Objective To determine the effects of alcohol on the invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer. Methods In an in vitro study, gastric cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of alcohol. The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2/7/9/13, Cyclin D and PCNA were determined by West blot. The transcription levels of MMP2/7/9/13 were determined by qRT-PCR. An MMPs inhibitor (GM6001) was used to analyze the role of MMPs in the invasion of gastric cancer cells. In an in vivo experiment, the effects of alcohol on the proliferation of gastric cancer was analyzed in a heterotopic transplantation animal tumor model. Results The protein levels of MMP2/7/9/13 were increased in gastric cancer cells (AGS and HGC-27) compared with normal gastric epithelial cells (GES). Alcohol treatment resulted in further elevation of the MMPs expression in the cancer cells and promoted the invasion of the gastric cancer cells. GM6001 inhibited these effects. In addition, alcohol treatment promoted the expression of Cyclin D and PCNA in cancer cells and gastric tumor proliferation in the animal model. Conclusion Alcohol consumption promoted the invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer. Confirmation should be obtained in further studies in additional models.