Virginia ABC

Virginia ABC and its more than 4,700 employees are proud to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia. As an authority working with the Secretariat of Public Safety and Homeland Security, ABC administers alcohol-related laws with an emphasis on public safety by ensuring an orderly and regulated system for convenient sales and responsible consumption of alcohol. In 2018, Virginia ABC transitioned from a traditional state government agency to an authority, an independent political subdivision, which provides more flexibility and efficiency as a retailer, wholesaler and regulator of distilled spirits.

Virginia ABC is a leading revenue producer for the commonwealth and the source of future economic growth and innovation for the state. The profits that Virginia ABC contributes—collected from distilled spirits sales at ABC stores, and taxes collected on beer and wine sales—provide much-needed funding for use in a multitude of state programs, which benefit all Virginians. Since its establishment in 1934, Virginia ABC has contributed $12 billion to the commonwealth’s general fund supporting major education, health and transportation initiatives.

As one of our nation’s 17 control states—where the state government manages the sale and distribution of distilled spirits at the wholesale level, Virginia sells distilled spirits exclusively in ABC stores operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia. These are the only retail outlets in Virginia where customers may purchase liquor.