Buying Beer After Noon In Texas: What's The Law?

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, and these vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. Beer and wine can be purchased from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Sundays, the sale of beer and wine is prohibited before 10:00 a.m. and can be purchased until midnight. Liquor has more stringent regulations and is not available for purchase on Sundays. Liquor stores are closed, and liquor sales are only permitted from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

Beer and wine can be purchased from 10 a.m. on Sundays

Texas has updated its laws regarding the purchase times for beer and wine on Sundays. Beer and wine can now be purchased from 10 a.m. on Sundays, rather than having to wait until noon. This change provides greater flexibility for those wanting to buy alcoholic drinks on a Sunday.

This law only applies to beer and wine, and only in grocery and convenience stores. Liquor stores are not allowed to open on Sundays, and liquor can only be purchased in bars and restaurants after 12 p.m. on Sundays, or from 10 a.m. if you are also consuming food.

The hours for buying beer and wine in Texas are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to midnight
• Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Sunday morning)
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to midnight

It is important to note that these are the standard hours for beer and wine sales, but there may be some variations depending on the specific county or municipality. For example, in certain bars or restaurants with a "late hours" permit, alcohol can be served until 2 a.m. any day of the week.

Additionally, there are restrictions on the sale of high-alcohol content wine on Sundays. A wine-only package store with a beer license is not permitted to sell wine containing more than 17% alcohol by volume on Sundays or after 10 p.m. on any day.

These laws are regulated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), which enforces specific regulations to control the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state. Texas has strict liquor laws, and liquor sales are only allowed during specific hours and in certain locations.

Liquor stores are closed on Sundays

Texas has some interesting liquor laws. If you're planning on buying liquor in Texas, it's important to know that liquor stores are closed on Sundays. This is a state law, and liquor stores must also remain closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the stores will be closed the following Monday.

So, if you're looking to buy liquor on a Sunday, you're out of luck with liquor stores. However, there are a few other options to get your hands on some alcoholic beverages. Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. Wineries are also allowed to serve alcohol from 10 am to midnight on Sundays.

If you're looking to get served alcohol at a bar or restaurant on a Sunday, the rules are a little different. Alcohol can be served from noon to midnight, but if you're ordering food as well, you can be served as early as 10 am.

It's worth noting that Texas has complicated alcohol laws that have evolved over time to meet the needs of its residents. These laws are regulated at multiple levels and can be challenging to navigate, but it's essential to follow them to avoid any legal trouble.

Alcohol sales hours vary depending on the type of establishment

On-Premise Establishments (Bars and Restaurants)

Bars and restaurants with an on-premise license or permit can serve alcohol from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and from noon to midnight on Sunday. If food is served, alcohol service can begin at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Certain bars and restaurants with a "late hours" permit can serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any day of the week. Hotel bars can serve hotel guests at any time of the day.

Off-Premise Establishments (Convenience and Grocery Stores)

Grocery and convenience stores with an off-premise beer/wine license or permit can sell beer and wine from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Package/Liquor Stores

Package or liquor stores are only permitted to sell liquor from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, they must remain closed the following Monday.

Wineries

Wineries can serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Special Cases

During live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts, alcohol can be sold from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays, regardless of whether food is served.

Additionally, Texas has specific laws regarding the sale of alcohol with different ABV (alcohol by volume) levels. For example, a wine-only package store with a beer license cannot sell wine containing more than 17% ABV on Sundays or after 10 p.m. on any day.

It's important to note that these laws are subject to change, and Texas has been updating its alcohol regulations, including expanding Sunday sales hours in 2021.

Alcohol sales are prohibited after 2 a.m. at drinking establishments

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, and these vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. Alcohol sales are prohibited after 2 a.m. at drinking establishments, including venues, bars, and clubs.

From Monday to Friday, alcohol sales are permitted from 7 a.m. until midnight. On Saturdays, alcohol can be sold from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Sundays, alcohol sales are allowed from 10 a.m. until midnight.

These laws apply to establishments with an on-premise license or permit, such as bars and restaurants. For off-premise consumption, such as in convenience stores or grocery stores, the same hours apply, except that alcohol sales can begin at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Liquor stores, also known as package stores, have different hours. They are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and are closed on Sundays.

It's important to note that Texas has specific regulations for liquor sales. Liquor can only be purchased from licensed liquor stores and is not available for sale in grocery or convenience stores. Additionally, liquor sales are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Wineries have slightly different hours as well. They can serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

During live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts, alcohol service can begin as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays, regardless of whether food is served.

Certain bars or restaurants in Texas can obtain a "late hours" permit, allowing them to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any night of the week. Hotel bars are also exempt from these restrictions and can serve registered hotel guests at any time of day.

You must be 21 to drink in Texas

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. While alcohol can be purchased and consumed seven days a week, there are specific rules in place for different types of alcoholic beverages and the locations where they can be bought.

Firstly, it is important to note that you must be 21 years old to drink in Texas. This is the legal drinking age in the state, and many drinking establishments in Austin also have this as their age requirement.

Now, let's look at the different types of alcoholic beverages and the days and times they can be purchased in Texas.

Beer and Wine

Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores, also known as off-premise license establishments, from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

On Sundays, the sale of beer and wine is allowed from 10 a.m. to midnight. This change was made in 2021, allowing for earlier purchases than the previous start time of noon.

Liquor

Liquor has stricter regulations and can only be purchased from specific liquor stores, also known as package stores. These stores are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the stores must remain closed the following Monday.

On-Premise Consumption

The consumption of alcohol on-premise, such as in bars or restaurants, also has specific rules. Alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, service is allowed from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

On Sundays, the rules vary depending on whether food is being served. If alcohol is being served with food, it can be served from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. If no food is being served, the service of alcohol is permitted from noon to 2 a.m.

Additionally, certain bars or restaurants with a "'late hours' permit" can serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any day of the week. Hotel bars can also serve registered guests at any time of day.

Special Considerations

It is important to note that Texas has what are known as "blue laws," which restrict the sale of certain items on specific days. These laws were originally designed to protect Sunday as a day of worship and encourage church attendance by limiting commercial activities. While many of these laws have been repealed, restrictions on alcohol sales remain.

Texas also has dry areas within the state, and counties and local jurisdictions are allowed to impose their own alcohol regulations or prohibitions.

In summary, while alcohol can be purchased and consumed in Texas at various times and locations, it is important to be mindful of the specific rules and regulations that apply to different types of alcoholic beverages and the establishments that sell them. As always, it is crucial to drink responsibly and abide by the legal drinking age of 21 years old in Texas.

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