California law generally stops alcohol sales at 2:00 a.m. statewide, both in bars and in most stores, with no sales allowed again until 6:00 a.m.

Basic rule (short answer)

  • Bars, restaurants, clubs:
    • Can serve alcohol from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
* “Last call” is usually around 1:30–1:45 a.m., so drinks are finished by 2:00 a.m.
  • Stores (liquor, grocery, convenience like 7‑Eleven):
    • Can sell alcohol from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., no sales 2:00–6:00 a.m.

So in everyday terms, California stops selling alcohol at 2:00 a.m. almost everywhere.

Small twists and “latest news”

  • The 2:00 a.m. cutoff comes from state law (Business and Professions Code §25631), which makes selling alcohol between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. a misdemeanor.
  • Lawmakers have repeatedly floated “4 a.m. last call” pilot programs for certain cities (like San Francisco), but these proposals are limited, political, and not statewide.
  • As of the latest reporting, the default for most of California is still 2:00 a.m. closing for alcohol sales.

Mini FAQ

Does every bar have to close at 2:00 a.m.?

  • They don’t have to close, but they must stop serving alcohol by 2:00 a.m., so most do close or switch to non-alcohol service.

What about holidays or weekends?

  • The same 6:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m. window applies every day, including weekends and most holidays, unless a special local rule or event permit says otherwise.

Can any place sell alcohol 24 hours?

  • Not under current general state law; selling between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. is prohibited.

TL;DR: In California, alcohol sales (bars and stores) must stop at 2:00 a.m., and can start again at 6:00 a.m., unless you are in a rare local pilot or special-permit situation.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.