Liquor sales barred on November 8 in Delhi, Maharashtra and UP for Diwali dry day

Those planning a party over the Diwali holiday should first check the dry day rules. On November 8, 2026, liquor sales will remain shut in several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Both government and private liquor shops will be closed that day, so beer, country liquor and foreign liquor will not be available for purchase.

The impact of the dry day is not limited to liquor shops. Rules for bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels can differ from state to state. Besides Diwali, liquor sales will also be barred in many states on occasions such as Guru Nanak Jayanti and Christmas, in November and December. Anyone planning to go out or hold a party should first check their own state's dry day rules.

In Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, all retail shops, government shops and regular bars will be closed on November 8 for Diwali. In Uttar Pradesh, liquor shops along with beer shops will also remain shut that day. In Maharashtra, liquor shops, wine shops and bars will be closed.

Serving liquor in bars, pubs and restaurants will also be prohibited. Regular bars and restaurants will not be able to serve liquor that day. However, 4-star and 5-star hotels with special licences may be allowed to serve guests liquor through room service, subject to their state's excise rules and licence conditions.

More dry days will follow in November and December. On Guru Nanak Jayanti, November 24, 2026, liquor shops and bars will be closed in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Liquor sales will also be barred in both states on Christmas Day, December 25.

In Maharashtra, liquor shops and bars will be closed on November 5 for Kartik Ekadashi. Liquor sales will also be barred in the state on Diwali, November 8. Other states such as Haryana and Madhya Pradesh may also restrict liquor shops on Diwali because of the religious holiday.

Liquor sales are not shut every day through the festival season. In Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, liquor shops will stay open as usual on Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, as these days have not been declared dry days.