The sale of alcohol in Britain is strictly controlled by licensing laws. These restrict where, when and by whom alcohol may be sold. In order to open a pub or wine bar the owner must obtain the approval of the local magistrates who must be satisfied that he or she is a suitable person to sell alcohol. If the application is approved the owner obtains a license to sell alcohol and becomes the license. The name of the licensee is displayed above the front door. If magistrates are not happy with the way a pub is being run they can cancel the license. The name of the licensee is displayed above the front door. If magistrates are not happy with the way a pub is being run they can cancel the license.
　　Many pubs are licensed to sell alcohol for drinking on or off the premises. However, most people buy alcohol for drinking at home in a supermarket or an off-license. Shops and supermarket have to get a license, called on off-license before they can sell alcohol. Nobody under 18 is allowed to buy alcohol, either in a pub or in shop.
　　Pubs are only allowed to sell alcohol during official opening hours. They are allowed to remain open all day from 11a.m. to 11p.m. though many close in the afternoon. If they wish to stay open after 11p.m., they must obtain a special late license pubs open for a shorter time on Sundays, and in some parts of Wales they are closed altogether.
　　In the US, there are local laws about when and where alcohol can be sold. Some towns are dry, i.e., no alcohol can be sold there at all. In general, restaurants and bars need a license to sell beer and wine. In some states alcohol for drinking at home is sold only in special liquor stores; in other places it is sold in any food shop. There are fewer restrictions on when alcohol can be sold than there are in Britain, and bars can stay open very late. The most common restriction is that alcohol may not be sold early on Sunday mornings.
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　　在英国经营酒是受酒类专卖法严格控制的。在哪卖，什么时间卖，由谁卖，都有严格的规定。想要开酒吧或是葡萄酒吧，老板必须要得到地方官员的同意，而地方官员要觉得这个人合适才会同意他/她经营酒类。如果申请批准了，老板拿到营业执照并成为执照持有人，他的名字就会被贴在正门上。一旦地方官员不满意此人的经营方式，他就会被吊销执照。
　　在很多有执照的酒吧，客人可以在店里喝酒也可以买酒带走。但是，很多人在超市或者卖酒执照的商店买酒回家去喝。商店和超市都必须拿到营业执照，在准许卖酒之前他们要申请卖酒经营执照。不管是在酒吧还是在商店，18岁以下的人都不准买酒。
　　酒吧只能在官方规定的营业时间卖酒，可以从上午11点开到晚上11点，但是很多酒吧在下午就关门了。如果想到在晚上11点仍然营业的话就需要一个特殊的夜间营业执照。酒吧在礼拜天的营业时间一般很短，在威尔士的一些地方，酒吧在礼拜天不营业。
　　在美国，卖酒的时间和地点也受地方法律的限制。一些城镇根本不允许卖酒。通常情况下，餐馆和酒吧需要有执照才可以卖啤酒和葡萄酒。在有些州，家里喝的酒只能在酒类专卖店才能买得到;而在其他地方，任何食品商店里都可以买得到酒。美国酒类经营店的营业时间比起英国要宽松的多，酒吧也可以营业到很晚。两国最相近的规定是都不可以在礼拜天早上卖酒。