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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>61106</law_id><section_number>4.1-325</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited acts by mixed beverage licensees; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>4.1-111</reference><reference>4.1-113</reference><reference>4.1-212.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="4.1">Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Alcoholic Beverage Control Act</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Prohibited Practices; Penalties; Procedural Matters</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Prohibited Practices by Licensees</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> In addition to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Illegal sale or keeping of alcoholic beverages by licensees; penalty" href="/4.1-324/">4.1-324</a>, no <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> nor any agent or employee of such <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-223377" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> <span class="dictionary">Sell</span> or serve any alcoholic beverage other than as authorized by <span class="dictionary">law</span>; <a id="paragraph-223378" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> <span class="dictionary">Sell</span> any authorized alcoholic beverage to any person or at any place except as authorized by <span class="dictionary">law</span>; <a id="paragraph-223379" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Allow at the place described in his license the consumption of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> in violation of this subtitle; <a id="paragraph-223380" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Keep at the place described in his license any alcoholic beverage other than that which he is <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> to <span class="dictionary">sell</span>; <a id="paragraph-223381" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Misrepresent the brand of any alcoholic beverage sold or offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>; <a id="paragraph-223382" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Keep any alcoholic beverage other than in the <span class="dictionary">bottle</span> or <span class="dictionary">container</span> in which it was purchased by him except (i) for a frozen alcoholic beverage, which may include <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> in a frozen drink dispenser of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; (ii) in the case of <span class="dictionary">wine</span>, in <span class="dictionary">containers</span> of a type approved by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> pending automatic dispensing and <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of such <span class="dictionary">wine</span>; and (iii) as otherwise provided by <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation. Neither this subdivision nor any <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation shall prohibit any <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> from premixing <span class="dictionary">containers</span> of <span class="dictionary">sangria</span>, to which <span class="dictionary">spirits</span> may be added, to be served and sold for consumption on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises; <a id="paragraph-223383" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Refill or partly refill any <span class="dictionary">bottle</span> or <span class="dictionary">container</span> of alcoholic beverage or dilute or otherwise tamper with the contents of any <span class="dictionary">bottle</span> or <span class="dictionary">container</span> of alcoholic beverage, except as provided by <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation adopted pursuant to subdivision B 11 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Regulations of Board" href="/4.1-111/">4.1-111</a>; <a id="paragraph-223384" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> <span class="dictionary">Sell</span> or serve any brand of alcoholic beverage which is not the same as that ordered by the purchaser without first advising such purchaser of the difference; <a id="paragraph-223385" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Remove or obliterate any label, mark, or stamp affixed to any <span class="dictionary">container</span> of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>; <a id="paragraph-223386" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Deliver or <span class="dictionary">sell</span> the contents of any <span class="dictionary">container</span> if the label, mark, or stamp has been removed or obliterated; <a id="paragraph-223387" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Allow any obscene conduct, language, literature, pictures, performance, or <span class="dictionary">materials</span> on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises; <a id="paragraph-223388" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Allow any striptease act on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises; <a id="paragraph-223389" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Allow persons connected with the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> business to appear nude or partially nude; <a id="paragraph-223390" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Consume or allow the consumption by an employee of any <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> while on duty and in a position that is involved in the selling or serving of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> to customers.
				The provisions of this subdivision shall not prohibit any retail <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> or his designated employee from (i) consuming product samples or sample servings of (a) <span class="dictionary">beer</span> or <span class="dictionary">wine</span> provided by a representative of a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> <span class="dictionary">beer</span> or <span class="dictionary">wine</span> wholesaler or manufacturer or (b) a distilled spirit provided by a permittee of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> who represents a distiller, if such samples are provided in accordance with <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations and the retail <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> or his designated employee does not violate the provisions of subdivision A 1 f of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Grounds for which Board may suspend or revoke licenses; exception" href="/4.1-225/">4.1-225</a> or (ii) tasting an alcoholic beverage that has been or will be delivered to a customer for quality control purposes; <a id="paragraph-223391" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A15" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Deliver to a consumer an original <span class="dictionary">bottle</span> of an alcoholic beverage purchased under such license whether the closure is broken or unbroken except in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Retail licenses" href="/4.1-206.3/">4.1-206.3</a>.
