Tennessee's alcohol laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to buying beer. The state allows the sale of beer in retail stores, including grocery stores, from Monday to Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 11 p.m. On Sundays, beer sales in grocery stores are permitted between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. It's important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, so it's best to stock up the day before if you plan to drink on those days. Additionally, Tennessee has a patchwork of county-specific laws, and some counties have restrictions on alcohol sales, so it's always a good idea to check the local regulations as well.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Days of the week beer can be bought in grocery stores | Monday to Saturday |
Time beer can be bought in grocery stores on weekdays | 8 am to 11 pm |
Time beer can be bought in grocery stores on Sundays | 10 am to 11 pm |
Days beer cannot be bought in grocery stores | Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter |
What You'll Learn
- Beer can be purchased from grocery stores in Tennessee on Sundays between 10 am and 11 pm
- Alcohol sales are not permitted on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter
- Bars and restaurants may sell beer until 3 am
- Only restaurants that do not sell alcohol can stay open 24 hours
- The minimum drinking age in Tennessee is 21
Beer can be purchased from grocery stores in Tennessee on Sundays between 10 am and 11 pm
Tennessee's alcohol laws can be confusing, and the state has historically had some of the most restrictive alcohol regulations in the US. However, in recent years, the state has relaxed its liquor laws. In 2016, grocery and convenience stores were permitted to sell wine for the first time. Then, in 2017, a law was passed allowing grocery stores to sell high-gravity beers, which were previously only available at liquor stores and licensed bars and restaurants.
In 2019, the state took another step towards liberalisation by allowing the sale of wine and liquor in grocery and retail stores on Sundays. Grocery stores are now permitted to sell beer, wine, and liquor from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays. These laws also apply to liquor stores.
However, alcohol sales are still prohibited on certain holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Additionally, grocery and liquor stores are not permitted to sell alcohol before 10 am on Sundays.
It is worth noting that Tennessee has a patchwork of county-by-county laws, and some counties have their own restrictions on alcohol sales. While Tennessee is not a dry state, it does have a number of dry counties that prohibit or greatly restrict alcohol sales.
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Alcohol sales are not permitted on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter
Alcohol sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter in Tennessee. This applies to grocery stores and liquor stores, so if you're planning a party or get-together on these holidays, you'll need to stock up on beer and liquor the day before.
The laws regarding alcohol sales in Tennessee can be confusing, and it's important to stay informed to avoid any legal issues. While the sale of alcohol is prohibited on the three major holidays mentioned, it is allowed on other federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.
It's worth noting that the laws regarding alcohol sales in Tennessee have evolved over time. In 2023, the Tennessee legislature approved a bill that allowed liquor stores to be open on Sundays and for grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays as well. This change was expected to increase state and local revenues. However, alcohol sales on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter remained prohibited even after this bill was passed.
In addition to the restrictions on sales during certain holidays, it's important to be mindful of other alcohol-related laws in Tennessee. These include the legal drinking age, which is 21, and open container laws, which prohibit possessing open containers of alcohol in vehicles and certain public areas.
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Bars and restaurants may sell beer until 3 am
Tennessee's alcohol laws can be quite confusing, especially when it comes to the permitted hours of sale. Here's a detailed overview of the rules regarding the sale of beer in bars and restaurants in the state of Tennessee.
Bars and Restaurants Beer Sales Hours in Tennessee:
- Bars and restaurants in Tennessee are permitted to sell beer from 8 am to 3 am, Monday through Saturday.
- On Sundays, the sale of beer in bars and restaurants is allowed between 10 am and 3 am.
- It is important to note that these establishments cannot sell beer before 10 am on Sundays and are prohibited from selling any alcohol on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- Additionally, bars in Tennessee are required to close their doors by 3 am at the latest every day. However, some bars may choose to close earlier at their own discretion or based on the volume of customers.
Other Key Alcohol Regulations in Tennessee:
- The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21 years old, and it is strictly enforced in bars and restaurants.
- Tennessee has specific regulations prohibiting the service of alcohol to minors in bars and restaurants, even in the presence and with the permission of a parent or guardian.
- Open container laws in Tennessee prohibit possessing an open container of alcohol in the seating area of a vehicle, including parked cars. Limousines are exempt from this law, but the driver's compartment is still subject to the restriction.
- Alcohol sales are not permitted on certain major holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Make sure to stock up the day before if you plan to serve alcohol during these holidays.
- Liquor stores in Tennessee are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays between 10 am and 11 pm.
- Grocery stores in Tennessee are permitted to sell wine on Sundays, typically from 10 am to 11 pm, starting on January 6, 2019.
Remember to always drink responsibly and abide by the alcohol laws in your state.
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Only restaurants that do not sell alcohol can stay open 24 hours
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In Brevard County, Florida, bars and restaurants are allowed to sell alcohol 24/7 after county commissioners voted to lift sale restrictions from 2:00 am to 7:00 am. However, this does not apply to places inside city limits such as Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, and Melbourne.
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The minimum drinking age in Tennessee is 21
Anyone selling alcohol is required by law to check the ID of anyone who does not appear to be over 50. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, driver's license, or ID card. Selling alcohol to a minor is a Class A misdemeanour.
The minimum drinking age is enforced in bars and restaurants, where it is illegal to serve alcohol to anyone under 21. This is true even if the minor is with a parent or guardian who gives permission.
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