Night alcohol restrictions — rules, exceptions, and consequences

What can a municipality enact?

A municipal council may restrict alcohol sold for consumption away from the point of sale during a window between 22:00 and 06:00. A resolution may cover the whole municipality or named districts.

A municipality may choose a shorter period. Kraków uses 00:00–05:30, Sopot 02:00–06:00, while many cities use the full 22:00–06:00 window.

What the restriction does not mean

A night sales restriction does not automatically close bars or ban all drinking. Licensed hospitality venues selling alcohol for consumption on site are usually outside its scope.

Separate national rules still prohibit sales or service to minors and restrict drinking in public places.

Consequences for sellers

Selling alcohol in breach of a local resolution may lead to statutory penalties and loss of the seller's alcohol licence. The retailer and its staff are responsible for compliance.

How to verify the current position

Resolutions can be expanded, repealed, or amended. Check the city website, public information bulletin, or regional official journal. An article's update date does not replace an official notice.