Buying Beer On Sundays In Hillsborough County: What's Allowed?

In Tampa, Florida, packaged alcoholic beverages may be sold between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sundays. Alcoholic beverages may be served in bars and restaurants between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sundays as well. However, in unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, you cannot buy alcohol before 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Alcohol sales in Tampa, Florida

Alcohol sales laws in Tampa, Florida, can be confusing, with different rules for different business types and days of the week. Here is a detailed overview:

Hours of Sale for Liquor Stores, Gas Stations, and Supermarkets:

In Tampa, Florida, packaged alcoholic beverages may be sold between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sundays. During the week, from Monday to Saturday, sales are permitted from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Hours of Sale for Bars and Restaurants:

Alcoholic beverages can be served in bars and restaurants in Tampa from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Sundays. On weekdays, the permitted hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. However, there is an exception for Tampa International Airport, where alcoholic beverages may be served from 7:00 a.m. on Sundays, accommodating travellers crossing time zones.

Historical Context:

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Tampa have evolved over time. In 2003, a revised "blue law" was enacted, allowing earlier alcohol sales on Sundays. Prior to this change, alcohol sales were prohibited before 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. The 2003 revision moved this to 11:00 a.m., aligning with the laws in other parts of Florida.

County-Specific Regulations:

It is important to note that alcohol sales regulations can vary by county within Florida. For example, in Miami-Dade County, liquor stores are allowed to operate 24 hours a day. In contrast, Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, still has "blue laws" in place, prohibiting alcohol sales before 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Future Changes:

There have been discussions and efforts to further modify alcohol sales laws in Hillsborough County. Some residents have expressed frustration with the current laws, advocating for earlier Sunday sales, particularly for brunch. However, as of October 2024, the 11:00 a.m. restriction remains in place for most of the county, excluding the City of Tampa, where sales are permitted earlier on Sundays.

Alcohol sales in St. Petersburg, Florida

Alcohol sales laws in St. Petersburg, Florida, have been subject to change in recent years, with local officials seeking to update the city's Blue Laws, which dictate the hours when alcohol sales are permitted.

Alcohol Sales in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County

St. Petersburg is located in Pinellas County, Florida. The alcohol laws in the unincorporated areas of Pinellas County state that packaged alcoholic beverages can be sold between 11:00 a.m. and midnight from Sunday to Saturday. For bars and restaurants, the hours are extended by three hours, with alcohol sales permitted from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. daily.

Revised Blue Laws

In March 2024, the Pinellas County Commission passed an ordinance revising the area's Blue Laws. This change was driven by St. Petersburg Mayor Kriseman and the council of mayors. The new ordinance prohibits liquor sales only between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., allowing businesses and grocery stores to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings. This decision aligns St. Petersburg with other cities like Sarasota and Lakeland, which had previously repealed their Blue Laws.

Alcohol Sales Hours in St. Petersburg

With the recent changes to the Blue Laws, the hours for alcohol sales in St. Petersburg, Florida, are as follows:

• Liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets: Alcoholic beverages in packaged form can be sold from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Sundays and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday.
• Bars and restaurants: Alcoholic beverages can be served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Sundays and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday.

These laws apply specifically to St. Petersburg within Pinellas County, and it's important to note that alcohol sales laws can vary between different cities and counties in Florida.

Alcohol sales in unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County

Alcohol sales laws can be complicated in the United States, and this is no different in Hillsborough County, Florida. In this case, we are focusing on the unincorporated areas of the county.

In unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, you cannot buy alcohol before 11 am on Sundays. This is known as a "blue law", a rule prohibiting certain activities (like drinking) on Sundays. This is in contrast to the City of Tampa, which is within Hillsborough County, where alcohol sales are permitted from 11 am to 3 am on Sundays.

The laws can vary depending on the type of business and the type of alcohol. For example, in Tampa, alcoholic beverages may be served in bars and restaurants from 11 am to 3 am on Sundays, but packaged alcoholic beverages may be sold in liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets from 7 am to 3 am. Additionally, Tampa International Airport is allowed to serve alcohol from 7 am on Sundays.

It is important to note that these laws can change, so it is always a good idea to check the most up-to-date information. Additionally, there may be exceptions to the rules, such as for hotels, motels, and convenience stores.

Alcohol sales in the City of Tampa

Alcohol sales laws in the City of Tampa, Florida, can be tricky to navigate. Here is a detailed overview:

In Tampa, Florida, the sale of alcohol is regulated by specific laws and ordinances. As of 2003, Tampa bars and stores are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays, a change from the previous ordinance that prohibited sales before 1 p.m. This change was implemented by Mayor Pam Iorio and the City Council, who unanimously agreed to allow earlier alcohol sales, benefiting bar and restaurant owners, as well as patrons, especially during football season.

The current law permits the sale of packaged alcoholic beverages in liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Sundays and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. from Monday through Saturday. Alcoholic beverages can be served in bars and restaurants during the same hours, with an exception for Tampa International Airport, where alcohol sales are permitted in the passenger terminal starting at 7 a.m. on Sundays.

It is worth noting that these laws can change, and local jurisdictions may have additional restrictions. For example, while the City of Tampa allows alcohol sales before 11 a.m. on Sundays, unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County still prohibit such sales before that time. Additionally, some establishments, like Publix, may have their own policies that align with county rules despite the change in city laws.

Blue Laws

The laws regulating alcohol sales, especially on Sundays, are often referred to as "blue laws." These laws are historically rooted in religious beliefs, aiming to restrict certain activities on Sundays to promote church attendance. While some states and counties have moved away from these laws, others still have them in place, impacting the sale of alcohol on Sundays.

Other Florida Counties

Florida counties have varying alcohol sales regulations. For instance, Miami-Dade County allows liquor stores to operate 24/7, while other counties, like Pinellas, have made changes to their blue laws, allowing earlier alcohol sales on Sundays to align with modern social norms.

Alcohol sales in Hillsborough County vs. Pinellas County

Alcohol sales laws in Florida are decided at the county level, and they vary from county to county.

In Hillsborough County, alcohol sales on Sundays were previously prohibited until 1 pm. In 2003, this was changed to 11 am, and in 2024, the prohibition was repealed entirely, with Tampa City Council allowing alcohol sales from 7 am onwards, seven days a week. However, some businesses in the county still choose to abide by the previous rule, refusing to sell alcohol before 11 am on Sundays.

In Pinellas County, the laws are more varied, with different rules for different cities. In St. Petersburg, alcohol sales are prohibited before 8 am on Sundays. In Dunedin, there are restrictions on alcohol sales after a certain time on Saturday night, whereas nearby Clearwater does not have these restrictions.

In both Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, there are exceptions to the rules for hotels, motels, restaurants, and convenience stores.

Frequently asked questions