COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. — One of New Jersey’s last remaining dry towns has officially decided to pour a new round of economic possibilities.
In a historic ballot measure this November, voters in Collingswood successfully chose to overturn a century-old ban on alcohol sales, closing the book on an era of prohibition that has defined the borough since it was first incorporated in 1888.
As highlighted in a recent report by PhillyBite Magazine, the unofficial election results signify a massive cultural and economic shift for the South Jersey community.
For more than 100 years, Collingswood has prohibited all on-premises liquor sales, enforcing a strict ordinance rooted deeply in the town’s Quaker heritage. While the borough has earned widespread culinary acclaim for its thriving “Bring Your Own Bottle” (BYOB) restaurant scene—unlike other famous dry towns such as Ocean City that ban BYOB entirely—the sale of alcohol within borough limits has always been strictly forbidden.
The successful push to end the ban was largely spearheaded by a grassroots community campaign known as “Booze on the Ballot.” Campaign organizers argued that allowing regulated alcohol sales would provide a critical economic boost, giving the downtown business corridor the tools to thrive and remain competitive against neighboring municipalities.
With the ballot measure passed, Collingswood is now eligible under strict state population limits to issue up to four liquor licenses: three retail consumption licenses (for bars or restaurants) and one distribution license (for a liquor store).
However, locals shouldn’t expect full-service bars to pop up overnight. The borough’s Board of Commissioners must now navigate the complex and potentially lengthy process of deciding exactly how these highly coveted, six-figure licenses will be auctioned or issued.
To ease the minds of locals who cherish the current dining culture, Collingswood Mayor Daniela Solano-Ward has publicly assured residents that the town’s beloved BYOB restaurants aren’t going anywhere, even as new liquor licenses are eventually introduced.
This historic vote follows closely in the footsteps of nearby Haddon Heights, which successfully ended its own 120-year de facto liquor ban back in 2024.
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