Short answer: The legal age to buy alcohol in Russia is 18. Shops and supermarkets can sell alcohol from 8:00 to 23:00 (11 p.m.); selling it at any other hour is illegal nationwide. Restaurants and bars are not bound by that retail window and can serve you a drink with dinner well past midnight. Drinking in the street, in parks, or on public transport is against the law, so save it for a café terrace or your hotel room.
Legal drinking age in Russia (2026)
As of 2026, the minimum age to buy, possess, or drink alcohol in Russia is 18, the same as it has been for years. You may see foreign travel blogs claiming the age was just raised to 21 — that is not accurate. A bill proposing a phased increase (19 by 2027, 20 by 2028, 21 by 2029) was introduced in the State Duma in mid-2025, but as of this writing it remains a proposal, not law. Cashiers can still ask to see a passport if you look under 25, so keep it handy when you shop.
When can you buy alcohol? (retail hours)
Federal law sets a nationwide floor: retail sale of alcohol — beer, wine, and spirits alike — is banned between 23:00 and 8:00. In Moscow, shops and supermarkets follow exactly this window, so you can buy alcohol any time from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Outside Moscow, hours can be much tighter
This is the part most travel guides miss: regions are free to impose stricter limits than the federal window, and in 2026 many have. So while Moscow keeps the standard 8:00-23:00, a shop in another region may sell for only a few hours a day. A few real examples of how far this goes:
- Vologda Region: retail alcohol sales are limited to just 12:00-14:00 on weekdays — a two-hour window.
- Altai Republic: weekdays roughly 11:00-19:00, with sales heavily restricted or banned on weekends.
- Krasnoyarsk: shops inside residential buildings sell only 10:00-21:00 (standalone stores keep the usual 8:00-23:00).
- Moscow Region (Podmoskovye): bars and cafés on the ground floors of residential buildings can be limited to a 13:00-15:00 serving window.
The takeaway: in Moscow the 8:00-23:00 rule is reliable, but if you are heading to other cities, check the sign at the shop entrance or ask your hotel staff — the local cut-off can be dramatically earlier.
Where you can — and can't — buy alcohol
- Supermarkets and licensed liquor stores: the normal, reliable option — chains like Perekrestok, Azbuka Vkusa, and dedicated wine shops all sell within the legal hours.
- Kiosks and street stalls: not allowed. Alcohol sales from unlicensed street vendors and temporary stalls are banned outright, regardless of the time of day.
- Near schools, hospitals, and transport hubs: retailers within a set distance of these locations are restricted or barred from selling alcohol at all.
- Online delivery: you cannot legally order alcohol for home delivery in Russia — apps that appear to offer it are usually just showing you products from a nearby licensed store for pickup, not doorstep delivery of alcohol itself.
Bars, restaurants, and hotels play by different rules
The retail cut-off does not apply to alcohol served for on-site consumption. A restaurant, bar, or hotel with the right license can pour you a glass of wine at 1 a.m. if it is still open. This is the easiest way to have a late drink once the shops are closed for the night.
Drinking in public places
Consuming alcohol in the street, in parks, courtyards, on public transport, or in most other public places is illegal in Russia and can result in an on-the-spot fine. The exception is licensed outdoor seating — a restaurant terrace or a bar's summer patio is fine, since you are still on the premises of a licensed establishment.
Practical tips for tourists
- Buy from supermarkets or dedicated liquor stores rather than informal sellers — besides being illegal, alcohol from unlicensed sources carries a real risk of being counterfeit.
- Check that spirits carry the official excise stamp (a small holographic strip on the cap or neck) — its absence is a red flag for counterfeit product.
- Carry your passport when you shop; young-looking travelers are sometimes asked for ID.
- If you want a nightcap after 11 p.m., head to a bar or your hotel restaurant rather than a shop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal drinking age in Russia?
Eighteen. Reports that it has been raised to 21 refer to a bill still under discussion in the State Duma, not a law currently in force.
Can I buy alcohol after 11pm in Russia?
Not in shops or supermarkets — retail sales are banned from 23:00 to 8:00 nationwide. Bars, restaurants, and hotels can still serve you a drink after that, since the restriction only applies to retail sales.
Can I drink alcohol in the street in Moscow?
No. Public drinking in streets, parks, courtyards, and on public transport is illegal and can lead to a fine. Licensed café and restaurant terraces are the exception.
Can I order alcohol delivery in Russia?
Not in the way you might expect — home delivery of alcohol is not legal in Russia. Apps that seem to offer it are typically arranging pickup from a nearby licensed shop rather than delivering to your door.
Are the alcohol sales hours the same everywhere in Russia?
No. The 8:00-23:00 window applies in Moscow, but regions can impose stricter limits. Some, like Vologda Region, allow retail sales for as little as two hours a day on weekdays. Outside Moscow, check locally before you shop.
Rules on alcohol sales can vary slightly by region and change over time, so this guide covers the general federal framework and Moscow's own hours. When in doubt, ask the cashier or your hotel. For more on daily etiquette, see our Moscow do's and don'ts guide, browse Moscow's nightlife scene, check the full Russia travel guide, and use a Moscow Pass to plan the rest of your trip.
