Buying Beer And Liquor In South Carolina: What's The Deal?

South Carolina has strict alcohol laws, with varying regulations for the sale of beer, wine, and liquor. While there are no dry counties in the state, each county has different rules regarding the sale of alcohol, with some allowing 24/7 sales and others enforcing time restrictions. Liquor stores are permitted to sell to customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sunday sales are banned by state law. However, certain counties and cities have passed referendums to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine. This complex landscape of alcohol regulations in South Carolina makes it important for residents and visitors to be aware of the specific rules in their area.

Liquor laws in South Carolina

The alcohol laws in South Carolina have evolved over time, with the state previously endorsing prohibition in 1892, only to replace it with a "Dispensary System" of state-owned liquor stores. Today, South Carolina has a more nuanced approach to regulating alcohol sales and consumption.

Retail Liquor Sales

In South Carolina, the retail sale of liquor is standardised across the state and permitted from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday. Sunday sales of liquor are prohibited by state law, creating a uniform restriction.

County and City Variations

While there are no dry counties in South Carolina, certain counties and cities have implemented their own regulations. Some areas have passed referendums permitting the sale of beer and wine on Sundays, with variations in the permitted hours. For example, in Pickens County, there are time restrictions on beer and wine sales, while in Charleston, these sales are allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

On-Premise and Off-Premise Sales

The laws differentiate between on-premise and off-premise sales. On-premise sales refer to establishments like bars and restaurants, while off-premise sales involve purchasing alcohol from stores to consume elsewhere. On-premise sales of beer and wine are allowed in certain counties and cities from 12 am to 2 am or 10 am to 11:59 pm on Sundays, depending on local laws. This also applies to restaurants and hotels serving liquor by the drink.

Purchasing Alcohol after 11 pm

Bars and restaurants are generally permitted to sell alcohol until 2 am, providing ample options for those looking for a late-night drink. However, there was a temporary restriction during the COVID-19 pandemic, where an executive order prohibited alcohol sales after 11 pm at bars and restaurants to discourage social gatherings. This order was lifted in March 2021, returning to the standard 2 am cutoff.

Buying Alcohol in Grocery and Convenience Stores

South Carolina allows for the purchase of beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores, providing a convenient option for consumers. These establishments can sell beer and wine 24 hours a day, but only from Monday through Saturday, unless they have a 7-day license.

Online Liquor Purchasing

Online liquor purchasing in South Carolina is a complex issue, with conflicting information from different sources. While some websites claim to ship to the state, others refuse service to South Carolina addresses due to legal uncertainties. There are reports of individuals successfully ordering liquor online, but the legality of these transactions is questionable, as some suggest it requires a retail license.

Minibottles

Before 2006, South Carolina had a unique law requiring cocktails and liquor drinks to be mixed using minibottles, similar to those found on airplanes. This law was changed in 2006 to allow both free-pour and minibottles, and most bars opted for free-pour.

In summary, the liquor laws in South Carolina include standardised retail liquor sales hours, county and city variations, distinctions between on-premise and off-premise sales, purchasing options in grocery and convenience stores, and evolving regulations regarding online sales and serving practices.

Buying beer and liquor in South Carolina on Sundays

South Carolina's Sunday liquor laws vary depending on the location. While Sunday sales of beer and liquor are banned by state law, certain counties and cities have passed their own referendums permitting Sunday sales.

Counties and Cities Allowing Sunday Sales

The following counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer and wine on Sundays: Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland (unincorporated areas only), Spartanburg, York, Lancaster, and Lexington.

Hours for Sunday Sales

On-premise sales of beer and wine in qualifying counties are allowed from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., depending on local laws. Restaurants and hotels serving liquor by the drink follow the same hours.

Liquor stores are allowed to open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, provided that the county or city council agrees to put the idea to a public vote, and it receives majority approval.

Buying Beer and Liquor on Other Days

On Mondays to Saturdays, hotels and restaurants with a license can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Liquor stores are permitted to sell to customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., while grocery or convenience stores can sell beer and wine 24 hours a day.

Dry Counties and Days

While there are no dry counties in South Carolina, there are laws restricting the purchase of beer and liquor at certain times. For example, Pickens County does not allow sales of beer and wine after 2 a.m., while Charleston permits sales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, beer cannot be purchased on Christmas Day.

