What To Know About Costco's Liquor Policies Amid Membership Crackdown
Costco is like an amusement park for adults. You may not be able to ride a literal rollercoaster, but you can pick up a year’s worth of laundry detergent and paper towels.
Buying in bulk usually means you can take advantage of serious savings. And one of the departments where these deals are most apparent is the liquor section. Whether you’re hosting a party or stocking your home bar, Costco is the best place to buy booze. They have luxury name brands and a robust lineup of high-quality Kirkland products. Costco’s vodka is often compared to Grey Goose for a reason—it’s just that good.
But before you hop in your car to make a Costco liquor run, you need to check if your local warehouse even sells booze. Depending on where you live, your Costco store will have a different selection of alcohol. Don’t blame the big box store, though. They’re just following state law. But on the plus side, Costcos in some states sell discounted alcohol to everybody, no membership required.
We’re breaking down all of the individual alcohol policies of Costcos across the country. So next time you’re planning to stock up on household essentials, you can have a better idea of what to expect.
Alabama
Members rejoice! Alabama Costcos sell beer, wine, and liquor. However, hard alcohol is sold in a separate wing of the warehouse that has different operating hours.
Arizona
Arizona law says that business with public liquor licenses must sell alcohol to the public without requiring memberships. So all Arizonans can enjoy Costco’s affordable beer, wine, and liquor.
Arkansas
Costcos in Arkansas sell beer and wine in the main warehouse, accessible only to members. However, you can grab liquor without a membership.
California
California Costcos sell alcohol to nonmembers! Just tell the attendant at the door that you’re there to buy booze and they’ll let you right in—make sure to snack on some samples while you’re at it.
Colorado
Some Costcos in Colorado sell beer, wine, and liquor—but not all of them. So make sure to call your local warehouse to confirm what they have in stock.
Connecticut
Connecticut Costcos typically have an onsite liquor store that operates separately from the main warehouse. These stores sell beer, wine, and liquor at Costco prices without requiring a membership.
D.C.
The only Costco in Washington D.C. sells beer, wine, and liquor to members.
Delaware
Delaware Costcos sell beer, wine, and liquor to the public through a separate entrance. And bonus: it’s all tax free!
Florida
Members can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Costcos in Florida.
Georgia
Georgia law only allows a business to have two liquor licenses maximum. All locations in the state sell beer and wine, but only the Perimeter and Alpharetta warehouses sell hard liquor.
Idaho
You can only buy beer and wine at Idaho Costcos.
Iowa
Time to celebrate: Costcos in Iowa sell beer, wine, and liquor to members!
Illinois
Members can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Costcos all over Illinois.
Indiana
Indiana Costcos offer beer, wine, and liquor for the general public, regardless of membership status.
Kansas
Kansas Costco locations can only sell beverage with an alcohol level below 3.2%.
Kentucky
Costcos in Kentucky sell beer, wine, and liquor to both members and nonmembers.
Louisiana
Costco members can buy beer, wine, and liquor in Louisiana.
Maine
There are sadly no Costcos in Maine.
Maryland
You won't find any alcohol at the Maryland warehouses.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Costcos sell beer, wine, and liquor to both members and nonmembers.
Michigan
You can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Costco whether you have a membership or not.
Minnesota
All Minnesotans can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Costcos across the state.
Missouri
Members can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Costcos in Missouri.
Nebraska
Nebraska Costcos offer beer, wine, and liquor to all members.
Nevada
Yep, you can get beer, wine, and liquor at Nevada locations—but you need to be a member.
New Hampshire
You can count on beer and wine at New Hampshire Costcos—but you’ll have to buy hard alcohol at a state liquor outlet.
New Jersey
Some Costcos in New Jersey sell beer, wine, and liquor in the main warehouse. Some sell their booze at a separate onsite store. Some don’t sell any at all. Make sure you call your local warehouse to double check before shopping.
New Mexico
New Mexico warehouses sell beer, wine, and liquor to members.
New York
New York Costcos sell beer to members in the main warehouse while anybody can buy wine and liquor.
North Carolina
You won't find any liquor, but Costcos in North Carolina sell beer and wine to members.
Ohio
All locations sell beer and wine, and you don’t need to be a member to purchase.
Oklahoma
Members can only stock up on beer and wine at Oklahoma warehouses.
Oregon
No liquor, but members can purchase beer and wine.
Pennsylvania
There is no alcohol to be found at Pennsylvania Costcos. Instead, you need to go to one of the Fine Wine and Good Spirits locations scattered all over the state.
Rhode Island
There are no Costco locations in Rhode Island.
South Carolina
Costco members can buy beer, wine, and liquor at South Carolina warehouses.
Tennessee
Members can buy beer and wine at Tennessee Costcos.
Texas
Beer and wine is available to both members and nonmembers at Costcos in Texas.
Utah
Costco locations in Utah only sell beer that’s under 5% alcohol by volume. And it’s only available to members.
Vermont
You can purchase beer and wine at Vermont Costcos—no membership required.
Virginia
Members can buy beer and wine at Costco locations in Virginia.
Washington
Members can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Washington Costco warehouses.
Wisconsin
Whether you're looking for beer, wine, or liquor, members can get all the booze they need at Wisconsin Costcos.
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