Does Uber Eats Deliver Alcohol?

While it might surprise some people to find out, it is possible to order alcohol and have it delivered through the Uber Eats app.

This alcohol can be from the same places that you order food from or from local area convenience and liquor stores.

The main thing to remember about this service is that alcohol delivery can only go to a residence.

It isn’t possible to have alcohol delivered to a business or public place.

This rule is due to Uber’s policies to prevent things like public intoxication and alcohol abuse.

What Types of Alcohol Can You Have Delivered?

Uber Eats doesn’t discriminate overly much on the types of alcohol the delivery driver can bring to your home.

As long as the alcoholic drinks are available from the liquor store or restaurant, you can have the following alcoholic beverages delivered:

Beer
Wine
Liquor and spirits
Cocktails and mixed drinks
Other alcoholic beverages

Where Is Uber Eats Alcohol Delivery Available?

Uber Eats has an alcohol delivery service option in most states.

However, there are some states where the sale of alcohol through the app is prohibited:

Alabama
Delaware
Kentucky
Mississippi
Rhode Island
Utah

Each of the states has its own reason for denying the sale of alcohol through the app.

Still, the fact of the matter is that if you live in any of the states, you will not be able to order alcohol online.

How Uber Eats Alcohol Delivery Works

If you live in an area where Uber Eats delivers alcohol, the process will be similar to having food delivered.

However, because of the unique rules surrounding the sale of alcohol, you should expect some differences.

Here’s what those differences are and how they affect the delivery process.

The Alcohol Delivery Process

When ordering alcohol on Uber Eats, you will go into the alcohol section of the food options and browse from local alcohol stores to purchase your booze.

This process will look similar to the standard food ordering process.

However, the difference will be seen during delivery.

Your Uber Eats delivery driver will not be able to leave an order containing alcohol outside or unattended.

The driver has to check your ID before handing the alcohol off to you.

Does Uber Eats Check ID for Alcohol?

Uber Eats ID for alcohol when delivering the beverage.

The delivery driver will have an ID checker in their driver app.

You will have to present one of the following options to the Uber driver to receive your alcohol:

A United States driver’s license
A US or international passport
A US military ID
A US state or other government ID

Each of the above ID options will need to have your name and age visible.

These IDs will also need to have a photo of you that matches your physique.

If your ID is rejected for any reason, the driver will return the alcohol to the place you purchased it from on your behalf.

Outside of your ID, you will also have to display as sober or someone who is not in danger of alcohol harm.

The driver will be on the lookout for signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, balance issues, and so forth.

Pro Tip: If you’re in the armed forces, make sure to take advantage of the Uber military discount offered by the rideshare giant.

Can Uber Pick Up and Deliver Cigarettes?

As of right now, Uber does not have any delivery services to deliver tobacco products.

This lack of service also extends into cigarettes.

Only a select few rideshare delivery services offer tobacco delivery.

Even then, not all convenience stores or tobacco sellers allow the sale of their tobacco products through these apps.

These delivery companies have to follow the rules set out by the retailers.

Read More: Cigarette delivery options

Why Does Uber Eats Say “Alcohol Unavailable?”

Using delivery apps isn’t always perfect.

Sometimes, you’ll have messages like this show up when trying to place your order.

Two possibilities could be happening when you get this error message:

You’re in an area that doesn’t do alcohol deliveries
You have an application error

Whenever ordering alcohol from Uber, you’ll need to check and ensure that the area you’re in allows for alcohol delivery.

Some states have outright banned the delivery of alcohol.

Rules can also change from county to county or city to city.

If you’re not in an area that bans alcohol delivery, you might be having an application or connection issue.

Resetting the app and your mobile device will clear out any memory or cash issues that you’re having.

Once you reset the device, try placing the order again.

If resetting the device doesn’t work, you can always contact Uber’s customer support to see if they can help you find the issue.

Other Delivery Apps That Deliver Alcohol

Uber isn’t the only option forward to having your alcohol delivered to your home.

Here are some of the other services out there that offer alcohol delivery.

1. DoorDash

Only recently did DoorDash start offering alcohol delivery.

In September 2021, the service announced that it would be allowing users to order alcohol for delivery.

This service uses many of the same restrictions and guidelines that Uber does.

Also, the two services have comparable delivery fees, usually a couple of dollars on top of the price of the alcohol.

2. Saucey

Unlike Uber Eats, Saucey is an alcohol delivery service only.

The service pairs with convenience stores, grocery stores, and other places that sell alcohol to your front door.

Unlike Uber and DoorDash, Saucey isn’t widely available.

They have a list of cities where the app offers its services on their website.

So, unless you live in one of these major cities, you won’t be able to use this service for your deliveries.

3. Drizly

The alcohol delivery startup Drizly is an alcohol delivery service that operates in 1,500 cities across 30 states.

In addition to delivering alcoholic drinks, the service also lets you buy mix-ins, bitters, syrups, and other alcohol accessories from liquor stores.

In February 2021, Uber announced that it was acquiring Drizly.

So far, the service has remained separate, but it’s not clear right now if Uber will absorb Drizly entirely or continue to let it operate under its own brand.

What Is Different From These Company’s Deliveries and Those of Uber Eats?

The main difference between Uber Eats and these other companies comes down to Uber’s selection and reach.

Uber Eats offers more options and a broader user reach than alcohol delivery services like Saucey and Drizly.

In addition to alcohol, you can order food from other locations, unlike with Saucey and Drizly.

Also, Uber Eats has a narrower range of delivery fees than DoorDash does.

A DoorDash delivery fee can run between $0.99 and $7.99, while Uber Eats charges between $2 and $5.

So, while DoorDash deliveries can be cheaper, they can also be more expensive than an Uber Eats delivery.

Wrapping Up

Uber Eats has been working towards becoming an alcohol delivery service in addition to its normal operations.

While this is a recent change, it has allowed people already using Uber Eats to expand their options when ordering in.

If you live in an area where alcohol delivery services run, then Uber Eats is now one of the options you can consider.