Night falls on alcohol sales: Warsaw implements overnight ban across city

A ban on the nighttime sale of alcohol came into force in Warsaw, Poland, on June 1, according to foreign media.

The measure is the latest in a series of restrictions introduced in Polish cities, which have received support from parts of the public. In some cases, authorities have reported a decline in alcohol-related arrests following similar policies.

Poland remains one of the European Union countries with a high rate of alcohol-related mortality.

The new restriction follows pilot programmes in two central districts of Warsaw, where alcohol sales in shops and petrol stations were limited from 22:00 to 06:00. The rules have now been extended across the entire city.

Violations are punishable by fines or the revocation of alcohol sales licences.

The restrictions do not apply to restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, or duty-free shops at Chopin Airport.

Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski said previous measures had proven effective, adding that “what we are doing makes sense.”

In total, more than 200 municipalities in Poland have already introduced similar nighttime alcohol sales restrictions in shops and petrol stations. The rules are also in place in cities including Kraków, Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, and Szczecin.

By Jeyhun Aghazada