Chicago Beer Laws: Sunday Sales Explained

Chicago is known for its thriving craft beer scene, with a variety of breweries, distilleries, and wineries to choose from. However, if you're looking to purchase beer on a Sunday, there are a few things you should know about the city's liquor laws. In Chicago, the legal opening time for liquor establishments is typically 7 am from Monday to Saturday and 11 am on Sundays. While grocery stores can sell alcohol starting at 8 am on Sundays, liquor and convenience stores must wait until 11 am. Additionally, some bars and restaurants with the appropriate licenses may offer carry-out options for beer purchases after a certain time. It's always a good idea to check with individual establishments or delivery apps to understand their specific hours and offerings for purchasing beer on Sundays in Chicago.

Beer delivery apps in Chicago

Yes, it is possible to buy beer in Chicago on Sundays, but the specific timing depends on the type of store. Grocery stores and supermarkets can sell beer after 8 am, while liquor and convenience stores must wait until 11 am.

Now, if you're looking for a beer delivery app in Chicago, there are several options available:

Minibar Delivery

Minibar offers a robust selection of wine, spirits, beer, and mixers, as well as extras like flowers and glassware. You can expect delivery within 30 to 60 minutes, and there is a $5 delivery fee.

Instacart

Instacart allows you to shop for beer, wine, and liquor from various stores in Chicago, including Binny's Beverage Depot and Mariano's. Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35, and you can schedule deliveries as late as midnight.

Saucy

Saucy is perfect if you're looking for a particular bottle of booze, like a Japanese whiskey or vintage champagne. They also offer a range of extras, such as fresh citrus, mixers, chocolate bars, and cigars.

Spirit Hub

Spirit Hub is a craft-booze hub, offering spirits from independent craft distilleries across the country. It's an excellent place to discover new and unique products, like bourbon whiskey finished in maple syrup barrels.

Foxtrot

Foxtrot is a Chicago-born company with locations in West Loop, Lincoln Park, River North, and beyond. They offer a selection of local crafts, including beer, wine, and hard seltzer, as well as bespoke snacks and treats.

Drizly

Drizly guarantees delivery in under an hour, offering a wide variety of options and the ability to compare prices. You can also stock up on Chicago brands like Koval, Moody Tongue, and Letherbee.

Amazon PrimeNow

If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can browse Whole Foods' selection of wine, beer, and booze and have it delivered within your chosen delivery window.

So, whether you're looking for a specific craft beer, wanting to restock your bar with local favourites, or in need of a quick delivery, these apps have you covered for beer delivery in Chicago.

Chicago's alcohol licensing laws

Alcohol licensing laws in Chicago and the wider state of Illinois are governed by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC). These laws apply to manufacturers (breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, meaderies, and rectifiers), wholesalers or distributors, and retailers (both on-premise and off-premise).

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. The closing hour under a standard Consumption or Tavern liquor license is 2 am, Monday through Saturday, and 3 am on Sunday.

There are different classes of liquor licenses with varying restrictions. For example, Class A-1 is open from 10 am-4 am, 7 days a week, and is on-premise only. Class B is open from 7 am-midnight, Sunday-Thursday, and 7 am-2 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and is off-premise only.

In addition to these licensing laws, there are also regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol to consumers. For example, retailers may deliver alcoholic beverages to consumers' homes, but the consumer's age must be verified, and the delivery employee must have completed responsible alcohol service server training.

Chicago and Illinois have a thriving alcohol industry, with a popular craft beer scene, innovative distilleries, and award-winning wineries. The state is one of the few that allow the sale of alcohol in grocery stores, making it more widely available than in many other states.

Alcohol sales in grocery stores

The legal opening time for liquor establishments is 7 am, Monday to Saturday, and 11 am on Sundays. Restaurants with a Tavern license and a Retail Food License can begin selling alcohol at 9 am on Sundays. The closing hour under a standard Consumption or Tavern liquor license is 2 am, Monday to Saturday, and 3 am on Sunday.

Some retailers in Chicago have noted that certain stores may still follow the old rules voluntarily, with a gas station mentioned as an example of a business that may refuse to sell alcohol before 11 am on Sundays.

The state of Illinois is a significant player in the beverage alcohol industry, with a thriving craft beer scene, innovative distilleries, and award-winning wineries. The state has approximately 12.5 million people, with 9.3 million of them within the legal drinking age bracket. Illinois is the fifth-largest spirits market in the United States, generating over $5 billion in sales.

Alcohol sales in convenience stores

The legal opening time for liquor establishments is 7 am, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am on Sundays. Restaurants with a Tavern license and a Retail Food License can begin selling liquor at 9 am on Sundays. Additionally, there are different license types that allow for extended hours of alcohol sales. A Late Hour Liquor License permits establishments to remain open until 4 am Monday through Saturday and 5 am on Sunday.

It is worth noting that individual stores may choose to stop selling alcohol earlier than the legal limit. For instance, some convenience stores may stop selling alcohol at midnight, while others may choose to follow the old rules and refrain from selling alcohol before 11 am on Sundays.

Chicago's alcohol sales regulations are part of a broader context of Illinois' business-friendly liquor laws, which have contributed to the state's thriving craft beer, spirits, and wine industries.

Alcohol sales in bars and restaurants

There are different classes of liquor licenses, each with varying operating hours. For example, Class A-1 licenses allow establishments to operate from 10 am to 4 am daily, while Class B licenses permit operations from 7 am to midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 7 am to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bars and restaurants with a standard Consumption or Tavern liquor license must close by 2 am, Monday through Saturday, and 3 am on Sundays. However, they can obtain a Late Hour Liquor License to extend their operating hours until 4 am, Monday through Saturday, and 5 am on Sundays.

To obtain a Late Hour Liquor License, establishments must first hold a consumption or tavern liquor license. If there are 50 or more legal voters residing within 500 feet of the premises, written notice must be provided, and their consent obtained through a majority-signed petition. The application process also includes submitting an affidavit, posting a public notice, and providing written notice to the local alderman.

It's worth noting that Chicago allows the sale of alcohol in grocery stores, making it more accessible than in many other states. However, there are still some restrictions on the days and hours alcohol can be purchased from different types of retailers, with liquor and convenience stores generally restricted to selling alcohol after 11 am on Sundays.

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