Drinking alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, and parking lots in Boston is prohibited under Boston Code Ch. 16-12 and is enforced through fines and possible arrest by the Boston Police.
Boston Code Ch. 16-12.16 prohibits drinking any alcoholic beverage or possessing an open container in any public way, public place, or private property without the owner's consent. The ordinance covers sidewalks, MBTA platforms, parks managed by the Boston Parks & Recreation Department, and most plaza and harbor walk areas. Limited exceptions exist for licensed outdoor cafes, permitted block parties, and city-approved festival zones. Possession of alcohol in vehicles is separately governed by MGL Ch. 90 §24I. Underage drinking is enforced under MGL Ch. 138 §34A and §34C with license suspension consequences for those under 21.
Open-container violations carry a $200 fine under Boston Code Ch. 16-12 and may result in arrest if the person fails to provide identification or is intoxicated; underage offenses bring license loss.
See how Boston's public alcohol use rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.