The effect of a ban on late-night off-premise alcohol sales on violent crime: Evidence from Germany

•We shed new light on whether alcohol causally affects violent crime.•We analyze the effects of a ban on late-night off-premise alcohol sales.•The ban was in effect from 2010 to 2017 in the German state Baden-Württemberg.•The policy reduced late-night simple and aggravated assault.•The policy had no significant effect on late-night rape or robbery.