The expert spoke about the new restrictions on the sale of alcohol in yards near Moscow

Restrictions on the sale of alcohol in public catering establishments located in the courtyards of apartment buildings are being introduced in the Moscow region. From March 1, 2026, such outlets will be able to sell alcohol only from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to a decision taken at a meeting of the Moscow City Duma. It will be extremely difficult to challenge this decision, although formal legal mechanisms exist for this. Ekaterina Kosareva, managing partner of the analytical agency VMT Consult, told Izvestia about this on November 20.

According to her, entrepreneurs can apply to the prosecutor's office with a request to verify the compliance of the regional act with federal legislation or file a lawsuit with the Moscow Regional Court, citing the disproportionality of the restriction. However, the chances of success are low, since the subjects of the Federation have broad powers in regulating alcohol trafficking.

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The expert warned that attempts to circumvent the ban are fraught with serious risks. A fictitious change in the nature of an object, for example, the creation of a second entrance from the street, may be regarded by regulatory authorities as a violation.

"In case of detection of such schemes, owners face fines, license suspension and unscheduled inspections. Even the re—registration of premises for a different type of activity does not guarantee protection if the sale of alcohol actually continues," the specialist warned.

Kosareva recommends that entrepreneurs use the remaining time until March 2026 to adapt their business. It is necessary to audit the documents, assess the possibility of moving the entrance group to the street, taking into account urban planning standards, or consider changing the concept of the institution. Although collecting documents for a potential appeal against the decision may be useful, the expert advises to take the new norm as a given and focus on adjusting the business model in accordance with the new realities.

On October 22, the head of the Altai Republic, Andrei Turchak, announced that the sale of alcohol and tobacco in the republic would be restricted from March 1, 2026. So, on weekdays, the hours allowed for purchase will decrease from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Fridays — to 4 p.m., on Saturdays — to 2 p.m. The governor also noted that on Sundays and on holidays in shops located in apartment buildings and near educational institutions, the sale of alcohol falls under a complete ban.

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