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Online stores for wine and spirits brands in the US

Old rule: You can't sell spirits online.You can, through the right partner.

Alcohol is one of the hardest things to sell online in the US: three tiers, different rules in every state, age checks and partners who are the legal seller. We have built for drinks brands for years, from Dos Hombres on Shopify with BottleNexus to storefronts powered by ReserveBar and LiquidCommerce.

Start a project →From $4,900Written brief, fixed price in two days, no calls.

Where your bottles can go.

Direct-to-consumer shipping by state, from our free tool. Everything grey sells through the three-tier system: a licensed partner makes it legal.

  1. AL
  2. AK
  3. AZ
  4. AR
  5. CA
  6. CO
  7. CT
  8. DE
  9. DC
  10. FL
  11. GA
  12. HI
  13. ID
  14. IL
  15. IN
  16. IA
  17. KS
  18. KY
  19. LA
  20. ME
  21. MD
  22. MA
  23. MI
  24. MN
  25. MS
  26. MO
  27. MT
  28. NE
  29. NV
  30. NH
  31. NJ
  32. NM
  33. NY
  34. NC
  35. ND
  36. OH
  37. OK
  38. OR
  39. PA
  40. RI
  41. SC
  42. SD
  43. TN
  44. TX
  45. UT
  46. VT
  47. VA
  48. WA
  49. WV
  50. WI
  51. WY
  • Direct shipping 42
  • With limits 8
  • Three-tier only 1

Open the full state-by-state tool →

LiquidCommerce buy buttons we built for brand pages (The Macallan, Valdespino): a licensed retailer makes the sale, the brand keeps its own page.
LiquidCommerce buy buttons we built for brand pages (The Macallan, Valdespino): a licensed retailer makes the sale, the brand keeps its own page.

What you get

More of the work

Dos Hombres: Shopify store, BottleNexus integration and email marketing.
Dos HombresShopify store, BottleNexus integration and email marketing.
Mermaid Gin: The whole Shopify site for an Isle of Wight distillery, designed and built by us.
Mermaid GinThe whole Shopify site for an Isle of Wight distillery, designed and built by us.
Posh Gin: AI images and motion for a pink gin that wanted summer all year.
Posh GinMade with AIAI images and motion for a pink gin that wanted summer all year.
MAGA Beer: Website, AI images and films, decks and an always-on social feed.
MAGA BeerMade with AIWebsite, AI images and films, decks and an always-on social feed.
Out East: Social films with an East Coast summer mood.
Out EastMade with AISocial films with an East Coast summer mood.

“Looks great… thanks for all your hard work!”

Jim Green, CEO, Dos Hombres

“As always, thank you for being such a wonderful partner to us!”

Jaclyn Costik, eCommerce Solutions Implementation Manager, ReserveBar

Questions

Can a spirits brand sell direct to consumers in the US?

Only in a few places: spirits direct shipping is legal in about 10 states plus DC. Elsewhere the sale has to go through a licensed retailer, which is what BottleNexus, ReserveBar and LiquidCommerce connect you to.

BottleNexus, ReserveBar or LiquidCommerce?

It depends on how much control you want over the site and checkout, and which states matter most. Our comparison guide lays out the differences, and we set up whichever fits.

Can we use Shopify Payments for alcohol?

Shopify Payments does not list alcohol as prohibited in the US, but Shopify reviews alcohol stores and can hold payouts. When a licensed retailer is the seller, their checkout takes the payment instead.

How much does it cost?

A store or partner integration starts from $4,900 as a fixed-price sprint. Ongoing content, email and store work runs on the studio, from $6,500 a month.

Keep reading

You can't ship spirits.

Wine and spirits shipping, state by state

Can you ship wine or spirits to this state? Check all 50 states and DC, with notes and sources.

Free tool: Open →All alcohol checkouts work the same.

ReserveBar vs LiquidCommerce vs Bottle Nexus: an honest comparison

ReserveBar, LiquidCommerce and Bottle Nexus compared for spirits brands: seller of record, brand control, Shopify fit, published fees and best fit by brand.

Read →Shopify doesn't allow alcohol.

Selling alcohol on Shopify in the US: rules, payments, shipping

What Shopify allows for alcohol, how Shopify Payments, age checks and carrier rules work, and when a licensed partner like ReserveBar or BottleNexus is better.

Read →You can't ship spirits to customers.

Where Can You Ship Wine and Spirits Direct to Consumers?

Wine ships direct to 49 states and DC. Spirits ship to just 10 states and DC. A state-by-state guide to DTC permits, taxes, carriers and the three-tier route.

Read →A 'Yes, I'm 21' button is enough.

Age gates and age verification for US alcohol websites

What US law requires vs what DISCUS, Wine Institute and Beer Institute codes ask, how to build an accessible age gate, and how to keep gated pages in Google.

Read →

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check with the state and your compliance partner.