Can You Buy Alcohol At Costco Without A Membership?

Costco is widely regarded for providing its members with money-saving deals on various products across its warehouse ... but non-members are often left to fend for themselves. The company has even gone so far as to install scanning devices at store entrances to ensure that only dues-paying shoppers are taking advantage of the company's screaming deals. However, if shelling out an annual fee of between $65 and $130 for a Costco membership isn't on your to-do list, you may still be able to buy a bottle of Costco's iconic tequila or other alcohols. At least, that may be the case if you live in the right area.

Costco is a dominant force in the world of big-box shopping, but it isn't above the law. In certain states, it is illegal for an establishment to charge a member of the general public a fee in order for them to procure alcohol. Folks in these regions are free to buy booze wherever it is sold without forking over any extra dough for the privilege. That includes otherwise exclusive Costco locations.

In states where membership-free alcohol is the law, folks have the right to buy any adult beverage in any store without going through a paywall. These states currently include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Vermont. Some allow only for the sale of beer and wine, while other locations may also sell liquor. You may need to tell a door greeter that you're there only to buy alcohol, then tell the cashier you are not part of the club when you are ready to check out. They should scan you with a universal membership number before you pay.

Costco's Kirkland vodka and other libations aren't the only things you can catch a deal on without a membership. If you need medication prescribed by a doctor, all of the store's locations nationwide allow you to fill prescriptions without paying your dues to the warehouse. Costco Shop Cards (what the company calls its gift cards) can also be used by non-members, though only paid members can purchase the card for others.

It used to be that you could grab one of Costco's ridiculously low-priced $1.50 hot dog and soda combos from the food court without a membership, but this is sadly no longer the way it works. The company has been scaling back on possible non-member purchases in recent years, and so access to the food court has been a member-only perk since 2020. However, alcohol laws still stand, so people in 14 states can still grab a six-pack from Costco anytime they like.