St Petersburg push prompts bid to limit alcohol sales in Russia

Local authorities in St Petersburg have moved to tighten rules on where alcohol may be sold, filing an amendment to federal law that would restrict the sale of alcoholic drinks in public catering establishments that only have an entrance from a courtyard. The proposal, submitted to the regional legislature on 25 December, would give regional governments the power to define which venue entrances are permitted for businesses selling alcohol.

Limit alcohol sales in Russia

Under the draft amendment, municipalities would be able to determine whether a venue’s access point is suitable for licences to sell alcohol. Proponents argue this will help tackle recurrent problems linked to so called “courtyard bars”, where entrances opening directly onto residential courtyards or near children’s playgrounds have been associated with noise, fights and litter.

City officials and members of the Legislative Assembly who backed the change said residents regularly suffer from disturbances late into the night and that such incidents also increase pressure on local policing and waste services. The explanatory note accompanying the draft law highlights complaints about public order and safety around drinking establishments, citing both violent incidents and the presence of refuse near sites frequented by families.

If adopted at the federal level, the amendment would not itself ban specific businesses. Instead it would devolve authority, allowing regional and municipal authorities to craft rules that reflect local needs and urban layouts. Supporters say that tailoring regulations locally will be more effective than a one size fits all approach imposed from Moscow.

Critics caution that municipal discretion may create varied regimes across regions, complicating compliance for restaurateurs and small business owners. Some industry representatives have warned against measures that could close off viable locations for legitimate enterprises and have called for clear criteria and transition periods to avoid sudden disruption.

The debate in St Petersburg echoes other moves across Russia to tighten alcohol controls. Authorities in the Altai Republic announced plans to restrict sales further by banning alcohol sales on weekends and public holidays while shortening permitted sales hours on weekdays. Regional regulators say these steps aim to reduce alcohol-related harm and ease burdens on health and law enforcement services.

Legal experts note the proposal would require careful drafting to align with existing federal alcohol legislation. It would also need clarity on enforcement powers and the process for designating permitted entrances. Municipalities would face the practical task of mapping venue access points and consulting with businesses and residents before setting new rules.

For now, the amendment is under consideration in the regional assembly and would need to be taken up at the federal level before any change becomes law. The outcome will test how far Russia’s regions can be empowered to shape alcohol policy to address local public order concerns while balancing business interests and legal certainty.