The short answer?
No, Vermont is not a dry state. Alcohol sales and service are legal and regulated—but with a unique twist:
some local towns have opted to remain “dry,” banning the sale of alcohol within their borders. This creates a patchwork of policies that can catch employers and workers off guard.
This guide will unpack Vermont’s complex relationship with alcohol—from its prohibition-era history to its modern regulations—and clarify who can serve alcohol, where it’s allowed, and how to stay compliant.
📘 If you’re involved in alcohol service or sales in Vermont, the
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training is your key to meeting state requirements and avoiding costly legal mistakes.
A dry state is a jurisdiction where the sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned. While no U.S. state is 100% dry today, some towns and counties still exercise local control over alcohol availability.
- Dry: No alcohol sales or distribution allowed
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Wet: Alcohol is fully legal and regulated
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Damp: Alcohol is legal in some areas but restricted in others (e.g., time of sale, types of establishments)
So, as you can see, Vermont falls under the
“damp” category.
Vermont is not a dry state—alcohol sales and service are allowed across the state. However, Vermont law gives individual towns the authority to vote on whether to allow alcohol sales.
As of the latest available data, these Vermont towns are classified as “dry” or have some prohibition on alcohol sales:
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Athens (Windham County)
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Maidstone (Essex County)
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Morgan (Orleans County)
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Baltimore (Windsor County) - the primary dry town in this list as of writing
In these municipalities, alcohol cannot be sold or have some form of restriction—even in restaurants or retail establishments—unless voters pass a local measure to change the law.
Important: You can still consume alcohol in Vermont at the legal drinking age of 21, even if you're in a dry town. The restrictions apply only to the sale and distribution.
Alcohol in Vermont is regulated by the
Department of Liquor and Lottery, Division of Liquor Control (DLC). This agency oversees licensing, sales, and compliance with alcohol laws statewide.
The DLC requires:
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All alcohol servers and sellers to complete alcohol server certification
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Businesses to apply for the correct license based on type of alcohol, location, and business use
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Renewals of server certification every two years
Even in towns where alcohol is legal, these rules apply uniformly.
Newcomers often assume alcohol is legal everywhere in Vermont. But dry towns still exist, causing confusion during hiring, event planning, or liquor licensing.
Many blogs and forums contain old data about Vermont’s dry towns. Business owners must check with local boards or the DLC for up-to-date rules.
Workers think they can start bartending at 18 without training. In reality, Vermont mandates alcohol server certification before any alcohol-related duties begin.
Courses like TIPS or ServSafe aren’t always Vermont-specific. Employers may unknowingly rely on training that doesn’t meet DLC requirements.
Small bar and restaurant owners face high expectations for recordkeeping and legal training—especially those near dry areas or serving at events across town borders.
Some dry towns are considering opening up to limited alcohol sales to support tourism or revitalize local businesses.
Vermont ranks among the top U.S. states for breweries per capita—driving demand for skilled, certified alcohol staff.
Inspections and random audits have increased, especially after licensing renewals or complaints from the public.
This applies to:
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Bartenders
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Servers
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Managers
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Alcohol sellers and cashiers
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Valets and ID checkers
There is
no separate bartending license—the required credential is your
server certification.
- Check Local Ordinances: Before opening or staffing a location, confirm if the town is dry or has sales restrictions.
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Hire Certified Staff Only: Ensure every employee handling alcohol has a valid certificate before day one.
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Verify Training Course Validity: Confirm your training provider is aligned with Vermont DLC regulations.
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Audit Certification Logs: Track expiration dates in a digital spreadsheet or use onboarding software.
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Clarify Policies with Vendors: Caterers and event staff must also follow DLC regulations—even in private venues.
While national providers like TIPS and ServSafe Alcohol are recognized broadly,
not all of their courses are Vermont-compliant.
For example:
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Some ServSafe modules focus on food safety, not alcohol law
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Certain TIPS versions don’t reflect Vermont’s dry town restrictions or DLC policies
Opting for a Vermont-focused program ensures you’re not only trained—but
trained the right way.
🎯 The
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training is tailored to Vermont’s laws and helps staff confidently navigate both state and local rules.
Vermont allows alcohol sales statewide, but its local control approach creates a landscape with
patches of dry towns, stringent training rules, and active oversight from the Department of Liquor Control.
If you work in, manage, or own a business that deals with alcohol in Vermont, understanding and following these layered regulations is essential—not just for legal compliance, but for community trust and business success.
📘 Want to stay compliant while serving responsibly? Enroll in
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training today and ensure your team is trained, certified, and ready to serve confidently.
See more guides and training resources for alcohol service in Vermont:
