Buying Beer And Liquor: Cleveland, Ga's Rules

The sale of alcohol in Georgia is regulated at the federal level by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and at the state level by The Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. While the state is not dry, certain counties in Georgia are dry counties, meaning retail liquor sales are illegal in those jurisdictions. Cleveland, Georgia, is located in White County, which is a dry county. However, the city of Helen, also in White County, is not. This means that the sale of alcohol in Cleveland, Georgia, is restricted.

Beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores in Cleveland, GA

The sale of alcohol in Georgia is regulated by the Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue, which oversees manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. All businesses dealing with alcohol in Georgia must be licensed.

The hours for selling alcohol vary in Georgia. Off-premise consumption of alcohol is allowed from 7 AM to 11:45 PM, while on-premise consumption is permitted from 11 AM to 11:45 PM for bars and restaurants. On Sundays, alcohol sales are restricted to between 12:30 PM and 11:30 PM.

It is important to note that local jurisdictions in Georgia can set more restrictive rules for alcohol sales, so the specific regulations may differ in Cleveland, GA. Additionally, there are some "`dry counties`" in Georgia where retail liquor sales are illegal.

Liquor is restricted to specially permitted package stores in Georgia

While beer and wine are allowed for sale in retail establishments like grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations in Georgia, liquor is restricted to specially permitted package stores. These package stores are also known as liquor stores.

In the City of Cleveland, Georgia, a sealed Package Store License Application and a non-refundable application fee of $2,000 are required to obtain a liquor license. The application and fee are to be submitted to the City of Cleveland, which then reviews all applications and notifies applicants of their qualification status for the lottery drawing. Up to three applicants are then selected for licensure via a lottery drawing.

Liquor sales are also restricted in Georgia in terms of timing and location. For instance, liquor sales are prohibited within 100 yards of any church building or within 200 yards of any school building, educational building, school grounds, or college campus.

Alcohol sales hours vary by jurisdiction in Georgia

The state of Georgia allows local jurisdictions to set their own rules for alcohol sales, which can make the state's liquor laws confusing for consumers.

On-Premises Alcohol Sales

From Monday to Saturday, bars and restaurants in Georgia can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m. the following day. On Sundays, they can sell alcohol from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Some jurisdictions have a brunch law that allows bars and restaurants to begin serving alcohol at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Off-Premises Alcohol Sales

From Monday to Saturday, gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores, breweries, and taprooms can sell alcohol from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. On Sundays, these retailers can sell alcohol from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Cleveland, Georgia

The city of Cleveland, Georgia, is located in White County, which is a dry county. However, the city of Helen, also in White County, is wet. This means that alcohol sales are allowed in Cleveland, but the hours may be more restricted than in other parts of the state.

Cleveland has a lottery system for granting liquor licenses to retailers. The city accepts applications for package store licenses, which allow the sale of distilled spirits, and beer and wine licenses. The city reviews the applications and selects up to three applicants through a lottery drawing.

Georgia has some dry counties where retail liquor sales are illegal

Georgia has a complex relationship with alcohol, and its liquor laws can be confusing. While the state is not dry, it does have some dry counties where retail liquor sales are illegal. These laws are a hangover from the days of Prohibition, and they mean that you can't purchase spirits in certain parts of the state.

Cleveland, Georgia, is located in White County, which is one of the dry counties in Georgia. White County prohibits the sale of distilled spirits for retail and on-site consumption, with the exception of the city of Helen, which is wet. This means that in Cleveland, you cannot buy liquor in stores, but you may be able to purchase beer and wine at certain licensed businesses. The City of Cleveland has been accepting applications for beer and wine licenses, as well as package store licenses for liquor sales.

As of 2023, there were nine dry counties in Georgia, including Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption in bars and restaurants but do not have laws against off-site consumption. Upson County is the opposite, prohibiting retail alcohol sales but permitting alcohol service in bars and restaurants.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Georgia can vary by jurisdiction, and local jurisdictions are allowed to set more restrictive rules. For example, while alcohol sales are generally allowed until 11:45 pm, individual jurisdictions may restrict these hours further. Additionally, some counties in Georgia do not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays at any time.

Alcohol can be delivered to your residence in Georgia

Beer, wine, and liquor can be delivered by grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, as well as by retail package stores and restaurants. However, delivery of alcoholic beverages by on-premises retailers, such as bars and restaurants, is prohibited. They may, however, sell mixed drinks for off-premises consumption in approved containers for takeout or curbside pickup.

Alcoholic beverages can only be sold for delivery during the permitted sales hours, which vary by jurisdiction. In Georgia, alcohol sales hours are typically from 8 am to 11:45 pm Monday through Saturday and 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Sundays. Deliveries must be completed on the same day as the sale and the alcoholic beverages must leave the licensed premises of the retailer.

There are also specific requirements for delivery drivers. They must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid Georgia driver's license, and undergo a criminal background check. Additionally, they must complete a mandatory delivery training course approved by the Department of Revenue and pass an examination.

When it comes to the city of Cleveland, Georgia, the local government website mentions that businesses can apply for Beer & Wine and/or Distilled Spirits Licenses. This indicates that alcohol sales and distribution are allowed in the city, but specific regulations and restrictions may apply.

Several alcohol delivery services operate in Georgia, such as Instacart and Minibar Delivery, which allow you to order beer, wine, and liquor from local retailers and have them delivered to your door. These services typically require the customer to provide a valid ID upon delivery to verify their age.

Frequently asked questions