Buying Beer In Henderson, Kentucky: Sunday Shopping Laws

Kentucky has some of the most complicated alcohol laws in the US. While the state is not dry, it allows localities to decide their alcohol status, meaning there are several dry counties. The alcohol laws of Kentucky have been described as a maze of obscure statutory language and confusing at best. In 2012, a task force was appointed to attempt to streamline the state's alcohol laws. In 2023, Kentucky allowed localities to set Sunday sale hours, which could be the same as the rest of the week or more restrictive. In the city of Henderson, a new local ordinance took effect on 28 January 2018, allowing package beer, wine, and liquor outlets to sell carryout alcohol from 10 am on Sundays.

Beer can be bought in Henderson, Kentucky, on Sundays from 10 am

If you're in Henderson, Kentucky, and you're looking to buy beer on a Sunday, you're in luck! Beer can be purchased in the city from 10 am onwards. This applies to package beer, wine, and liquor outlets, including liquor, grocery, convenience, and drug stores.

This change in the law came into effect on Sunday, January 28, marking the first time that alcohol was legally sold on Sundays in Henderson. Prior to this, the sale of alcohol on Sundays was prohibited in the city. The new regulations were approved by the Henderson City Commission, which removed the previous restrictions that only allowed restaurants to use a state-issued Sunday alcohol serving permit if they made 50% or more of their revenue from food sales and had seating for at least 50 people.

It's worth noting that Kentucky has some of the most complex state alcohol laws in the country, and the regulations can vary from county to county. While Kentucky is not a dry state, it does allow localities to decide their status, resulting in several dry counties and some "moist" counties, which occupy a middle ground between dry and wet. The state also has over 70 different types of licenses related to alcohol sales, adding to the complexity.

So, if you're in Henderson, Kentucky, and craving a beer on a Sunday, you can head to the store from 10 am to stock up. Just remember to drink responsibly and follow the local laws!

The law changed in January 2018

Prior to these changes, the previous local regulations only allowed restaurants to use a state-issued Sunday alcohol-serving permit if they made at least 50% of their revenue from food sales and had seating for a minimum of 50 people. The new law meant that package beer, wine, and liquor outlets such as liquor, grocery, convenience, and drug stores could begin legally selling carryout alcohol on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the city of Henderson.

The law change was well-received by Scott Willett, a partner in three alcohol outlets inside the city of Henderson, who stated that it would be a "big plus" for his stores, which had remained open via drive-thru on Sundays to sell cigarettes and soft drinks. The new law would allow them to sell alcohol with their existing staff, and he expected that people would be more likely to wait until Sunday to stock up for gatherings rather than buying in advance on Saturdays.

The specific details of alcohol sales laws in Kentucky can vary by locality, and there are several "dry" counties that prohibit the sale of alcohol entirely. However, the law change in Henderson in January 2018 allowed for more relaxed regulations around alcohol sales on Sundays, bringing the city in line with other parts of the state that permitted Sunday sales.

Kentucky has some of the most confusing alcohol laws in the US

One of the most notable quirks of Kentucky's alcohol laws is the distinction between "dry", "wet", and "moist" counties. Dry counties prohibit all sales of alcoholic beverages, while wet counties permit full retail sales under state licenses. Moist counties, on the other hand, occupy a middle ground, allowing alcohol sales in certain cities within a dry county. This has led to a patchwork of regulations across the state, with some cities being wet while located in dry counties.

Adding to the confusion, the hours for alcohol sales vary by locality. While alcohol retailers can sell between 6 am and midnight from Monday to Saturday, Sunday sale hours are determined by each locality and may be prohibited or follow the same hours as the rest of the week. For example, Louisville allows alcohol sales from 1 pm to 11:59 pm on Sundays without a supplemental license.

The regulations also differ based on the type of establishment selling alcohol. Bars and restaurants can sell alcohol from 6 am to midnight, or until 4 am with a supplemental license, from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, they can sell alcohol from 1 pm to midnight. Package and liquor stores have similar hours, but they can't sell alcohol for on-premise consumption. Breweries and taprooms can sell alcohol during the same hours as bars and restaurants, and they can also sell and fill growlers for off-premise consumption.

Another inconsistency in Kentucky's alcohol laws is the difference between the legal ages for buying and selling alcoholic beverages. The legal age for purchase is 21, as in all US states. However, the legal age for selling or serving alcohol in a licensed establishment is 20.

The complexities of Kentucky's alcohol laws have been acknowledged by the state government, with a task force appointed in 2012 to streamline the regulations. Despite this, the laws remain confusing, and it can be challenging for individuals to navigate the various restrictions and requirements when purchasing or consuming alcohol in the state.

Alcohol can be sold in Kentucky from 6 am to midnight, Monday to Saturday

Alcohol laws in Kentucky are complex and can vary by location. However, in general, alcohol retailers across the state can sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday.

On Sundays, the hours for alcohol sales are determined by each locality and may be prohibited or remain the same as the rest of the week. For example, in Louisville, alcohol sales are permitted from 1 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sundays without a supplemental license. In Henderson, a recent change in regulations allows alcohol sales from 10 a.m. onwards on Sundays.

It's worth noting that Kentucky is not a dry state, but it does allow localities to decide their status, resulting in a mix of dry, wet, and "moist" counties. Dry counties prohibit all alcohol sales, while wet counties permit full retail sales under state licenses. Moist counties occupy a middle ground, often referring to otherwise dry counties with specific cities that have voted to allow alcohol sales for off-premises consumption.

Additionally, there are different licenses and regulations for various types of alcohol retailers, including bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. These retailers must follow specific rules regarding the types of alcohol they can sell, the hours of sale, and whether alcohol can be consumed on-site or off-site.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Kentucky can be intricate, and it's always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations for the specific area you are in.

Sunday sales are determined by each locality

Kentucky is not a dry state, but it does allow localities to decide their alcohol sales status. This means that the sale of alcohol on Sundays is determined by each locality and may be prohibited or the same as Monday to Saturday.

In 2023, the Henderson City Commission approved new regulations governing the sale of alcohol on Sundays. The changes meant that Sunday sales could begin at 10 a.m., and there was no requirement for a minimum number of seats or a percentage of food sales for an establishment to be eligible for a special license to serve alcohol on Sundays. This change allowed package sales of beer, wine, and spirits in outlets such as liquor, grocery, convenience, and drug stores.

In Kentucky, the sale of alcohol is restricted to specific hours during the week. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol retailers can sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and midnight. On Sundays, the hours vary depending on the locality. For example, in Louisville, the off-premise and on-premise retail hours for alcohol sales are from 1 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. without a supplemental license.

The state of Kentucky has over 70 different types of licenses for alcohol sales, and the laws can be confusing and convoluted. The counties in Kentucky are classified as "wet", "dry", "moist", or dry with special provisions. "Dry" counties prohibit all sales of alcoholic beverages, while "wet" counties allow sales of alcohol for on-site or off-site consumption in at least some areas outside of an incorporated city. "Moist" counties occupy a middle ground, where one or more specific cities have voted to allow alcohol sales for off-premises consumption.

Frequently asked questions