<P> State law requires that bars be closed between 2: 00 a.m. and 6: 00 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 2: 30 a.m. and 6: 00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday . Exceptions are made on New Year's Eve, when no closing is required, and for changes in Daylight Saving Time . State law does not permit municipalities to further restrict when bars must be closed . Municipalities may elect, however, to prohibit the issuance of liquor licenses, making the municipality effectively dry . </P> <P> The drinking age in Wisconsin is 21 . Those under the legal drinking age may be served, possess, or consume alcohol if they are with a parent, legal guardian, or spouse who is of legal drinking age . Those age 18 to 20 may also possess (but not consume) alcohol as part of their employment . </P> <P> The 1983 Wisconsin Act 74, effective July 1, 1984, created a drinking age of 19 . Meeting in special session at the call of the governor, the legislature enacted 1985 Wisconsin Act 337, which raised the drinking age to 21 and brought the state into compliance with the NMDA (National Minimum Drinking Age) on September 1, 1986 . </P> <P> The NMDA law was amended to permit an exception for those persons who were between ages 18 and 21 on the effective date of the law . Wisconsin 19 - and 20 - year - olds were "grandfathered in" by this exception after enactment of Act 337 . In effect, the state did not have a uniform age of 21 until September 1, 1988 . </P>

When did the drinking age change to 19 in wisconsin