Two related issues in public policy with respect to alcohol are how increased availability influences consumption and what effect excess consumption has on individual health outcomes. This paper examines one particular source of variation in availability, bar opening hours, and how this influences alcohol consumption, physical and mental health. We focus on the extension of opening hours in England and Wales that occurred in 2005. We demonstrate a marked increase in consumption, which appears to be concentrated in heavy drinking. This increase in consumption is subsequently demonstrated to lead to deterioration in both individual physical and mental health outcomes. This has important policy implications for the regulation of alcohol availability.