From 1 November, no alcohol can be bought from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in shops and gas stations in Warsaw’s Śródmieście and Praga‑Północ districts, while bars and restaurants remain exempt.
Scope and Timing of the Ban
Effective 1 November 2025, the city council of Warsaw enacted a restriction on the sale of alcoholic beverages from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in retail outlets—including shops, petrol stations and kiosks—in the Śródmieście and Praga‑Północ districts. The measure excludes bar, pub and restaurant premises, which may continue to sell alcohol for on‑site consumption during their usual hours.
Exclusions: Bars, Pubs and Restaurants
Bars, pubs and restaurants are not subject to the prohibition and can continue to offer alcoholic drinks for consumption on site within their normal operating hours. The ban only covers the sale of alcohol that is not immediately consumed at the point of sale.
Enforcement and Penalties
The Warsaw Police and City Guard will conduct inspections to ensure compliance. Operators who breach the prohibition risk having their alcohol‑sales licence revoked. In other cities, electronic barriers on cash registers prevent sales during prohibited hours; Warsaw intends to respond decisively to any attempts to circumvent the rule.
Future Expansion to the Entire City
The ban is an initial step. A draft extending the restriction to all Warsaw districts is slated for presentation to the city council in spring. If approved, the prohibition would apply citywide no later than 1 June 2026.
Legal Basis and City Initiative
The regulation is grounded in Article 12(4) of the Act on Alcohol Education and Alcoholism Prevention, which limits the sale of alcohol outside eating venues. Warsaw’s “Responsible Seller” programme trains vendors on refusing sales to minors or intoxicated customers and on handling aggressive patrons. The city also launches the “Safe Night Warsaw” programme, increasing police and guard patrols, identifying trouble spots, enforcing licence revocation, and continuing training and educational outreach.
