List-Feast: More Bizarre Food And Drink Laws

The site dumblaws.com lists a host of ridiculous laws they claim to be or have been on the books across the country. Among the many laws cited are a huge number of seemingly ridiculous food and drink related laws. They make no claims as to how accurate or current the laws actually are, but some of them are pretty funny. And when ten laws were spot-checked, they actually turned out to be true. To learn which seemingly bizarre food laws were confirmed check out the full story: Bizarre Food Laws.

Some examples of the ridiculous food and drink laws listed on the site? It's supposedly illegal in Lee County, Ala. to sell peanuts post-sundown on Wednesdays. In California, it's said to be illegal to bring a fish into a bar. In Georgia, you may get in trouble for carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket on Sunday. Chicago law forbids eating at a place that's on fire, and in Connecticut (if this is to be believed), a pickle must bounce to be considered a pickle.

It would take months in law libraries, and weeks trolling government websites to confirm them all, but if you're just looking for a laugh check out the full list below.

 

Alabama
• It's illegal to sell peanuts in Lee County post-sundown, Wednesday.
• Putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death.
• You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket.
• It is illegal to spit orange peels on the sidewalk. Sec. 39-76

Alaska
• It's an offense to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose in Fairbanks.
•In Fairbanks, employers of bars may not let their bartenders serve while they are drunk themselves. 9.04.030

Arizona
• It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water.

Arkansas
• In Little Rock, no one may "suddenly start or stop" their car at a McDonald's.

California
• Waitresses aren't allowed to consume drinks bought by customers.
• In Fresno, getting drunk on a playground is against the law. SECTION 8-120
• In Hermosa it is illegal to pour salt on a highway. 9.12. 040
• Toads may not be licked in L.A..
• No person may carry a fish into a bar. 6.05.410

Colorado
• Establishments in Arvada which sell alcohol must have enough lighting to read text inside them. Sec. 3-4
• Residents of Louisville may not own chickens, but may own up to three turkeys. Sec. 6.16.020

Connecticut
• For a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce.
• You cannot buy any alcohol after 9pm or on Sundays after noon on Sunday. Chapter 545

Delaware
• It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink..
• It is unlawful for any person to live, dwell, cook, sleep, change clothes or use toilet facilities inside any vehicle within the corporate limits of the Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware. 116-5
• On Halloween, children may only "trick-or-treat" from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and if Halloween falls on a Sunday, they must "trick-or-treat" on October 30th during this same time interval. 198-33
• Alcohol may not be served in nightclubs if dancing is occurring on the premises at the same time. 134-13

Georgia
• No carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket on Sunday.
• Athens-Clarke County: Adult bookstores may not sell alcohol. Sec. 6-11-21
• Massage businesses may not sell alcohol on the side. Sec. 6-8-8
• It is illegal to sell two beers are once for a single price. For example, a bar can't run a 2 Bud Lights for $5 special. Sec. 6-3-7

Idaho
• Illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.
• Residents of Boise may not fish from a giraffe's back.
 

Illinois
• Chicago law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.
• It is illegal to give a dog whiskey.
• It is forbidden to fish while sitting on a giraffe's neck.
• In the Pullman area, it is illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while sitting on the curb.
• A person must get a referral from a licensed physician if he or she wishes to see a hypnotist unless the desired procedure is to quit smoking or lose weight.

 

Indiana
• Grocery stores may not sell any type of cold liquor.
• Men are prohibited from standing in a bar.
• You are not allowed to carry a cocktail from the bar to a table.
• Drinks on the house are illegal.
• Drinking from your own bottle in a bar can lead to your arrest.
• You are required to pour your drink into a glass.
• It is illegal for a liquor store to sell cold soft drinks. IC 7.1-3-10-5.
• Liquor stores may not sell milk. IC 7.1-3-10-5
• Grocery stores may not sell any type of cold liquor.
• In Gary, within four hours of eating garlic, a person may not enter a movie house, theater, or ride a public streetcar.

 

Iowa
• Grocery stores may not sell any type of cold liquor.
• Ministers must obtain a permit to carry their liquor across state lines.
• Bettendorf Liquor stores may not place advertisements for beer outside the store.
• The "Ice Cream Man" and his truck are banned from Indianola.
• Horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants in Marshalltown.
• Men are prohibited from standing in a bar.
• You are not allowed to carry a cocktail from the bar to a table.
• Drinks on the house are illegal..
• Drinking from your own bottle in a bar can lead to your arrest.
• You are required to pour your drink into a glass.
• It is forbidden to eat watermelon in the park in Beech Grove.
 
Kansas
• No one may catch fish with his bare hands.
 
Louisiana
• A law was passed with the specific intent of stating the punishment for stealing crawfish. RS 14:67.5
• It's a $500 fine to have a pizza delivery man deliver pizza to your friend without them knowing. RS 14:68.6 
• In Jefferson Parish all garbage must be cooked before it can be fed to any hogs.
• City commission members may not drink during a public meeting or risk a $50 fine.
• No one may throw a bottle of Coke at a parade float.
• Television reporters may not throw candy to the crowd during a parade. Sec. 34-27
• Drive-thru liquor stores are outlawed in Sulphur. Sec. 3-4
• In Sulphur it is illegal to be an alcoholic. Sec. 8-135
 
Maine
• In South Berwick it is illegal to park in front of Dunkin Donuts. Article III Sec. 15
 
Massachusetts
• Candy may not contain more than 1% of alcohol. Chapter 270: Section 8
• It is illegal to give beer to hospital patients. Chapter 270: Section 5
• At a wake, mourners may eat no more than three sandwiches.
• Tomatoes may not be used in the production of clam chowder.
• Alcoholic drink specials are illegal.
• In Boston it is illegal to eat peanuts in church.
• In Burlington you may not walk around with a "drink."
• In Woburn bars it is actually illegal to "walk around" with a beer in your hand.

