Buying Beer In Georgia: Sunday Shopping Laws Explained

Alcohol sales laws in Georgia can be confusing, as local jurisdictions are allowed to set their own rules. While Georgia is not a dry state, it does have several dry counties where alcohol sales are prohibited. In most of Georgia, you can buy beer on Sundays, but the specific hours vary by jurisdiction. State law allows alcohol sales from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays, but counties can prohibit Sunday sales altogether. In Atlanta, for example, a recent measure allows alcohol sales from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Beer can be bought in Georgia on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m

Georgia's alcohol laws can be confusing, as local jurisdictions are allowed to set their own rules, which may be more restrictive than state laws. However, one thing is clear: you can buy beer in Georgia on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

This timeframe applies to off-premises consumption, meaning beer can be purchased from licensed retailers such as grocery stores, gas stations, and liquor stores during these hours. On-premise consumption regulations, on the other hand, are determined by each county and can vary. While some counties may prohibit Sunday alcohol sales altogether, others may have enacted a "`brunch bill`" that allows bars and restaurants to start serving alcohol as early as 11 a.m. on Sundays.

It's important to note that these rules do not apply across all municipalities in Georgia. Some counties are considered "dry counties," meaning they don't allow the retail sale of liquor at all. While consumers can legally drink alcohol in these counties, sales are prohibited. As of 2023, the dry counties in Georgia include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. White County is also dry, but the city of Helen is wet.

Additionally, counties can restrict permitted alcohol sale hours but cannot allow retail sales outside of the state-mandated timeframe. So, while you can buy beer in Georgia on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., it's always a good idea to check the local laws of the specific county you're in, as they may have more restrictive rules in place.

Some counties in Georgia do not allow the sale of beer on Sundays

Georgia is not a dry state, but it does have dry counties, which place restrictions on the type of alcohol that can be sold. While some counties restrict the times and places you can buy beer, wine, and spirits, others prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays altogether.

In 2011, cities and counties across Georgia voted on whether to continue the ban on Sunday liquor sales, and 105 out of 127 communities ended the ban. However, there are still some counties in Georgia that do not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays at any time. These include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White counties. Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption in bars and restaurants, but do not have a law against alcohol sales for off-site consumption.

The sale of alcohol in Georgia is regulated by state laws, which allow local jurisdictions to set more restrictive rules. Statewide, alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. However, individual counties can prohibit Sunday alcohol sales altogether. Additionally, counties can further restrict the hours for alcohol sales, but they cannot allow retail sales outside of the statewide timeframe.

The last call for bars varies from county to county, with no statewide set time for bars to close. The average closing time for bars in Georgia is 2 a.m., and some counties may require bars to close earlier.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Georgia can be confusing due to the variation between counties. While most of the state allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays, there are some counties that maintain more restrictive policies and prohibit Sunday sales altogether.

Atlanta allows beer sales from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays

Georgia's alcohol laws can be confusing as the state allows local jurisdictions to set their own rules. While the state government sets the earliest and latest sales times, individual counties can further restrict the sales hours.

In Atlanta, beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. This is a result of a measure passed by voters in 2022, which extended the hours for purchasing alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

Previously, in line with state law, alcohol could only be sold from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays in Georgia. However, some jurisdictions, including Atlanta, had already passed a "brunch bill" allowing bars and restaurants to serve alcohol from 11 a.m. on Sundays.

The new measure, which took effect in 2023, means that Atlanta residents and visitors can now purchase alcoholic beverages for a longer period on Sundays, aligning with the hours for on-premise consumption.

It is important to note that the sale of alcohol in Georgia is still subject to certain restrictions. For example, there are dry counties in Georgia where the retail sale of liquor is not allowed. Additionally, while Atlanta allows beer sales until midnight, other counties may have earlier closing times for alcohol sales.

Beer can be purchased in gas stations and convenience stores

For the rest of the state, the sale of beer is allowed on Sundays between 12:30 pm and 11:30 pm. On Mondays through Saturdays, beer can be sold from 8 am to 11:45 pm. These times may vary slightly depending on the county, as they can impose additional restrictions. For example, in the city of Atlanta, alcoholic beverages can be purchased from 11 am to midnight on Sundays.

It is worth noting that gas stations are not covered by the "brunch bill," which allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol as early as 11 am on Sundays. Additionally, convenience stores may sell beer and wine but not spirits or liquor, which are restricted to package or liquor stores.

Beer cannot be bought in Georgia 24/7

Licensed retailers are only permitted to sell alcohol at certain times. In Georgia, you can buy beer for off-premises consumption between 8:00 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, beer may be sold from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. On-premise consumption regulations vary by county. These times may change depending on the county, but counties cannot allow retail sales outside of the above times.

Some cities in Georgia have enacted a "'brunch bill'" that allows bars and restaurants to sell alcohol starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Additionally, some counties prohibit all alcohol sales on certain holidays, such as Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

While Georgia's alcohol laws can vary widely, the state generally allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., provided the local government does not disapprove. However, there are some counties in Georgia that do not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays at any time.

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