Is it true you can buy liquor at Costco without a membership??

Question

my co-worker just told me that i can go in to costco and buy liquor without a membership, but nothing else. is this true? he said once he forgot his membership and they would only let him get the beer but not the food...

Answer 1

It varies by store.  Some have a seperated liquor section.  These are the stores that do not require a membership.  Some stores have the liquor thrown in the mix of the store and you do need a membership.  If your co-worker said that they do that in your area, just call ahead and double check before you head over.

Answer 2

Yes you can.  The liquor store part is attached to, but right outside Costco and yes you may walk in and buy whatever your little heart desires! :-)  Cheers.

Answer 3

This is not true.  You need a Costco membership card just to get inside.  When you go to checkout, you'll also need a membership card to show them.

Answer 4

I don't know about Costco but I do know at sam's you can do that and since they are competitors I'm assuming your friend is telling you the truth.  You could go try what is the worst that could happen they have to put it back.  Or just call the store!

Answer 5

Thanks to some little-known state laws, nonmembers can purchase alcohol without paying a membership fee. These laws date back to the 1930s, when Prohibition was repealed. Massachusetts’ law, for example, provides that applicants for a license to sell alcohol must “serve the public need and protect the common good.” In simpler terms, alcohol sold must be available for purchase by the greater public — no membership restrictions.

Answer 6

I'm quite sure that the variation here isn't the store, but the state. State liquor laws are all over the place so what applies in New Mexico isn't going to apply in New York.

I have heard you can do this at Costco in California. I have yet to check it out, but in an article I read, apparently some of the managers were not aware of this law.

Answer 7

yes you can! I dont have a costco membership and i purchase liquor from costco all the time. The liquor is a lot cheaper there than at a regular liquor store.

Answer 8

I DO ALL OF MY SHOPPING THERE AND MY AUNT TRIED THAT BEFORE AND THEY SAID NO...THEY SAID YOU NEED A MEMBERSHIP ARD TO DO ANY PURCHASES...SO UR S****y OUT OF LUCK..