licensing laws
noun /ˈlaɪsnsɪŋ lɔːz/
/ˈlaɪsnsɪŋ lɔːz/
[plural]- British laws that state where and when alcoholic drinks can be sold
（英国的）售酒法 Culture licensing lawslicensing lawsThe sale of alcohol in Britain is controlled by licensing laws. These limit where, when and by whom alcohol may be sold. In order to open a pub or bar the owner must obtain the approval of the local authority, which must be satisfied that he or she is a suitable person to sell alcohol. If the application is approved, the owner obtains a licence to sell alcohol and becomes the licensee. The name of the licensee is displayed above the front door.Many pubs are licensed to sell alcohol for drinking on or off the premises (= in the pub or somewhere else). However, most people buy alcohol for drinking at home in a supermarket or an off-licence (= a shop that sells mainly alcohol). Shops and supermarkets have to obtain a licence, before they can sell alcohol. Nobody under 18 is allowed to buy alcohol, either in a pub or in a shop.The 2003 Licensing Act removed many of the previous limits on opening hours. Pubs can stay open as long as they like on any day, if they have the appropriate licence, but they are only allowed to sell alcohol during official opening hours. Most pubs open for a shorter time on Sundays.In the US there are local laws about when and where alcohol can be sold. Some towns are dry (= no alcohol can be sold there at all). In general, restaurants and bars need a licence to sell beer and wine. In some states alcohol for drinking at home is sold only in special liquor stores; in other places it is sold in any food shop. In some places alcohol may not be sold on certain days, for example Sundays, or Christmas Day.The US has strict laws to try to keep young people from coming into contact with alcohol. The drinking age (= the age at which a person can buy alcohol) is 21, and bars and liquor stores often ask customers for proof of age. In some places, people below 21 cannot work in, or even enter, bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. College students, especially, try to drink in bars by pretending to be older than they are. Young people who work in food shops may have to ask an older employee to serve a customer who wants to buy a bottle of wine. This is also the case in Britain.