Buying liquor online in South Carolina

South Carolina has strict laws regarding the sale and distribution of alcohol. The state follows the three-tier distribution system, which regulates the alcohol industry in the United States by creating clear distinctions between manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. While you can buy beer and wine at most grocery stores, liquor is only sold at licensed liquor stores.

In terms of online liquor purchasing in South Carolina, the information is inconsistent. Some sources claim that shipping alcohol into the state is illegal, while others state that certain websites, such as ReserveBar, BottleRepublic, and Blackwell's Wines, ship to South Carolina. According to a comment on a Reddit thread, ReserveBar operates within South Carolina, which is why they can ship to SC addresses. However, it is important to note that only certain bottles on their website are authorized for shipment to the state.

Another comment mentions that South Carolina is one of the few states where it is illegal to ship beer, wine, or spirits directly from the producer to the consumer. Only SC-licensed establishments are permitted to sell alcohol to consumers. However, there is a loophole where consumers can purchase directly from producers if the product is solely made and bottled in South Carolina.

In February 2024, a bill was passed in the South Carolina House that would allow alcohol delivery to South Carolina homes. The legislation would let people over 21 order beer, wine, or liquor directly from retailers or through third-party apps like Doordash and Uber Eats. This bill has yet to be voted on by the state Senate.

Until the bill is passed, the inconsistent information from various sources makes it challenging to determine the legality of online liquor purchasing in South Carolina. It may be advisable to refer to the official state laws and regulations or contact the relevant authorities for clarification.

Buying beer and wine in South Carolina on Sundays

South Carolina's Sunday liquor laws vary depending on the location. While the sale of beer and wine is banned on Sundays in most of the state, certain counties and cities have passed their own referendums permitting Sunday sales.

Counties and Cities Permitting Sunday Sales

The following counties allow Sunday sales of beer and wine:

• Abbeville
• Berkeley
• Beaufort
• Charleston
• Darlington
• Dorchester
• Georgetown
• Greenwood
• Horry
• McCormick
• Newberry
• Oconee
• Richland (unincorporated areas only)
• York

Lancaster and Lexington counties permit Sunday sales in cities with referendums.

The following cities and towns have passed laws allowing Sunday beer and wine sales:

• Columbia
• Spartanburg
• Charleston
• Greenville
• Aiken
• Rock Hill
• Summerville
• Santee
• Daniel Island
• Clemson
• Hardeeville
• Tega Cay

On-Premise and Off-Premise Sales

On-premise sales of beer and wine in qualifying counties are allowed either from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., depending on local laws. The same applies to restaurants and hotels serving liquor by the drink.

For off-premise sales, you can visit a local gas station or grocery store to purchase beer and wine on Sundays.

Liquor Sales

Liquor purchases are generally restricted to licensed liquor stores and are not available in grocery stores. Liquor stores are typically open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. However, the South Carolina House has recently approved a bill allowing liquor stores to open for a few hours on Sundays if their local governments permit it. This bill aims to modernise outdated rules influenced by religious beliefs, boost business, and cater to tourists.

Buying liquor in gas stations in South Carolina

South Carolina has a three-tier alcohol distribution system, which regulates the alcohol industry by creating clear distinctions among manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. While the state does not control liquor distribution, it has specific laws regarding the sale of beer, wine, and liquor.

You cannot buy liquor in gas stations in South Carolina. Liquor purchases can only be made at licensed liquor stores throughout the state. These stores are permitted to sell to customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, liquor sales are banned by state law, although there are ongoing discussions to allow Sunday sales.

However, if you are looking for beer or wine, you can find those at gas stations and grocery stores. Beer and wine can be purchased 24 hours a day, but only Monday through Saturday, as most of the state prohibits alcohol sales at both on-premise and off-premise locations on Sundays.

Some counties in South Carolina have passed their own referendums to permit on-premise and/or off-premise sales on Sundays. Businesses in these counties can apply for a 7-day license. On-premise sales of beer and wine are allowed from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., depending on local laws.

It is important to note that South Carolina has a history of strict alcohol laws. Voters endorsed prohibition in 1892, and while they did not get it, they instead received the ""Dispensary System" of state-owned liquor stores, which soon became symbols of political corruption.

Frequently asked questions