Australians gearing up for Christmas lunches, Boxing Day BBQs, and New Year’s Eve parties are warned to check bottle shop trading hours early, as liquor stores across the country have confirmed reduced opening times over the festive period.
While most major chains stay open late in the days leading up to Christmas, Christmas Day itself will remain largely dry nationwide, catching out shoppers who leave their celebrations to the last minute.
Trading will bounce back quickly from Boxing Day, but with different rules across states – and even suburbs – many stores are set to operate for shorter hours or close altogether on key public holidays.
With champagne, beer, and last-minute hosting staples in high demand, customers are urged to plan ahead, particularly in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, where some outlets will shut their doors.
Below is a clear breakdown of Christmas and New Year trading hours for Australia’s major bottle shop chains, including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, and Liquorland, to help shoppers avoid the festive dash – and the nightmare scenario of an empty esky just before guests arrive.
Dan Murphy’s
Australians gearing up for Christmaslunches, Boxing Day barbecues, and New Year’s Eve parties are warned to check bottle shop trading hours early
(Opening and closing times may vary by location; customers are advised to check danmurphys.com.au)
ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES
Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24)
Open 9am-9pm. (Some stores operated extended hours; customers are advised to check locally.)
Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25)
All stores closed.
Boxing Day (Friday, December 26)
Open nationwide.
Trading hours:
- All states: 9am-8pm
- Victoria: 9am-7pm
Saturday, December 27 & Sunday, December 28
Open 10am-7pm nationwide.
New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31)
Open 9am-9pm nationwide.
New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1)
Open 10am-6pm nationwide.
BWS
While most major chains stay open late in the days leading up to Christmas, Christmas Day itself will remain largely dry nationwide
(Opening and closing times may vary by location; customers are advised to check bws.com.au)
ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES
Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24)
Normal trading hours. (Some stores extended closing times.)
Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25)
Most stores closed. (Selected stores remained open; customers are advised to check locally.)
Boxing Day (Friday, December 26)
Stores open with varied hours nationwide.
Saturday, December 27 & Sunday, December 28
Stores open with varied hours nationwide.
New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31)
Normal trading hours with some stores having extended closing times.
New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1)
Stores open with varied hours nationwide.
Liquorland
Trading will bounce back quickly from Boxing Day, but with different rules across states – and even suburbs – many stores are set to operate at shorter hours or close altogether on key public holidays
(Opening and closing times may vary by location; customers are advised to check liquorland.com.au)
ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES
Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24)
All stores open.
Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25)
All stores closed.
Exceptions:
- Victoria: Abbotsford and Bairnsdale Main Street
- Tasmania: selected Hobart, Launceston and regional stores
Boxing Day (Friday, December 26)
All stores open.
Exceptions:
- Queensland: BHs Liquor Shop
- South Australia: selected suburban stores
Saturday December 27 & Sunday December 28
Stores open with varied hours nationwide.
New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31)
All stores open.
New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1)
Most stores open.
Exceptions:
- Queensland: Coorparoo, Toowong Station, Milton Village, Red Hill, 195 Adelaide Street, Redcliffe-Anzac Avenue, Albany Creek, Strathpine, and BHs Liquor Shop
- South Australia: selected metropolitan and regional stores
Liquorland Warehouse
(Opening and closing times may vary by location; customers are advised to check liquorland.com.au.)
Victoria and New South Wales
Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24)
All stores open.
Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25)
All stores closed.
Boxing Day (Friday, December 26) through New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1)
All stores open.
Liquorland Cellars (or Vintage Cellars at some locations)
With champagne, beer, and last-minute hosting staples in high demand, customers are urged to plan ahead, particularly in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, where selected outlets will shut their doors
(Opening and closing times may vary by location; customers are advised to check liquorland.com.au)
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland
Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24)
All stores open.
Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25)
All stores closed.
Boxing Day (Friday, December 26) through New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1)
All stores open.
