Lublin city council is considering a 23:00‑06:00 ban on alcohol sales in retail shops, sparking debates across the municipality.
Council Proposal Details
Councilors introduced a draft resolution that would forbid the sale of alcohol in city stores between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., while restaurants, pubs, and bars would remain unaffected.
Deputy chairwoman Monika Kwiatkowska emphasized that the proposal is open to feedback from the 27 district councils and that the final text would be shaped through dialogue with residents, entrepreneurs and social organisations.
Mayor Calls for Broad Dialogue
Mayor Krzysztof Żuk stated that the council’s draft is a starting point for discussion and must involve all city districts, as the ban would cover the entire municipality.
He also noted that the resolution will be reviewed by commanding officers of the local military units, given the presence of armed forces in Lublin, and by the Municipal Public Benefit Council.
National Context of Night‑time Alcohol Restrictions
Over 170 Polish gminas currently enforce a nighttime alcohol ban in retail outlets, a measure that has decreased police and municipal guard interventions.
In Konin, for instance, 124 domestic interventions occurred between February and June this year versus 405 the same period last year, a roughly 70 % decline.
Impact of Existing Bans
Since July 2023, Krakow has prohibited alcohol sales from 24 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.; during the first year of the ban, police incidents linked to alcohol fell by 48.5 % compared to the prior year.
From November, Warsaw’s nighttime sales limits began in two districts and expanded citywide from June.
Future Implementation Across Lublin
The proposed ban would apply to all 27 districts, with district councils providing input before the final resolution is adopted.
