You Can Buy Alcohol in Warehouse Clubs Without Membership
If you don’t have to buy groceries or essentials in bulk, you might assume that shopping at warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club just isn’t for you. If you’re shopping for a small family or have limited storage space, the cost of an annual membership may not pay off.
But there is one reason you might want to check out your local warehouse club, even without a membership: booze.
This is true. You can walk in, say, “I’m here for a drink,” choose your favorite libations, and pay without showing proof of membership.
This not-so-complicated loophole is due to the state’s liquor laws. Some states prohibit shops from requiring memberships to sell alcohol.
Sam’s Club is simple: you don’t need a membership to buy beer, wine or spirits anywhere.
BJ’s allows you to get a one-day shopping pass to shop without a membership. Passenger owners usually pay a 15% commission on the items they buy, but this does not apply to alcohol purchases.
The Costco website does not discuss alcohol procurement policies and the chain declined to provide further information when we asked. But rumor has it that you don’t need a membership to buy beer, wine, or spirits if you’re shopping in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas, or Vermont. …
You probably don’t want to go to a discount warehouse to pick up a six-pack. But if you’re planning a party or looking to stock up on the season, it might be well worth the trip. Planning a wedding? If your establishment allows you to make yourself a drink, plan a trip to the Savings City. Warehouse clubs sell big brands along with their own labels. Costco’s Kirkland booze has a sizable fan base and is priced competitively with the big brands you see on the same shelf. It is also a somewhat poorly kept secret that the major booze brands are making Kirkland’s finest products.
If you decide to stock up, grab a cart and tell your host that you don’t have a membership, but want to buy alcoholic beverages. They will give you specific instructions; you may also need to tell the cashier when you are ready to pay.
And if you live in one of those states that has complicated rules about what type of alcohol can be sold and where (Pennsylvania, I’m looking right at you), call your local store to find out the rules before you travel.