Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod cracks down on alcohol sales with stricter venue rules
Lawmakers in the Nizhny Novgorod region are pushing for clearer legal definitions of restaurants, cafés, and bars. The move aims to stop venues from misrepresenting themselves to bypass alcohol sales restrictions. A recent regional law already banned nighttime alcohol sales at draft beer stalls and food outlets in residential zones.
The regional Legislative Assembly has thrown its support behind stricter rules. Deputies want to legally separate restaurants from cafés and bars, forcing business owners to declare their venue type when applying for licenses. This follows an earlier ban on late-night alcohol sales at razlivaik (draft beer stalls) and food service spots near homes.
Plans also include a unified database of all alcohol sales points to tighten oversight. Authorities would gain powers to conduct surprise checks on vendors selling low-alcohol cocktails without proper licenses. Local governments could then monitor sales more closely or launch administrative cases against violators.
The deputies are now drafting an appeal to State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. They seek stronger federal oversight of retail alcohol and spirits sales, though it remains unclear who first proposed the legal distinction between venue types.
If approved, the changes would require all businesses to formally register their type before obtaining an alcohol license. The new rules would also give regulators broader inspection powers and create a centralised system for tracking sales. The push comes as part of wider efforts to control alcohol distribution in residential areas.
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