Makarska, Croatia bans alcohol sales in stores after 9 p.m

The coastal town of Makarska on Croatia’s Dalmatian Riviera has prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages in supermarkets and shops between 21:00 and 06:00. Restaurants and bars may continue to serve alcohol. Mayor Zoran Paunović said the measure aims to improve public order and safety for residents and visitors, noting repeated incidents of drunken disturbances during the summer season.

Makarska’s population of about 13,000 swells to roughly 340,000 tourists each summer, contributing around 20 % of Croatia’s GDP. The town hopes the ban will set a precedent; officials in Split, Hvar and Zadar have expressed interest in similar restrictions, following models already in parts of Spain and Portugal.