  Michigan
• Persons may not be drunk on trains. 436.201
 
Minnesota
• Hamburgers may not be eaten on Sundays in St. Cloud.
 
Missouri
• One may not drink in a bar between 2:00 and 6:00 AM. Section 4-68
• It Natchez it shall be unlawful to provide beer or other intoxicants to elephants.
• In St. Louis it's illegal to sit on the curb of any city street and drink beer from a bucket.
• In St. Louis a milk man may not run while on duty.
 
Montana
• Bands who play in clubs where alcohol is served may not leave the stage while performing. Sec. 3-301
 
Nebraska
• It is Illegal to go whale fishing.
• It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup.
• Doughnut holes may not be sold in Lehigh.
 
Nevada
• In Nyala a man is forbidden from buying drinks for more than three people other than himself at any one period during the day.
 
New Hampshire
• You may not tap your feet, nod your head, or in any way keep time to the music in a tavern, restaurant, or cafe.
• In Claremont cemeteries it is illegal to: get drunk, picnic, enter at night, and enter by one's self if that person is younger than 10.
• It is against the law for a man to knit during the fishing season.
 
New Jersey
• If you have been convicted of driving while intoxicated, you may never again apply for personalized license plates.
• You may not slurp your soup.
• It is illegal to offer whiskey or cigarettes to animals a the local zoo in Manville
• In Mount Laurel it is illegal to get drunk and annoy others in your house. 109-1
• In Newark it is illegal to sell ice cream after 6pm, unless the customer has a note from his doctor.
• In Trenton you may not throw a bad pickle in the street.
• In Trenton pickles are not to be consumed on Sundays.
 
New Mexico
• You may not carry a lunchbox down Main Street in Las Cruces.

New York City
• A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket.
• In Greene during a concert, it is illegal to eat peanuts and walk backwards on the sidewalks.
• In Ocean City eating while swimming in the ocean is prohibited.
• In Ocean City people may not slurp their soup.
• In Ocean City raw hamburger may not be sold.
• In Ocean City it is illegal to eat in the street in residential neighborhoods, and the only beverage you can drink on the beach is water in a clear plastic bottle.

 North Carolina
• Serving alcohol at a bingo game is not allowed. 14-293
 
North Dakota
• Beer and pretzels can't be served at the same time in any bar or restaurant.
 
Ohio
• It is illegal to get a fish drunk.
 
Oklahoma
• While it is legal to serve alcohol in a pool hall, all intoxicated persons must leave the premises. 7-69
• In Tulsa you may not open a soda bottle without the supervision of a licensed engineer.
 
Oregon
• Dishes must drip dry.
• Ice cream may not be eaten on Sundays.
• Canned corn is not to be used as bait for fishing.
• In Marion you cannot eat a doughnut and walk backwards on a city street.
• Ministers are forbidden from eating garlic or onions before delivering a sermon.
• In Stanfield no more than two people may share a single drink.
 
Pennsylvania
• It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
• No more than two packages of beer at a time may be purchased, unless you are buying from an official "beer distributor".
• All liquor stores must be run by the state.
Millville
• The sale of alcohol is prohibited.
Pittsburgh
• No one is allowed to sleep on a refrigerator.
Ridley Park
• You cannot walk backwards eating peanuts in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance.
• It is considered an offense to throw pickle juice on a trolley.
 
Rhode Island
Scituate
• It is illegal to drive down any street with beer in your car, even if it is unopened.
 
South Carolina
• It is illegal to sell any alcoholic beverages on Sunday, unless you own a private club.
Greenville
• The drinking age on Furman University campus is 60 years old.
Spartanburg
• Eating watermelons in the Magnolia Street cemetery is forbidden.
 
South Dakota
• It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory.
 

Tennessee
• You can't shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile
• It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
• It is legal to gather and consume roadkill.
• It is illegal to dare a child to purchase a beer.
• Kimball Bar owners may not let patrons make loud, unusual noises.
Lexington
• By law, anyone who has been drinking is "sober" until he or she "cannot hold onto the ground.
• It is illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket.
• No one may eat ice cream on the sidewalk.
• It is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners.
• It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.

Texas
Houston
• It is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday.
• Beer may not be purchased after midnight on a Sunday, but it may be purchased on Monday.
LeFors
• It is illegal to take more than three swallows of beer while standing.
Lubbock County
It is illegal to drive within an arm's length of alcohol – including alcohol in someone else's blood stream.
• It is illegal not to drink milk.
 
Utah
• It's legal for restaurants to serve wine with meals, but only if you ask for the wine list.
• Alcohol may not be sold during an emergency.
Full text of the law.
• Individuals may not possess beer in containers larger than two liters unless they are a retailer.
 
Virginia
Virginia Beach
• If you are drunk and not driving your car, and the person who is driving the car is drunk as well, you may both receive DUI's.
 
Washington
• Destroying a beer cask or bottle of another is illegal.
• You cannot buy meat of any kind on Sunday.
Bremerton
• You may not shuck peanuts on the street.
Lynden
• Dancing and drinking may not occur at the same establishment.
 
West Virginia
• Roadkill may be taken home for supper.
 
Wisconsin
• At one time, margarine was illegal.
• As people used to smuggle it in from Illinois, all yellow butter substitute is banned.
• State Law made it illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without cheese.
• While all cheese making requires a license, Limburger cheese making requires a master cheese maker's license.
• Margarine may not be substituted for butter in restaurants unless it is requested by the customer.
 
Wyoming
• Junk dealers may not make any business transactions with drunk persons.