Can I drink alcohol in a public place?
No: drinking alcohol in public spaces is generally banned. Under Law 61/1991 on public order and peace, drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is banned and sanctioned as a contravention. The ban applies on public roads, in parks, on stadiums and sports grounds, in cultural institutions, concert halls, all public-transport vehicles, bus stations, train stations and airports. Alcoholic beverages can be consumed only in the specially designated and delimited spaces — that is, on the terraces and in the licensed venues (restaurants, bars, clubs). For minors, drinking alcohol in public spaces is banned in any situation.
📋 The rules
- Drinking alcohol in public spaces is banned (Law 61/1991)
- Ban: roads, parks, stadiums, public transport, stations
- Allowed only in designated spaces: terraces and licensed venues
- For minors: banned in any situation
- Disturbing public order increases the sanction
🔓 Exceptions
- Terraces, restaurants, bars, licensed clubs: drinking is allowed
- Specially designated and delimited spaces set by the venue's management
- Events with authorised serving zones
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Drinking alcohol in non-permitted places is sanctioned with a fine of 100 to 500 lei. If the act is accompanied by behaviour that disturbs public order (scandal, insults), sanctions can rise and exceed 1,000 lei. To avoid fines: drink alcohol only in licensed spaces (terraces, venues), don't drink on the street, in parks, on public transport or in front of shops, and note that for minors drinking in public is banned without exception. Remember the rules on driving under the influence of alcohol are separate and far stricter (a crime).
📎 Official sources
- Law 61/1991 on public order and peace →
- Romanian Police · Public order →
- Penal Code · art. 336 (driving under influence) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drink alcohol on the street or in a park?
No. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public spaces — on roads, in parks, on stadiums, on public transport, in train and bus stations — is banned by Law 61/1991 and sanctioned as a contravention. Alcohol can be consumed only in specially designated spaces.
What's the fine for drinking alcohol in public?
As a rule between 100 and 500 lei. If the act is accompanied by behaviour that disturbs public order, such as scandal or insults, sanctions can rise and exceed 1,000 lei. The fine applies to drinking in places not permitted by law.
Where am I allowed to drink alcohol outside the home?
In specially designated and licensed spaces — terraces, restaurants, bars, clubs and other catering or tourism venues. There drinking is allowed, being exempt from the ban on open public spaces, such as streets or parks.
Can minors drink alcohol in public?
No, in no situation. For minors, drinking alcohol in public spaces is banned without exception. In addition, traders may not sell alcoholic beverages to minors. These rules aim to protect the health and safety of children and teenagers.
Is drinking in the car or on the street with an open bottle banned?
Drinking on public transport and in open public spaces, such as the street, is banned and sanctioned. Separately, and far more seriously, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is a crime under the Penal Code, with penalties that include imprisonment.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “drinking alcohol in public fine”
- “can i drink alcohol in a park”
- “law 61/1991 alcohol”
- “alcohol on the street banned romania”
- “where can i drink alcohol”
- “minors drinking alcohol in public”