Virginia's Sunday Noon Beer Buying Law Explained

Virginia has a myriad of laws regulating the sale of alcohol. The state prohibits the sale of alcohol between 12 am and 6 am from Sunday to Saturday. On Sundays, retailers located within 500 feet of a church are not allowed to sell alcohol before noon. Virginia is a control state, meaning that the state government regulates how distilled spirits are sold. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) maintains exclusive control over the state's spirits retail and wholesale operations. The state-run ABC stores that sell hard liquor are generally open from 10 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

Alcohol sales are permitted from 6 a.m. to midnight

Alcohol sales in Virginia are permitted from 6 a.m. to midnight, with some exceptions. This timeframe applies to both on-premise and off-premise locations, including restaurants, clubs, bars, breweries, taprooms, gas stations, and grocery stores. However, on-premise locations with a mixed beverage license, such as bars and restaurants, are allowed to stay open until 2 a.m. and sell alcohol during those extended hours.

These laws apply every day of the week, including Sundays, although there are some additional restrictions for Sunday sales. Retailers located within 500 feet of a church are prohibited from selling alcohol before noon on Sundays. Additionally, some counties in Virginia are considered "dry," meaning there are stricter regulations or even a complete ban on alcohol sales. For example, nine counties in Virginia prohibit the retail sale of distilled spirits, but this restriction does not include beer.

Virginia has a history of strict alcohol regulations, known as Blue Laws, which have been gradually relaxed in recent years. For instance, it was only in 2012 that Sunday sales of alcohol were legalised in the state. The state also has unique regulations for selling alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing licensed merchants to sell to-go cocktails and extending the hours for alcohol sales at special events.

On-premise locations with a mixed beverage license can sell until 2 a.m

Virginia's alcohol laws can be quite confusing, especially when it comes to the permitted hours of sale. The state has strict regulations in place that govern the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and these laws vary for different types of establishments and locations. Here's a detailed overview of the rules pertaining to on-premise locations with a mixed beverage license:

On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, that have obtained a mixed beverage license are allowed to sell alcohol beyond midnight. Specifically, these establishments are authorised to sell alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. every day, including Sundays. This extended timeframe provides patrons with the opportunity to continue their social gatherings or dining experiences while enjoying their preferred drinks. It also enables these businesses to cater to a wider range of customers, including those who prefer to socialise later in the evening.

However, it is important to note that this privilege of extended hours is exclusively granted to on-premise locations that possess a mixed beverage license. These licenses are not easily obtained, and establishments must meet stringent requirements to qualify. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) is responsible for overseeing the licensing process and ensuring that only eligible businesses receive this extension.

The hours of sale for on-premise locations without a mixed beverage license differ. In general, establishments without this specific license are restricted to selling alcohol within the standard timeframe, which is 6 a.m. to midnight. This means that they cannot serve alcoholic beverages past midnight, and patrons seeking to continue their consumption will need to transition to locations with the appropriate licensing.

It is worth mentioning that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about some temporary changes to these regulations. During the pandemic, to support struggling businesses, Virginia allowed licensed merchants to sell to-go cocktails and provided extensions for the sale of alcoholic beverages at outdoor special events. These measures were intended to be temporary, and as the state transitioned out of the pandemic, these exceptions were re-evaluated and gradually phased out.

In conclusion, while Virginia's alcohol laws can be complex, the state does provide certain establishments with the flexibility to sell alcohol until 2 a.m. Obtaining a mixed beverage license is crucial for on-premise locations seeking to take advantage of these extended hours. Patrons who wish to socialise and consume alcohol beyond midnight are advised to frequent bars, restaurants, or clubs with the appropriate licensing to avoid disappointment.

Virginia is not a dry state, but nine counties are

In 2019, the General Assembly made all counties "wet" unless local voters in a referendum decided to keep it "dry." As of 2016, there were 100% "dry" counties in Virginia, including Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Montgomery, and Patrick. However, since then, some counties have held referendums to allow the sale of alcohol. For example, in 2016, Russell County voters approved the sale of alcohol in the Town of Lebanon.

While Virginia is not a dry state, there are still some restrictions on alcohol sales. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) regulates the sale of distilled spirits, and alcohol sales are restricted between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in localities where the sale of mixed beverages has been authorized. In all other localities, alcohol sales are restricted between midnight and 6 a.m. Additionally, retailers located within 500 feet of a church cannot sell alcohol on Sundays before noon.

Gas stations and grocery stores can sell beer and wine

Virginia's laws on alcohol sales are quite specific. The state is one of 17 control states, which means the government regulates how alcohol, especially spirits, are sold. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is tasked with ensuring that alcohol is consumed responsibly by adults in safe environments and that retailers comply with the state's laws.

The laws for on-premise alcohol retailers, such as bars and restaurants, are slightly different. With a mixed beverage license, these establishments can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am every day. Without the license, they must stop serving alcohol at midnight.

Additionally, there are some restrictions on Sunday sales. While alcohol can be purchased on Sundays, sales are restricted between 12 am and 6 am. Retailers located within 500 feet of a church are not allowed to sell alcohol before noon on Sundays.

It is important to note that Virginia has nine dry counties where the sale of distilled spirits is illegal, but this law does not include beer.

Alcohol sales are restricted on Sundays between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m

Virginia's alcohol sales laws can be tricky, especially when it comes to Sundays. The state does allow alcohol sales on Sundays, which is a change from previous years when Sunday sales were prohibited. However, there are still some restrictions in place for Sunday sales.

One of the main restrictions is that alcohol sales are prohibited between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Sundays. This restriction applies to both on-premise and off-premise locations. On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, are typically allowed to sell alcohol until 2 a.m. with a mixed beverage license, but they must abide by the 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. restriction on Sundays. Off-premise locations, like grocery stores and gas stations, usually sell alcohol until midnight, and they must also follow this Sunday restriction.

In addition to the restricted hours on Sundays, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Firstly, retailers located within 500 feet of a church are not allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays before noon. Secondly, Virginia has nine dry counties where the sale of distilled spirits is illegal, although this restriction does not apply to beer. Finally, some localities have different rules for the sale of mixed beverages, with on-premise sales and consumption prohibited from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., and off-premise sales prohibited from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.

While Virginia's alcohol sales laws have evolved over the years, the state still has some restrictions in place, particularly for Sunday sales. It's important to be mindful of these laws to ensure compliance and maintain a safe environment for alcohol consumption.

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