The drinking age, along with the other 49 states, is 21 years of age.
Beer and other beverages with a low alcohol content can be found in supermarkets, while hard liquor and wine can be found in liquor stores. Liquor stores, by law, are not allowed to sell beer and champagne.
State law stipulates that bars must close at 4am, although individual counties and municipalities may set an earlier closing time; outside of New York City, Albany and Buffalo, bars tend to close much earlier. Alcohol cannot be sold before noon on Sundays in most counties.
Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense in New York state. The blood-acohol limit is 0.08, although you can be cited for DWI at as low as 0.05 if you are blatantly impaired. Minors under 21 have a BAC limit of 0.02.
