Sunday Beer Buying In Austin: What's The Deal?

Texas has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States, commonly referred to as blue laws. These laws prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, with additional restrictions on beer and wine sales. So, can you buy beer in Austin on a Sunday?

Beer and wine can be purchased in stores from 10 am to midnight on Sundays

If you're looking to purchase beer or wine in Austin, Texas, on a Sunday, you're in luck! You can buy beer and wine in stores from 10 am until midnight. This applies to grocery stores and convenience stores, which are your best bet on a Sunday as liquor stores are closed.

This change in the law, allowing Sunday sales of beer and wine to start at 10 am instead of noon, came into effect in Texas in 2021. It gives you greater flexibility to purchase alcohol on a Sunday. However, if you want to buy liquor on a Sunday, you're out of luck—it's prohibited. You'll have to wait until Monday morning at 10 am.

If you're planning to head to a bar or restaurant in Austin on a Sunday, they can serve all types of alcohol from 12 pm to 2 am. However, if you're ordering food with your drink, they can serve alcohol from 10 am.

It's important to note that Texas has complex liquor laws, and the legal drinking age is 21. So, make sure you're aware of the laws and drink responsibly!

Liquor stores are closed on Sundays

If you're looking to buy beer in Austin on a Sunday, you're in luck! Beer and wine can be purchased in stores between 10 a.m. and midnight on Sundays. This is a recent change, as previously, beer and wine sales on Sundays were restricted until noon.

However, it's important to note that liquor stores are closed on Sundays. According to Texas state law, liquor stores are only open from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. So, if you're specifically looking for liquor, you won't be able to purchase it from a liquor store on a Sunday in Austin or anywhere else in Texas.

This restriction on Sunday liquor sales is part of Texas's complex liquor laws, which can be confusing for both residents and visitors. Texas has specific regulations for the sale of different types of alcoholic beverages, and these laws vary depending on the day of the week. While grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine seven days a week, they are not allowed to sell liquor. Liquor can only be purchased from dedicated liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays.

In addition to Sundays, liquor stores in Texas are also closed on certain holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the stores must remain closed on the following Monday. These laws are a continuation of Texas's "Blue Laws," which historically aimed to protect Sunday as a day of worship by limiting commercial activities. While many of these laws have been repealed, restrictions on liquor sales remain in place.

Grocery and convenience stores sell beer and wine

Grocery and convenience stores in Austin, Texas, can sell beer and wine, but there are strict regulations in place. These stores are not permitted to sell liquor, and there are also specific hours for beer and wine sales.

From Monday to Friday, beer and wine can be sold from 7 a.m. until midnight in these stores. On Saturdays, sales can begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

In 2021, the laws regarding Sunday sales of beer and wine were updated, allowing sales to begin at 10 a.m., two hours earlier than the previous law. This means that on Sundays, beer and wine can be purchased from 10 a.m. until midnight.

It is important to note that these laws apply to beer and wine with an alcohol content of under 17 ABV. For wine with a higher alcohol content, different rules apply. A wine-only package store with a beer license cannot sell wine over 17% ABV on Sundays or after 10 p.m. on any day. If the store does not have a beer license, its operating hours must align with those of a regular liquor store, and it must remain closed on Sundays.

Liquor can only be bought from specific liquor stores

If you're looking to buy liquor in Austin, Texas, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, liquor can only be purchased from specific liquor stores, and these stores have restricted opening hours. While they are generally open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, they are closed on Sundays. So, if you're planning to buy liquor, make sure to plan ahead as Sunday purchases are not an option.

This restriction on Sunday liquor sales is part of Texas's complex liquor laws, which can be a bit tricky to navigate. The laws are designed to limit alcohol consumption and are strictly enforced. While grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine, they are not permitted to sell liquor. So, if you're looking for liquor, you'll need to find a designated liquor store.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) oversees these regulations and has specific guidelines in place. Liquor stores are required to remain closed on Sundays, as well as on certain holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the stores must also remain closed on the following Monday.

It's important to note that the laws regarding alcohol sales vary from state to state, and even within Texas, there may be additional local regulations. These laws have a long history, dating back to the state's first "Blue Laws" enacted in 1935, just two years after the end of federal Prohibition. While many of these laws have since been repealed, the restrictions on liquor sales have persisted.

So, if you're in Austin and wanting to purchase liquor, make sure to plan accordingly. Head to a designated liquor store during their permitted operating hours, and remember that Sunday is a no-go for liquor sales in the state of Texas.

Drinking establishments can serve alcohol from 12 pm to 2 am on Sundays

Drinking establishments in Austin, Texas, can serve alcohol from 12 pm to 2 am on Sundays. This includes bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues. However, if alcohol is being served with food, service can begin at 10 am.

Texas has complex liquor laws that vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. They operate from 10 am to 9 pm on the other days of the week.

Beer and wine can be purchased in grocery and convenience stores from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. On Mondays to Fridays, beer and wine are available from 7 am to midnight, and on Saturdays from 7 am to 1 am on Sunday morning.

The laws regarding alcohol sales on Sundays have evolved over time. In 2021, Texas updated the law to allow the sale of beer and wine from 10 am on Sundays, instead of noon. However, some counties or municipalities may have additional separate alcohol laws that are enforced on top of the state laws.

It's important to note that the legal drinking age in Texas is 21 years old, and consumption of alcohol outside of designated drinking establishments is prohibited.

Frequently asked questions