Chicago's Morning Beer Buying: What's The Deal?

Chicago has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, with liquor stores unable to sell alcohol after midnight. The legal opening time for all liquor establishments is 7 am, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am on Sundays. Grocery stores or supermarkets can sell alcohol from 8 am on Sundays, but liquor or convenience stores must wait until 11 am.

Chicago liquor stores can sell alcohol from 7 am on weekdays and 11 am on Sundays

Chicago's liquor laws have changed over the years, with the city imposing a 9 pm liquor store curfew during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was later pushed to 11 pm and then permanently set at midnight. This change was part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's "Chi Biz Strong" ordinance, which aimed to help businesses recover from COVID-19 losses. While bars and restaurants are exempt from this ordinance and can continue to serve alcohol late into the evening, liquor stores in Chicago are currently only allowed to sell alcohol between 7 am and midnight, Monday through Saturday, and from 11 am to midnight on Sundays.

On weekdays, liquor stores in Chicago can start selling alcohol as early as 7 am. However, on Sundays, there is a restriction in place that delays the sale of alcohol until 11 am. This means that if you're looking to purchase beer or any other type of alcoholic beverage from a liquor store in Chicago before 11 am on a Sunday, you will have to wait until the designated opening time.

It's worth noting that these regulations only apply to packaged goods sold at liquor stores and not to establishments like bars and restaurants, which can still serve alcohol beyond these hours. Additionally, grocery stores in Chicago are allowed to sell alcohol after 8 am on Sundays, providing some flexibility for early risers or those looking to stock up for the week.

While the current regulations allow liquor sales from 7 am on weekdays, it's always a good idea to check the operating hours of your local liquor store, as they may choose to open later than the permitted time. Additionally, some liquor stores in Chicago may voluntarily adhere to the old rules, resulting in varied opening times, especially on Sundays.

Grocery stores can sell alcohol from 8 am on Sundays

Alcohol sales laws can be confusing, especially in a city like Chicago, where the laws have changed in recent years. So, let's clarify the situation regarding buying beer in Chicago before 11 am.

As of 2021, Chicago implemented a midnight cutoff for alcohol sales at liquor stores. This means that packaged alcohol sales are not permitted beyond midnight. However, this law does not apply to bars and restaurants, which can continue to serve alcohol beyond midnight. The legal opening time for liquor establishments is 7 am, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am on Sundays.

Now, here's where it gets a bit more nuanced. Grocery stores in Chicago are allowed to sell alcohol starting at 8 am on Sundays. This is a change from previous years, when alcohol sales before 11 am on Sundays were prohibited. This change in law specifically applies to grocery stores and supermarkets, allowing them to sell alcohol from 8 am onwards on Sundays.

It's important to note that this 8 am rule for grocery stores only applies to Sundays. On other days of the week, liquor establishments, including grocery stores, are allowed to open at 7 am. Additionally, this rule does not apply to liquor or convenience stores, which must adhere to the 11 am opening time on Sundays.

Chicago's alcohol sales laws have evolved over time, with the city previously imposing a 9 pm liquor store curfew during the pandemic, which was later pushed to 11 pm and then to midnight. These changes were implemented to address public health concerns and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In summary, if you're looking to buy beer in Chicago before 11 am on a Sunday, your best bet is to head to a grocery store or supermarket, as they are permitted to sell alcohol starting at 8 am. Liquor and convenience stores will have to wait until 11 am to open their doors for alcohol sales. On other days of the week, liquor establishments are allowed to operate from 7 am onwards.

Liquor stores are banned from selling alcohol after midnight in Chicago

Chicago has a thriving craft beer scene, innovative distilleries, and award-winning wineries. The city's liquor laws have recently undergone some changes, with an emphasis on striking a balance between the needs of businesses and the well-being of the community.

An important change to note is the ban on liquor sales after midnight in Chicago. This applies specifically to packaged goods sold at liquor stores and does not include bars or restaurants, which can still serve alcohol beyond midnight. The legal opening time for liquor establishments is 7 am, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am on Sundays. This ban was implemented as a measure to curb crime and prevent loitering outside stores, with Mayor Lori Lightfoot originally proposing a 10 pm cutoff time.

The new midnight curfew is part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's "Chi Biz Strong" ordinance, which aims to aid businesses in recovering from COVID-19 losses. This initiative includes various business-friendly measures such as grant-funded financial and debt relief, increased wage theft protections, and a cap on fees charged by third-party delivery services.

While some liquor store owners have expressed concern about losing customers to nearby suburbs with later cutoff times, bar owners believe the ordinance could benefit them by encouraging patrons to opt for late-night drinks at their establishments instead of purchasing alcohol from stores.

These changes to Chicago's liquor laws are part of a broader effort to create a safe and vibrant city while supporting businesses and addressing community concerns.

Bars and restaurants are exempt from the midnight liquor sales ban

Chicago's liquor laws have changed in recent years, with the city imposing a 9 pm liquor store curfew during the height of the pandemic in 2020, which was later pushed to 11 pm and then to midnight in 2021. This was a controversial decision, with some liquor store owners worried about losing business to nearby suburbs with later cut-off times, such as Oak Park and Berwyn, which permit sales until 1 am, and even 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays in the case of the latter.

However, the midnight ban on liquor sales in Chicago does not apply to bars and restaurants, which are still able to serve alcohol late into the evening. This exemption has been welcomed by bar owners, who believe that it could give them more business. For example, a late-night worker will no longer be able to pick up a six-pack of beer at a store to consume at home, and a bar will be a more enticing option.

The legal opening time for all liquor establishments in Chicago is 7 am, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am on Sundays. Restaurants (or Tavern licensees with a Retail Food License) can begin selling liquor at 9 am on Sundays. Establishments with a Consumption or Tavern License can apply for a Late Hour Liquor License to remain open beyond the standard closing hour of 2 am, Monday through Saturday, and 3 am on Sundays. With a Late Hour Liquor License, they are permitted to remain open until 4 am Monday through Saturday and 5 am on Sundays.

Chicago is one of the few states that allow alcohol sales in grocery stores

However, it's worth noting that there are some exceptions to these rules. For example, some sources suggest that grocery stores in Chicago can sell alcohol from 8 am on Sundays, and that this rule was changed recently. Additionally, some stores may still follow the old rules voluntarily, with a nearby gas station refusing to sell alcohol before 11 am on Sundays, despite a nearby grocery store doing so.

Chicago has also banned liquor sales after midnight, with packaged goods no longer available after this time. This was implemented as part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's "Chi Biz Strong" ordinance, which aimed to help businesses recover from COVID-19 losses. While this ordinance initially set the liquor sales cutoff at 10 pm, it was later pushed back to midnight.

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