				The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the delivery of:
				a. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Soju</span>.&#x201D; For the purposes of this subdivision, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">soju</span>&#x201D; means a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage distilled from rice, barley or sweet potatoes;
				b. <span class="dictionary">Spirits</span>, provided (i) the original <span class="dictionary">container</span> is no larger than 375 milliliters, (ii) the <span class="dictionary">alcohol</span> content is no greater than 15 percent by volume, and (iii) the contents of the <span class="dictionary">container</span> are carbonated and perishable; or
				c. The entire contents of an original <span class="dictionary">container</span> of <span class="dictionary">spirits</span> for on-premises or off-premises consumption provided that the (i) <span class="dictionary">container</span> is 16 ounces or less and (ii) <span class="dictionary">alcohol</span> content is no greater than 15 percent by volume. <a id="paragraph-223392" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A16" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Be <span class="dictionary">intoxicated</span> while on duty or employ an <span class="dictionary">intoxicated</span> person on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises; <a id="paragraph-223393" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A17" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Conceal any <span class="dictionary">sale</span> or consumption of any <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span>; <a id="paragraph-223394" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A18" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> Fail or refuse to make samples of any <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> available to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> upon request or obstruct <span class="dictionary">special agents</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> in the discharge of their duties; <a id="paragraph-223395" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A19" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">19.</span> Store <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> purchased under the license in any unauthorized place or remove any such <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> from the premises; <a id="paragraph-223396" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A19"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A20" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">20.</span> Knowingly employ in the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> business any person who has the general reputation as a prostitute, panderer, habitual <span class="dictionary">law</span> violator, person of ill repute, user or peddler of narcotics, or person who drinks to excess or engages in illegal gambling; <a id="paragraph-223397" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A20"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A21" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">21.</span> Keep on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises, except for the premises of a <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> casino <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, a slot machine or any prohibited gambling or gaming device, machine, or apparatus; <a id="paragraph-223398" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A21"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A22" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">22.</span> Make any gift of an alcoholic beverage, other than as a gift made (i) to a personal friend, as a matter of normal social intercourse, so long as the gift is in no way a shift or device to evade the restriction set forth in this subdivision; (ii) to a person responsible for the planning, preparation or conduct on any conference, convention, trade show or event held or to be held on the premises of the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, when such gift is made in the course of usual and customary business entertainment and is in no way a shift or device to evade the restriction set forth in this subdivision; (iii) pursuant to subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Wine and beer license privileges; advertising; displays; tastings" href="/4.1-209/">4.1-209</a>; (iv) pursuant to subdivision A 10 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Conduct not prohibited by this subtitle; limitation" href="/4.1-201/">4.1-201</a>; (v) by a <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> casino <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> to a patron of such <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> in accordance with the provisions of subdivision A 14 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Retail licenses" href="/4.1-206.3/">4.1-206.3</a>; or (vi) pursuant to any <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation. Any gift permitted by this subdivision shall be subject to the taxes imposed by this subtitle on <span class="dictionary">sales</span> of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span>. The <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> shall keep complete and accurate records of gifts given in accordance with this subdivision; or <a id="paragraph-223399" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A22"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A23" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">23.</span> Establish any normal or customary pricing of its <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> that is intended as a shift or device to evade any &#x201C;happy hour&#x201D; regulations adopted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; however, a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> may increase the volume of an alcoholic beverage sold to a customer if there is a commensurate increase in the normal or customary price charged for the same alcoholic beverage. <a id="paragraph-223400" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#A23"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-223401" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The provisions of subdivisions A 12 and A 13 shall not apply to persons operating theaters, concert halls, art centers, museums, or similar <span class="dictionary">establishments</span> that are devoted primarily to the arts or theatrical performances, when the performances that are presented are expressing matters of serious literary, artistic, scientific, or political value. <a id="paragraph-223402" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-325/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1968, c. 7, &#xA7; 4-98.10; 1970, c. 120; 1974, c. 548; 1975, c. 483; 1976, cc. 750, 768; 1978, c. 69; 1979, c. 227; 1982, c. 316; 1983, c. 608; 1993, c. 866; 2000, c. 780; 2002, c. 105; 2003, c. 856; 2004, c. 913; 2006, cc. 256, 826; 2008, cc. 513, 629, 794, 875; 2009, cc. 20, 509; 2010, c. 481; 2013, c. 661; 2015, cc. 38, 404, 604, 730; 2017, c. 154; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2022, cc. 589, 590; 2023, cc. 213, 214, 774; 2024, cc. 111, 255, 619, 622, 627; 2025, c. 435.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
