Drinking age in Maryland (2026)
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
In short: The minimum age to buy beer, wine and spirits is 21. Under-21s may not possess or drink alcohol, with an exception for alcohol given by an adult family member in a private home. Drinking on public property is banned, and licence holders may not sell to under-21s.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to buy beer and wineBuying and drinking alcohol | 21 years [1] |
| Minimum age to buy spiritsBuying and drinking alcohol | 21 years [1] |
| Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcohol | An individual under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol, but this does not apply if an adult who is a member of the same immediate family furnishes it or allows it and it is furnished and consumed in the adult's private residence or its curtilage, if the individual consumes it as a participant in a religious ceremony, or if the individual tastes it as a student in an enology, brewing or hospitality course at a higher-education institution. Licence holders may not allow on-premises consumption or possession by anyone under 21, whoever bought it. [2] |
| Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcohol | An individual may not consume alcohol on public property (including roads, parking areas and grounds owned or operated by the State, a county or a municipality), on the outside areas or adjacent parking of a shopping centre or other retail establishment, or in a parked vehicle in those places, unless authorised by the governmental entity or the property owner. Possessing an open container in the outside areas of a shopping centre or retail establishment is also prohibited. A violation is a civil offence with a fine of up to $100. [1] |
| Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcohol | Licence holders and their employees may not sell or provide alcohol to anyone under 21 or to anyone visibly under the influence. These are Division I rules that apply statewide subject to Division II, which sets additional rules for particular counties and Baltimore City and prevails over Division I where they conflict. [1] |
Notes
- Division II of the article contains rules for particular counties and Baltimore City that prevail over the statewide Division I rules where they conflict (art. 1-202). Only the statewide rules were read; local rules, hours and days of sale were not checked.
Sources
- Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services: Maryland Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article (2026 Regular Session statute text) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
- Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services: Maryland Code, Criminal Law Article (2026 Regular Session statute text) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Where and when alcohol is sold | Federal law does not itself ban the sale of alcohol to people under 21. Under 23 U.S.C. 158, a State loses 8 percent of certain federal highway funds if buying or publicly possessing alcohol is lawful there for a person under 21. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (U.S. Code)) |
|---|
Maryland and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age to buy beer and wine | Minimum age to buy spirits | Drinking by younger people with an adult | Drinking in public places | Where and when alcohol is sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 21 | 21 | Family in private home; religious; study | No on public property; $100 fine | None to under 21 or drunk; county rules vary |
| District of Columbia | 21 | 21 | No parental exception; work duties only | No drinking or open containers in public | Off-sale 6am-1am; bars not 2/3-6am |
| Delaware | 21 | 21 | Religious services; family in private home | ⚠ Not yet verified | Off-premises: Sun 10-8, Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-1 a.m. |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 21 | Religious wine only | ⚠ Not yet verified | No sales/supply under 21; min. fine $1,000 |
| Virginia | 21 | 21 | In a residence with parent, guardian or spouse 21+ | Banned in public places (Class 4 misdemeanour) | ID required; sales under 21 an offence |
| West Virginia | 21+ (purchase, consume, possess) | 21+ (purchase, consume, possess) | Under 21 banned; supply offence excludes relatives | No drinking in public places | No liquor sales 12-6am, Easter or Christmas |
More rules in Maryland
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 2 plants per household
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (35 divided residential) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 yrs 6 mths (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 yrs 9 mths (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (permit only; sparklers excepted)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Penknife without switchblade is not a "weapon" · Locking or one-handed knives: Listed weapon; sale or display is banned
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (no hand use) · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, driver and front passengers · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes; police enforce only as secondary action (16+)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any alcohol (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.