For example, under
Wyoming Statute § 12-6-101, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol unless under a parent’s supervision or for religious/medicinal purposes. Yet individuals as young as 18 can legally serve alcohol in restaurant dining areas but, and this is important to remember, they cannot bartend, pour, or work in bar-only spaces.
If you work in hospitality, retail, or bar management in Wyoming, knowing these laws is essential. That’s why so many businesses and staff rely on
Wyoming Alcohol Awareness Training to stay compliant, avoid costly penalties, and build customer trust.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Wyoming’s seller-server age, the legal drinking age, penalties for violations, and key compliance insights.
Wyoming regulates alcohol through a combination of state statutes and oversight from the
Wyoming Liquor Division (WLD). While Wyoming is neither a “dry” state nor a full “control” state, it does maintain strict laws around age limits and alcohol sales. Private businesses can obtain licenses, but they must comply with state-set restrictions.
Key foundation points:
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Statute § 12-6-101: Prohibits underage purchase, possession, or consumption of alcohol.
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National Minimum Drinking Age Act (1984): Wyoming aligned with federal requirements by raising the drinking age to 21 in 1988.
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WLD enforcement: Oversees licensing, training, and compliance.
The
legal drinking age is 21, consistent with national law. Wyoming’s rules are clear but allow narrow exceptions.
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General Rule: Anyone under 21 cannot purchase, possess, or consume alcohol.
-
Exceptions:
Parent/guardian provision in their presence (e.g., family dinner at home).
Religious purposes (such as communion).
Medicinal use (doctor-prescribed).
Violations result in misdemeanor charges with fines, possible jail time, and often
mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs.No, not legally, unless under parental supervision or during religious/medicinal use.
Wyoming raised its age to 21 in 1988, following the federal law that tied highway funding to compliance.
Wyoming makes an important distinction between serving alcohol and bartending or selling it.
| Activity |
Minimum Age |
Notes |
| Sell Alcohol (off-premise/liquor store) |
21 |
Applies to retail and liquor store clerks. |
Serve Alcohol (on-premise, bars/restaurants)
|
21 |
Standard for most servers. |
Serve Alcohol in Restaurant Dining Area
|
18 |
Allowed, but no mixing/pouring — only table delivery.
|
| Bartend (mix, pour, or work behind bar) |
21 |
Full bartending duties require 21+. |
| Legal Drinking Age |
21 |
With narrow family/religious exceptions.
|
This exception for 18–20-year-old servers helps restaurants staff their dining areas, but it draws a sharp legal line: they may deliver alcohol to tables, but cannot work behind a bar or pour drinks.
Using or accepting a fake ID is a serious offense. Servers and sellers who knowingly allow underage purchases face criminal charges and licensing risks.
- Fines up to several hundred dollars
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Possible jail time
-
Court-mandated evaluations or treatment
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Business license suspension or revocation
Wyoming allows alcohol sales generally from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., but counties and municipalities can restrict further.
- Is Wyoming a dry state? No. Alcohol sales are legal with proper licensing.
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Is Wyoming a control state? No. Private businesses manage sales under state regulation.
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However, local jurisdictions may set additional restrictions.
- Age confusion: Many new hires don’t realize the difference between “serving” at 18 and bartending at 21.
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Liability exposure: Businesses risk fines and suspension if underage employees handle alcohol incorrectly.
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Staff turnover: Training gaps increase mistakes as new staff cycle in.
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Customer pushback: Parents sometimes test boundaries by ordering drinks for 18–20-year-old children in restaurants.
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Enforcement pressure: Police and liquor enforcement run compliance checks frequently.
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Fake IDs: Servers face increasing challenges with high-quality counterfeit IDs.
- Shift toward compliance training: More employers now require alcohol awareness certification.
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ID verification tech: Adoption of scanners and apps to reduce human error.
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Staffing with younger workers: Restaurants hiring 18–20-year-olds for table service under the exception.
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Consumer accountability: Higher penalties for underage drinking and purchasing.
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Insurance standards: Some insurers now require alcohol training as a condition for coverage.
- Always check IDs even for customers who look older.
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Train young staff (18–20) on their limits: they can only deliver alcohol at tables, not pour or bartend.
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Post policies visibly in employee areas to reinforce rules.
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Enroll staff in training early, especially during onboarding, to standardize knowledge.
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Document training completion to protect against liability.
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Stay updated with Wyoming Liquor Division notices because laws can shift at local levels.
By building compliance into workplace culture, managers reduce risks and improve customer trust.
Wyoming’s alcohol laws are straightforward but nuanced. The
legal drinking age is 21, with narrow exceptions. To
sell or bartend, employees must also be 21. However, Wyoming’s unique restaurant exception allows
18-year-olds to serve alcohol at dining tables provided they do not pour or mix drinks. Businesses must also follow strict ID enforcement, hours of sale rules, and penalties for violations.
While Wyoming is neither a dry state nor a control state, the regulatory environment is serious, and violations can put both employees and owners at risk. For businesses, the safest path is proactive compliance.
That’s why many employers choose
Wyoming Alcohol Awareness Training for bartenders, servers, managers, and owners. It ensures staff understand their responsibilities, reduces liability, and keeps establishments fully compliant with Wyoming law.
Protect your license, empower your team, and serve responsibly as Wyoming’s alcohol industry depends on it.
