Off Times?

Some baseball fans are unhappy with the earlier cut-off times for alcohol sales at stadiums. They argue that it limits their enjoyment of the game and prevents them from socializing with other fans. Others argue that it’s a good thing, as it prevents drunk and disorderly conduct.

Conclusion

It is important to note that stock availability and closing times may vary from stadium to stadium. For example, some stadiums may stop serving alcohol in the middle of the eighth inning while others may continue serving until the end of the game. It is always best to check with the stadium beforehand to find out their specific policy.