Buying Beer In Concordia, Kansas: Sunday Laws Explained

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and its alcohol regulations have changed several times in the last few years. So, can you buy beer on a Sunday in Concordia, Kansas?

Beer can be purchased on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m

If you're looking to buy beer in Concordia, Kansas, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and it was the first state to constitutionally prohibit alcohol, which lasted from 1881 to 1948. While there are no longer any dry states in the US, Kansas still has one dry county where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited.

With that in mind, here's what you need to know about buying beer in Concordia, Kansas, on a Sunday:

Buying Beer on Sundays in Kansas:

Buying Beer in Concordia, Kansas:

Concordia is located in Cloud County, which is not listed as a dry county. Therefore, you can purchase beer in Concordia. However, it's important to note that the specific rules and regulations may vary based on the city and county. For example, some counties require that 30% of a business's sales come from food in order to sell alcohol.

Kansas' Alcohol Laws:

Kansas has strict laws regarding the purchasing of alcohol. Alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Retailers can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., and local counties that sell alcohol on Sundays must stop sales by 8 p.m.

Where to Buy Beer in Kansas:

Beer can be purchased at various locations throughout the state, including bars and restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and breweries or taprooms. However, the specific location will depend on the county's licensing requirements. For example, Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) retailers are licensed by the city or county, so they may not sell beer in certain counties.

ABV Restrictions:

It's important to note that there are ABV restrictions on the beer that can be sold in certain locations. Gas stations and grocery stores can only sell beer with an ABV of 6% or lower.

So, if you're looking to buy beer in Concordia, Kansas, on a Sunday, you can do so between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. at off-premise locations, or from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. at on-premise locations. Just be sure to check the specific rules and regulations for Cloud County and the city of Concordia.

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. In addition, alcohol sales are not permitted on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day unless the local government has voted to allow Sunday sales. In counties where Sunday sales are allowed, alcohol sales are prohibited only on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and Thanksgiving.

The sale of alcohol is only permitted during certain hours on permitted days. Alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverage (CMB) sales are allowed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays. In counties that allow Sunday alcohol sales, the sale of alcohol is permitted from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from the manufacturer to the distributor to the retailer. Off-premises liquor sales are restricted to licensed liquor stores, while grocery stores and gas stations may sell CMB.

Kansas has a total of 105 counties, which are divided into three categories: 30% food sales requirement, no food sales requirement, and no alcohol by the drink. Three of these counties—Wallace, Stanton, and Haskell—are completely dry, meaning that no alcohol can be purchased there. The remaining counties have varying regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.

The legal drinking age in Kansas is 21, and there are strict laws regarding drinking and driving. The maximum blood alcohol level for driving is %.08% for those over 21 and .02% for minors.

Beer can be sold in grocery stores, but not hard liquor

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

Kansas's strict approach to alcohol regulation is a result of its history with the temperance movement. The state was a national centre of the movement, and many factors, including the association of saloons with men only, led to a perception of alcohol as divisive to family life.

The state has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. The only exceptions are farm wineries and microbreweries, which can sell directly to the consumer.

Kansas law divides alcohol into six categories, each with different regulations. "Alcoholic liquor" includes spirits, wine, and beer containing over 3.2% alcohol by weight. A "cereal malt beverage" (CMB) is beer containing less than 3.2% alcohol by weight. A "nonalcoholic malt beverage" contains less than 0.5% alcohol by weight. "Domestic table wine" is wine containing 14% or less alcohol by volume, made by Kansas farm wineries from Kansas-grown products. "Domestic fortified wine" is wine containing between 14% and 20% alcohol by volume, also made in Kansas. "Domestic beer" is beer containing 8% or less alcohol by weight, made by microbreweries from Kansas-grown agricultural products.

Off-premise beer sales can be made Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm. On-premise beer sales can be made from 9 am to 2 am any day.

Gas stations can sell beer, but it must be under 6% ABV

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. While it is not a dry state, it does have dry counties where alcohol cannot be purchased. In the rest of the state, alcohol can be purchased at licensed, off-premise locations from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On-premise locations can sell beer any day from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Kansas had statewide prohibition from 1881 to 1948, longer than any other state, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Kansas's strict and highly regulated approach to alcohol stems from lingering vestiges of its long era of prohibition.

The alcohol laws in Kansas are enforced by the Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Alcohol sales are allowed in bars and restaurants that derive 30% of gross sales from food

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long era of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continuing to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

In 2019, Kansas made changes to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell "full-strength" beer, with up to 6% alcohol. In 2021, a bill was signed allowing the sale of beer and alcohol from 9 am on Sundays, which had previously been prohibited until noon.

In 2023, 3 of Kansas' 105 counties—Wallace, Stanton, and Haskell—were completely dry, meaning no alcohol could be purchased. Sixty-three counties required 30% food sales with the purchase of alcohol, and the remaining 39 did not require an accompanying food purchase.

The days and hours that alcohol can be sold vary depending on the type of establishment and the jurisdiction. Retail liquor stores can sell alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages (CMB) from 9 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. No sales are allowed on Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Counties that allow Sunday sales can sell alcohol from 9 am to 8 pm.

Drinking establishments, including bars and restaurants, can sell alcohol from 9 am to 2 am any day, as long as they have the correct license and meet the 30% food sales requirement.

CMB off-premises retailers can sell alcohol during the same hours as retail liquor stores, while CMB on-premises retailers must meet the 30% food sales requirement and be authorized by the city or county.

Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. There are some exceptions, such as farm wineries and microbreweries, which can sell directly to consumers.

Frequently asked questions